How to Find Someone to Take Over Your Lease

If you need to leave your apartment before your lease ends, finding someone to take over your lease is often the cheapest and cleanest way out. Instead of paying thousands in early termination fees, you hand the keys to a qualified replacement and walk away.

But it's not as simple as posting on Craigslist and hoping for the best. Here's the full process — from finding a replacement to getting your landlord on board.

Sublease vs. Lease Assignment: Know the Difference

These two terms get used interchangeably, but they are very different legally:

Sublease

• You stay on the lease as the primary tenant
• The subletter pays you, and you pay the landlord
• You are still responsible if the subletter doesn't pay
• Your landlord's relationship is still with you, not the subletter

Lease Assignment (Takeover)

• The new tenant replaces you on the lease entirely
• They sign a new agreement with the landlord
• You are fully released from liability
• This is the better option if you want a clean break

Always push for a lease assignment over a sublease. With a sublease, you're still on the hook if anything goes wrong. With an assignment, you're done.

Step 1: Check Your Lease

Before you start looking for a replacement, read your lease for language about:

• Subletting/assignment clauses: Does your lease allow it? Some leases explicitly prohibit it, others require landlord approval, and some are silent on the topic.
• Landlord consent requirements: Most leases that allow subletting require written landlord approval first.
• Fees: Some leases charge a subletting or assignment fee ($100–$500 is typical).

Even if your lease says "no subletting," your landlord may still agree to a lease assignment. It's worth asking — the worst they can say is no.

Step 2: Talk to Your Landlord

Don't find a replacement tenant first and then surprise your landlord. Have the conversation upfront. Frame it as a benefit to them:

• "I need to move, but I want to make sure you have no gap in rent."
• "I'd like to find a qualified replacement rather than just breaking the lease."
• "You'll get a pre-screened tenant with no vacancy period."

Most landlords prefer this over the alternative (vacancy, legal proceedings, lost rent). Get their approval criteria: do they want to run their own background check? What's the minimum credit score or income requirement?

Step 3: Find a Replacement Tenant

Cast a wide net. Here are the best places to find someone:

Online Platforms

• Facebook Marketplace — Post in local housing and apartment groups. This is often the fastest channel.
• Craigslist — Still one of the highest-traffic sites for apartment seekers.
• Leasebreak.com — A platform specifically designed for lease takeovers.
• SwapALease — Another dedicated lease transfer marketplace.
• Apartments.com / Zillow — Some allow lease takeover listings.

Local Channels

• Your building's community board or resident group chat
• University housing boards (if near a campus)
• Workplace Slack channels or internal message boards
• Friends, family, and social media — post to your own networks

Writing a Good Listing

Include:

• Rent amount and what's included (utilities, parking, etc.)
• Lease end date
• Move-in date availability
• Apartment size, photos, and neighborhood highlights
• Any perks (in-unit laundry, pet-friendly, gym, etc.)
• Be upfront that this is a lease takeover, not a new listing

Step 4: Screen Candidates

Your landlord will run their own screening, but pre-screen candidates yourself to save time:

• Ask about their income (generally should be 3x rent)
• Ask about their credit score range
• Ask for references from previous landlords
• Meet them in person if possible — you're handing over your home

Only send qualified candidates to your landlord. If the first person they send gets rejected, landlords get skeptical fast.

Step 5: Complete the Transfer

Once your landlord approves the replacement:

1. The new tenant signs a lease (either a new lease or an assignment agreement)
2. You sign a release from your lease obligations
3. Handle the security deposit transfer (varies — sometimes the new tenant pays a new deposit and you get yours back; sometimes they reimburse you directly)
4. Set a move-out / move-in date
5. Do a walkthrough with photos before handing over keys

The most important document: A signed release from your landlord stating you are no longer responsible for the lease. Without this, you may still be liable if the replacement tenant defaults.

Common Pitfalls

• Doing it without landlord approval. If your lease requires consent and you sublet without it, you're violating the lease — which can lead to eviction for both you and the subletter.
• Not getting a written release. If you do a sublease without a formal assignment, you're still on the hook. Get released in writing.
• Overpricing the takeover. If you charge a "finder's fee" or mark up the rent, you'll struggle to find takers and may violate local subletting laws.
• Waiting too long. Start looking immediately. Finding a qualified replacement can take 2–6 weeks.

Cost Savings: Takeover vs. Breaking the Lease

Here's a quick comparison for a $2,000/month apartment with 6 months left:

The time investment is real (posting, screening, coordinating with landlord), but saving $3,500+ is worth a few weeks of effort.

For those who want to skip the uncertainty entirely, lease-break coverage like LeaseFlex can cover termination penalties upfront — but if you have the time, finding a replacement tenant is usually the most cost-effective route.

Bottom Line

A lease takeover is the best way to exit a lease without paying thousands in penalties. The process takes effort — checking your lease, getting landlord approval, finding and screening candidates — but the savings are significant.

Start early, cast a wide net, and always get your release from the lease in writing.