assignment of lease from seller to buyer form

How does it work?

1. choose this template.

Start by clicking on "Fill out the template"

2. Complete the document

Answer a few questions and your document is created automatically.

3. Save - Print

Your document is ready! You will receive it in Word and PDF formats. You will be able to modify it.

Lease Assignment Agreement

Rating: 4.9 - 137 votes

A Lease Assignment Agreement is a short document that allows for the transfer of interest in a residential or commercial lease from one tenant to another. In other words, a Lease Assignment Agreement is used when the original tenant wants to get out of a lease and has someone lined up to take their place.

Within a Lease Assignment Agreement, there is not that much information included, except the basics: names and identifying information of the parties, assignment start date, name of landlord, etc. The reason these documents are not more robust is because the original lease is incorporated by reference , all the time. What this means is that all of the terms in the original lease are deemed to be included in the Lease Assignment Agreement.

A Lease Assignment Agreement is different than a Sublease Agreement because the entirety of the lease interest is being transferred in an assignment. With a sublease, the original tenant is still liable for everything, and the sublease may be made for less than the entire property interest. A Lease Assignment transfers the whole interest and puts the new tenant in place of the old one.

The one major thing to be aware of with a Lease Assignment Agreement is that in most situations, the lease will require a landlord's explicit consent for an assignment. The parties should, therefore, be sure the landlord agrees to an assignment before filling out this document.

How to use this document

This Lease Assignment Agreement will help set forth all the required facts and obligations for a valid lease assignment . This essentially means one party (called the Assignor ) will be transferring their rights and obligations as a tenant (including paying rent and living in the space) to another party (called the Assignee ).

In this document, basic information is listed , such as old and new tenant names, the landlord's name, the address of the property, the dates of the lease, and the date of the assignment.

Information about whether or not the Assignor will still be liable in case the Assignee doesn't fulfill the required obligations is also included.

Applicable law

Lease Agreements in the United States are generally subject to the laws of the individual state and therefore, so are Lease Assignment Agreements.

The Environmental Protection Agency governs the disclosure of lead-based paint warnings in all rentals in the States. If a lead-based paint disclosure has not been included in the lease, it must be included in the assignment. Distinct from that, however, required disclosures and lease terms will be based on the laws of the state, and sometimes county, where the property is located.

How to modify the template

You fill out a form. The document is created before your eyes as you respond to the questions.

At the end, you receive it in Word and PDF formats. You can modify it and reuse it.

A guide to help you: Tenants and Subtenants Obligations under a Sublease Agreement

Other names for the document:

Assignment Agreement for Commercial Lease, Assignment of Commercial Lease, Assignment of Lease, Assignment of Residential Lease, Assignment Agreement for Lease

Country: United States

Housing and Real Estate - Other downloadable templates of legal documents

• Security Deposit Return Letter
• Rent Payment Plan Letter
• Residential Lease Agreement
• Sublease Agreement
• Tenant Maintenance Request Letter
• Rent Receipt
• Late Rent Notice
• Notice of Intent to Vacate
• Roommate Agreement
• Quitclaim Deed
• Parking Space Lease Agreement
• Short-Term Lease Agreement
• Tenant Security Deposit Return Request
• Termination of Tenancy Letter
• Change of Rent Notice
• Complaint Letter to Landlord
• Lease Amendment Agreement
• Notice of Lease Violation
• Consent to Sublease
• Eviction Notice
• Other downloadable templates of legal documents

• Download 400+ RPI Real Estate Forms
• 300+ FARM Letters
• Client Q&A Flyers
• All Market Charts
• Home Sales Data
• firsttuesday Local
• Market Timeline
• DRE Licensee Profile
• Due-on clause
• Legislative Gossip
• Change the Law
• Recent Case Decisions
• Real estate, Explained
• Real Estate Dictionary
• Letters to the Editor
• Broker Search
• Finder Recruits
• Attorney Database
• Fundamentals
• Laws and Regulations
• Fair Housing
• Property Management
• Form Matters
• JargonDrop™
• Real Estate Crossword
• Realtipedia

Select Page

Assignment of Lease – By Landlord/Lessor — RPI Form 595

This form is used by an escrow officer, property manager or landlord when a buyer of an income property assumes the seller’s rights and obligations under existing rental and lease agreements, to transfer the seller’s interest in the lease agreement to the buyer.

