Direct lease space is more expensive and more stable while sublease space is less expensive but shorterterm in nature. Sublease or assignment of the lease of the unit;. 2.Sale or other voluntary transfer of the ownership of the unit; or,. 3. Sublease space is usually offered at a discount to direct space. Subletting a commercial property is similar to assigning one, yet both transfer methods have very different outcomes. A sublet, or sublease agreement, adds someone new to an existing lease. Usually the new person (subletter) replaces someone who is moving out. I believe the difference is that if you sublet, you are interacting with the landlord, and you have a direct contract with them. The failure of the tenant to retain a reversionary interest in the lease is one of the key distinctions between an assignment and a sublease. Subleasing is usually less expensive than direct leasing space.