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Subletting a Lease — What Residents Need to Know

Subletting sounds simple on paper: someone takes over your place, pays you, and you keep your lease. In reality, it’s one of the riskiest moves a resident can make — and in almost all cases, it’s strictly prohibited under our lease agreements.

This article explains our policies, why subletting is so dangerous, and what legitimate alternatives exist if a resident needs to move before their lease ends.

1. Subletting Defined (and Why It’s a Problem)

A sublet happens when the original resident brings in a replacement occupant while staying financially and legally responsible for the lease. That means:

  • You’re still responsible for rent.

  • You’re still liable for damages.

  • You’re still responsible for code violations and HOA fines.

  • You’re still responsible if they cause legal problems.

  • They are not screened.

  • We don’t have a contract with them, but we cannot legally remove them without involving you.

All of this creates massive risk for both you and the property owner—this is why our leases always forbid subletting.

2. When Someone Else Wants to Sublet Our Property

Sometimes a non-MoveZen resident reaches out because they’re in a lease elsewhere and want us to help them find a replacement occupant.

Our Policy

We do not offer this service directly because:

  • Most standard leases prohibit subletting or lease transfers.

  • Most apartment communities never approve them.

  • We cannot legally advertise a property we do not manage without written approval from the landlord.

What They Can Do

If the landlord wants to approve a release-and-replace process, they may:

  1. Contact us directly.

  2. Provide written authorization to market the property.

  3. Provide the exact terms of the lease transfer or replacement.

Once that happens, we may assist with advertising and replacement screening.
But the landlord must be the one driving the process — not the resident.

3. When a MoveZen Resident Wants to Sublet Their Place

This is the most common scenario — and the most dangerous for the resident.

Our Position (Strict)

Subletting is always forbidden in our leases.
There are no exceptions, and for good reason:

  • You retain all liability, even if you no longer live in the home.

  • You can lose your deposit instantly if the subletter damages anything.

  • You are responsible for eviction costs if things go sideways.

  • You can be held responsible for unauthorized occupants by HOAs, neighborhoods, or municipalities.

  • Insurance coverage may be voided.

It’s one of the fastest ways for a resident to create thousands of dollars in liability with no real upside.

If You Need to Move Early

Life happens. Jobs change. Breakups occur. Family emergencies come up.
We handle early lease-breaks routinely and know how to make the process as smooth as possible.

Our alternative is simply safer and more transparent for everyone:

  • You notify us early.

  • We walk you through the break-lease steps.

  • We re-list the home quickly using our standard marketing and 3D tours.

  • Once a new resident takes possession, your financial obligation ends.

It’s not painless — but it is predictable, legal, and fair.

4. Why Subletting Is Banned (Short Version)

  • Unscreened occupants create risk for owners, neighbors, and the resident themselves.

  • No contract exists between MoveZen and the subletter, so we cannot enforce rules or remove them.

  • Full liability remains with the original resident until the lease ends.

  • Insurance may deny claims if unauthorized occupants are involved.

  • Local laws and HOAs may treat the subletter as a violator, and all penalties fall on the original resident.

Subletting doesn’t reduce risk — it multiplies it.

5. What To Do Instead

If you’re a MoveZen resident needing to move early:

  • Contact us through your portal.

  • We’ll outline the lease-break process.

  • We’ll help you minimize costs and stress.

If you’re not our resident but need help advertising your current rental:

  • Have your landlord contact us directly with written approval.

  • We’ll review whether we can assist.

6. Summary

Subletting seems like a shortcut, but it usually leads to more risk, cost, and liability — and our leases always forbid it.

If you need to move before your lease ends, we handle that process frequently and will help you through it. It may not be fun, but it’s absolutely manageable — and far safer than subletting.

Life happens. We’re here to help, just not through sublets.