sublet

This term describes a specific legal and financial arrangement where a tenant becomes a temporary landlord. It carries a connotation of precariousness or informality, as subletting is often restricted by primary lease agreements. In many urban contexts, it implies a short-term, flexible living arrangement rather than a long-term commitment.

When used as a noun, the word refers to the actual living space or the arrangement itself. While it is generally countable, users should be aware that in some regional dialects it can be used collectively to describe the act of subletting, though treating it as a countable noun (e.g., "a sublet") is the standard professional usage.