Sublet vs. relet vs. lease takeover: which one do you actually want?
The difference between subletting, reletting, and a lease takeover in Ann Arbor — who stays on the lease, who holds the risk, and which fits your situation.
4 min read · Updated July 7, 2026
The three arrangements, defined
A sublet means the original tenant stays on the lease and rents the place to you — you pay them, they (usually) keep paying the landlord, and they remain responsible to the landlord for the unit. A relet or lease takeover (formally, a lease assignment) means you replace the original tenant on the lease entirely: the landlord approves you, and from then on you're their tenant, not the departing student's.
People use all three words loosely — most 'sublets' posted in spring for the summer are true sublets, while most 'someone take my lease!' posts are relets.
Who holds the risk
In a sublet, the original tenant carries the risk in both directions: if you trash the place, the landlord comes after them; if they stop forwarding your rent to the landlord, the eviction lands on the unit anyway. That's why written sublease agreements and traceable payments matter so much.
In a relet, risk transfers cleanly to you — your name, your deposit, your relationship with the landlord. That's better for long stays, and it's why landlords usually charge a fee and vet you like any new applicant.
Which one fits your situation
A quick decision rule:
- Staying a summer or one semester → sublet (flexible, fast, no lease transfer)
- Staying through the end of the lease or longer → relet / takeover (clean, direct)
- Landlord won't approve assignments → sublet with written landlord consent
- You want the unit again next year → relet, then renew directly
Paperwork either way
Whichever route: get it in writing. A sublet needs a sublease agreement (dates, rent, deposit, utilities, condition) plus the landlord's written consent. A relet needs the landlord's assignment paperwork. On Wroomly, both sides are @umich.edu-verified students, which removes the who-am-I-dealing-with problem — the paperwork removes the rest.
Explore
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a sublet and a lease takeover?
In a sublet, the original tenant stays on the lease and rents the unit to you; they remain responsible to the landlord. In a lease takeover (relet or assignment), you replace them on the lease entirely with landlord approval, becoming the landlord's direct tenant with your own deposit and obligations.
Is a sublet or a relet better for a summer stay?
A sublet. For a May-to-August stay, a sublet is faster, more flexible, and doesn't require transferring the lease. Relets make sense when you're staying through the end of the lease term or want to renew the unit in your own name afterward.
Does the landlord need to approve a sublet in Ann Arbor?
Almost always — most Ann Arbor leases allow subletting only with written landlord approval, and some charge a fee. A relet or assignment always requires the landlord, since the lease itself changes hands. Get the approval in writing before money moves in either arrangement.