What does subletting mean?

Subletting is when a tenant rents out all or part of the property they're renting to someone else - for example, renting your room to a friend while you're away.

The important rule: most tenancy agreements either ban subletting outright or require written permission first. Subletting without permission can be treated as a breach of your tenancy agreement, putting your own right to stay at risk.

If you're considering it, always ask your landlord in writing first. If you're the one moving into a sublet, be aware you may have very limited legal protection compared to renting directly from the landlord.