Lease assignments – transfers of rights and obligations under a lease

Transfer of any interest.

A commercial lease agreement entered into by a tenant contains an assignment and subletting provision. This provision is also called a:

• restriction-on-transfer  provision;
• restraint-on-alienation  provision; and
• lease assumption .

An assignment of the leasehold held by the original tenant under a lease agreement transfers the tenant’s entire interest in the property to a  successor tenant , leaving no interest held by the original tenant. However, on an assignment the original tenant named on the lease agreement remains liable for the  successor tenant’s  performance on the lease, whether or not the landlord consents to the assignment or that the successor tenant becomes primarily responsible for the lease obligations.

In contrast to an assignment, when entering into a sublease with a subtenant, the original tenant (who is now a  master tenant ) transfers to the subtenant less than all of the master tenant’s interest in the property. Also, possession reverts back to the master tenant on expiration of the sublease.

The tenant’s assignment on their transfer of possession

Consider a tenant who sells or transfers the business they operate on the premises to a new business owner. Together with the sale of the business, the lease for the premises which the business occupies is also transferred to the new business owner.

The  Assignment of Lease – By Tenant/Lessee  form references:

• the original lease and the premises subject to the assignment [See  RPI Form 596 §1 ];
• the successor tenant to whom the lease is assigned [See  RPI   Form 596 §2 ]; and
• the agreement by the successor tenant to assume and timely perform all lessee obligations under the lease. [See  RPI   Form 596 §3 ]

The Assignment of Lease form is signed by both the tenant and the assignee in the presence of a notary when recording the assignment. The form is then recorded with the office of the county recorder in the county in which the premises is located.

The owner’s assignment on a sale of income property

Similarly and in juxtaposition, consider an owner of income property subject to a lease or rental agreement who intends to sell or transfer their fee ownership in the property to a new owner. Here, in addition to signing a grant deed to the property, the owner also enters an assignment of all the lease agreements entered into with the existing tenants.

An owner of income property assigns their interest in existing lease agreements as part of a transaction for a:

• concurrent sale of the fee ownership to the property;
• concurrent creation of a master lease as the landlord to a master tenant; or
• sale of an existing lease without the concurrent sale and transfer of the fee ownership in the property. [See  RPI   Form 595 ]

The  Assignment of Lease – By Owner/Landlord   form references:

• the original lease and the premises subject to the assignment [See  RPI  Form 595 §1 ];
• the purpose of the transfer [See  RPI   Form 595 §2 ];
• the new owner to whom the lease is assigned [See  RPI   Form 595 §3 ]; and
• the agreement by the new owner to assume and timely perform all lessor obligations under the lease. [See  RPI   Form 595 §4 ]

As with the tenant’s Assignment of Lease form, when recording the owner’s Assignment of Lease form, it is signed in the presence of a notary by both:

• the owner of the property as the lessor under the lease agreement transferring their interest in the lease; and
• the successor owner acquiring the property subject to the lease.

The form is then recorded with the office of the county recorder in the county in which the premises is located.

Form navigation page published 02-2016.

Form last revised  2015 . 

Article: Lease assignments and subleases

Form-of-the-Week: Assignment of Lease – Forms 595 and 596

Latest posts

• Architectural Styles and Roof Types, Pt III
• RPI real estate forms have always been in compliance with NAR’s most recent antitrust settlement
• Trending mortgage rates
• California residential construction starts
• Negative equity and foreclosure

Latest Video

Get to know us

Products & services, firsttuesday.

• Legal GPS for Business
• All Contracts
• Member-Managed Operating Agreement
• Manager-Managed Operating Agreement
• S Corp LLC Operating Agreement
• Multi-Member LLC Operating Agreement
• Multi-Member LLC Operating Agreement (S Corp)

Demystifying Assignment of Lease: Your Go-To Guide

LegalGPS : July 29, 2023 at 8:17 AM

When you’re talking about property leasing, it’s important to understand that there are a lot of terms and concepts that you may have never heard before. One of them is the assignment of lease, which refers to a situation where a tenant transfers their rights and responsibilities under the lease agreement to another party.

