A tenant can sublet without the landlord's permission, even if the lease says its forbidden. You can, but it's not a good idea.Most leases prohibit subletting, or only allow it with permission. A friend of mine is renting a room in a Bushwick apartment, with no lease, no paperwork. If you would like to sublease your apartment, you must first tell your landlord that you want to do this. I would ALWAYS suggest asking permission of LL, even if sublease not prohibited in your lease. Most do, but some do not. You are entitled to request permission to sublet from the owner, and the owner may not unreasonably refuse such permission. The Guide explains what you should know when applying to rent, living in a rented property, and dealing with the end of a lease. 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.