A tenant can sublet without the landlord's permission, even if the lease says its forbidden. First you need to find a good subtenant.Post the listing online, then interview potential subtenants and ask for three things. You don't have to sublet. Just find a qualified person who is willing to take over your lease at the same or higher rent. A sublease agreement is a legal document allowing existing tenants to rent out their rented space to another party, the subtenant. Generally, a rent controlled tenant who is not occupying an apartment pursuant to an existing lease cannot sublet the apartment without the owner's written. Here's some language for a sample letter requesting sublet permission. Use it in part or full when submitting your proposal. You'll have to go through the application process, get the landlord's permission and check all the boxes of being a good new tenant.