What is an Assignment of Lease, and why is it so crucial?

An Assignment of Lease is a term you may have heard thrown around, especially if you're involved in rental properties. It’s a pretty important document. But what exactly is it? Well, in simple terms, an Assignment of Lease is an agreement where the original tenant of a property transfers their leases and all of its rights and obligations to a new tenant. Now, you might be wondering, "When would this scenario ever occur?"

Let's imagine you're a tenant who signed a three-year lease for an office space. However, two years in, you need to relocate due to unprecedented growth of your business. Instead of breaking the lease, you might choose to assign your lease to another business looking for office space. This means that you, as the original tenant, no longer have any obligations under the lease. The new tenant is now responsible for paying rent and complying with all of the terms of the previously signed agreement.

Now that you understand, let's get into the step-to-step guide on how to create an Assignment of Lease!

Steps to Write an Assignment of Lease

Creating a thorough Assignment of Lease agreement doesn't need to be an overwhelming task. Simply follow these steps to ensure your agreement is both comprehensive and legally binding:

Step 1: Identify the Parties

The information of each party should be included. For the existing tenant (the assignor), make sure to include:

Full legal name or business name

Postal mailing address

Phone number and email address

Do the same for the new tenant (the assignee). Make sure all the information is up-to-date and accurate to avoid any unnecessary confusion or disputes. For example, if the assignor is a business, make sure they have updated their mailing address with the post office to reflect their new building location. If a party has multiple addresses, be sure to list them all.

Step 2: Specify the Lease

This section requires exact information from the original lease agreement, including:

Property address and description

Lease start and end date

A reference to the original lease agreement (for instance, a sentence like "the lease agreement dated...")

Remember to include a copy of the original lease as an attachment to ensure the assignee understands the terms they're adhering to. If not already included in the original lease agreement, be sure to add the following information: Description of rental property, Lease term (how long the lease is good for), Rent amount, and Security deposit amount.

Step 3: Detail the Assignment

State that the assignor is transferring all their interests and obligations in the lease to the assignee. Here, write something like:

"The Assignor hereby assigns, transfers, and conveys to the Assignee all of the Assignor's rights, title, and interest in and to the Lease, together with all the Assignor's obligations, liabilities, and duties under the Lease."

This means that the assignor is transferring all of their interests and obligations in the lease to the assignee. This includes any future rent payments, repairs and maintenance responsibilities, notices of default by either party, and so on.

Step 4: Landlord's Consent

Many leases require the landlord's consent to assign the lease. The assignor should request written consent from the landlord and include a clause like:

"The assignment of the lease is not valid unless and until the landlord provides written consent."

This is followed by a place for the landlord to affirm consent by signing or initialing. This is important because the landlord can elect to withhold consent and the assignment will not be valid. If this is the case, you may need to provide additional consideration for your landlord's assent (for example, an increase in rent).

Step 5: Assignee Acceptance

Include a statement in which the new tenant agrees to the assignment and the terms of the lease. It may look like:

"The Assignee hereby accepts this assignment, assumes all duties and responsibilities under the Lease, and agrees to perform all of the Assignor's obligations under the Lease."

You need to do this because the new tenant needs to have an affirmative acceptance of the assignment in order for it to be valid. This is typically done through a letter from the assignee stating that they agree to perform all of your obligations under the lease.

Step 6: Signature and Date

Every binding legal document needs a date and a signature. Make sure that there is a proper place for the assignor and the assignee to sign and print their names, with a line for the date.

By following these clear, actionable steps, you'll be able to construct an effective Assignment of Lease agreement. Remember, every situation is unique, so adjust the template as necessary, being sure to include all relevant details.

Clear so far? Great! Now, let's focus on the tips to draft a perfect Assignment of Lease.

Tips to Draft a Perfect Assignment of Lease

Accurate Dates: Be sure to include the date when this agreement will take effect. Precision avoids any confusion about durations, when the assignee takes over, or when the assignor's obligations end.

Clear Terms: This document should restate the terms of the original lease. The assignee needs a clear understanding of what they're stepping into. Bit ambiguous? Think of it like this: the assignee should be able to step into the assignor's shoes comfortably.

