You can, but it's not a good idea. Most leases prohibit subletting, or only allow it with permission.California law requires tenants to seek explicit, written permission from their landlords to sublet if it is not already allowed in the lease. No information is available for this page. If you have a lease for a set term, like one year, you can sublet with or without your landlord's permission, unless they prohibit this in the written lease. Comprehensive guide to California landlordtenant law. Learn key rules, rights, and responsibilities for landlords and tenants. Forms: In addition to the books listed above, sample leases and rental agreements can be found in: California Real Estate Forms (Miller and Star) KFC 140 . This guide will explain everything tenants need to know about California landlords' abilities to break rental agreements prematurely.