Side by side
| Dryft (lease takeover) | Subletting | |
|---|---|---|
| Your responsibility afterward | Ends once the incoming tenant signs the property's official lease | Continues for the whole lease |
| Who finds the replacement | Your Dryft agent sources incoming tenants | You do |
| Landlord approval | Yes. The property manager issues the takeover forms | Usually required by the lease |
| If the new person stops paying | Not your problem once they've signed with the property | You owe the landlord |
| Cost | A service fee, shown in an instant quote before you pay | Usually no fee, but you carry the risk |
| If it doesn't work out | You can request a full refund for any reason before the incoming tenant signs the lease | You are on your own |
When subletting is the better choice
If you're away for a few months and plan to come back, such as a summer internship, a sublease lets you keep your apartment. It costs nothing in fees, and you control who stays. Just get your landlord's written permission first.
When Dryft is the better choice
If you won't be back, a sublease keeps you tied to a lease you don't want. A takeover removes you from it. And if you don't have the time to post, screen and chase applicants, Dryft does the sourcing. If Dryft doesn't find a replacement tenant, you get your money back: you can request a full refund for any reason until the incoming tenant signs the official lease.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dryft a subletting service?
No. Dryft arranges lease takeovers: the incoming tenant applies to your property and signs the property's official lease agreement, rather than renting from you. See lease takeover vs sublease.
Which is cheaper, subletting or a takeover?
Subletting has no service fee, but you stay responsible if the subtenant misses rent or damages the unit. A takeover has a fee, but it ends your obligation. Compare against what you'd owe if the unit sat empty.
What is Dryft?
Dryft is a service that gets renters out of a lease they can't keep. It finds a replacement tenant to take over the lease, working through your property's own takeover process. Get an instant price on the Dryft quote page.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws and lease terms vary, so check your own lease and talk to a lawyer or a tenant rights organization about your situation.