You are entitled to request permission to sublet from the owner, and the owner may not unreasonably refuse such permission. 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. 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. A tenant can sublet without the landlord's permission, even if the lease says its forbidden. While tenants in rent regulated or government subsidized apartments have special rights, many rules and laws apply to both unregulated and regulated apartments. If you would like to sublease your apartment, you must first tell your landlord that you want to do this. CityFHEPS is a rental assistance supplement program to help individuals and families find and keep an apartment,.