Which statement best describes a sublease?

A sublease is a contractual agreement where the original lessee (the tenant) leases all or part of the property to another party, known as the sublessee. A key characteristic of a sublease is that the original tenant retains their lease obligations and remains liable to the landlord for the terms of the original lease. This means that if the sublessee fails to meet their obligations, the original lessee is still responsible to the landlord, maintaining the original tenant's liability.

This aspect is essential because it distinguishes a sublease from an assignment, where the original lessee transfers all rights and responsibilities to the new tenant. In a sublease, the original lease remains in effect, and the landlord's approval is not required, as long as the original lease does not explicitly prohibit subleasing. Thus, the correct answer highlights the original lessee's continued liability as a fundamental aspect of subleasing arrangements.