Legality checker — not a sublet listings board
Is subletting legal in San Francisco?
Find out whether you can sublet or assign your apartment in San Francisco, California — risk score, consent path, and next steps. Looking for listings? Confirm legality here first, then use local listing sites.
- • Instant legality & risk readout
- • Consent strategy based on lease + local norms
- • Optional draft request letter for $19
Leaving without a replacement tenant? Use the San Francisco lease break calculator.
Common questions
- Can I sublet my apartment in San Francisco?
- Usually only with landlord consent and lease compliance. This page is a legality and risk checker for San Francisco tenants — not a place to find or post sublet listings. California tenants generally may sublet unless the lease explicitly prohibits it — and even then, absolute bans may be limited. San Francisco rent-controlled units have additional rules: subletting must comply with the SF Rent Ordinance and owner-occupancy requirements may apply.
- What's the difference between a sublet and a lease assignment in San Francisco?
- A sublet keeps you on the master lease while someone else occupies the unit. An assignment transfers the lease to a new tenant (landlord approval still usually required). California rules and your lease decide which path is available.
- Where can I find San Francisco sublet listings?
- Leasexit does not list apartments. Confirm legality here first, then use local listing platforms to find a replacement tenant. Unlock the $19 report for a draft consent request letter.