Specify Rent Terms: Stating the rent amount, due dates, and method of payment in the assignment helps create a record of the agreed-upon rent terms, ensuring no misunderstanding arises in the future.

Specify the Term: The assignment should state how long the new lease lasts. For example, if the original lease is for one year, then the assignee will assume only a one-year term.

Specify Other Conditions: If there are other conditions in place—such as tenant improvements or utility allowances—then specify these too.

An assignment of lease doesn't have to be a formidable task to overcome. With a cautious and considered approach, these documents can be a smooth and seamless part of managing a successful lease transition.

Our contract templates can offer you even more support, empowering you towards crafting an excellent and individualised Assignment of Lease ready for your task. So why not take your next step towards leasing success and check them out today? Click here to get started!

Navigating the assignment of a commercial lease

Special circumstances can require a tenant or a landlord to assign a commercial lease. Find out the most common situations for a commercial lease assignment and whether it's right for your situation.

Find out more about real estate and business

by   Ronna L. DeLoe, Esq.

Ronna L. DeLoe is a freelance writer and a published author who has written hundreds of legal articles. She does...

Read more...

Updated on: January 9, 2024 · 3min read

• Tenant's assignment of a commercial lease
• Getting the landlord's consent
• Contents of a tenant's assignment agreement
• Landlord's assignment of a commercial lease

If you're running a business, you may find yourself in a situation where you need to break a commercial lease. As a tenant, one option is to assign the lease, which means removing yourself completely from the lease and transferring it to a third party.

There are also instances when a landlord may need to assign a commercial lease, such as when a property is sold. In doing so, you sell the building with any leases intact, which requires assigning your right to collect rent to the new owner.

Tenant's assignment of a commercial lease

There are many reasons a tenant may want to get out of a commercial lease, including not being able to afford the rent and needing less or more space. Because it's unlikely a landlord will simply let you walk away from your commitment, you should check what your lease says about early termination. Most commercial leases require the tenant to pay rent for the rest of the term and possibly additional fees for breaking the lease.

Assignment of the lease is another alternative to breaking it. In doing so, you give the new tenant, known as the assignee, the right to occupy the premises in your place for the remainder of your lease term.

Getting the landlord's consent

Almost all assignments of commercial leases by the tenant need the landlord's consent, so check your original lease for any such language. As with a residential lease, a landlord cannot unreasonably withhold consent for you to assign the lease. However, it's up to you as the assignor, or original tenant, to ensure that your assignee is reliable, responsible, and can pay the rent—or you may end up being held financially liable.

If the tenant assigns a commercial lease to a new tenant without the landlord's permission, the landlord can sue the original tenant for breaking the lease. The landlord can also collect damages against one or both tenants if he can show that the assignee isn't a good-paying tenant or doesn't have the type of business he wants in the building. He can also end the lease and evict the new tenant.

Contents of a tenant's assignment agreement

Assignment of a commercial lease is almost always accompanied by a written agreement to preserve both the tenant's and landlord's rights. Some states require written assignment agreements . Many commercial assignment agreements contain provisions for the:

• Payment of fees to the landlord for having another business substitute for yours
• Assignor's and assignee's names, addresses, and business names
• Landlord's name, address, and business name
• Amount of the new tenant's rent and the dates for payment
• Date of the agreement
• Date the assignment is effective
• Date the lease ends
• The landlord's, assignor's, and assignee's signatures

Assignment agreements usually don't contain a provision releasing the assignor from paying rent, meaning that you, as the assignor, are held responsible for payment. Even so, assignment can be a financially responsible option for a tenant who's going out of business or who needs new space immediately.

Landlord's assignment of a commercial lease

Sometimes a commercial landlord needs to sell his property. After the new owner, or assignee-buyer, buys the property subject to existing leases, the assignor-landlord assigns the leases to the new owner, who can then collect rent. The assignor-landlord notifies tenants by sending a notice of sale, a notice of assignment of lease, or a notification on letterhead listing the assignee-buyer's address for payment of rent.

Unless the lease states otherwise, you, as landlord, can sell your property to anyone, but make sure to get a hold harmless clause , also known as an indemnity clause, in your contract of sale. Such clauses protect you from liability to the tenant if the buyer doesn't perform her duties as a landlord. Otherwise, as the original landlord, you're still liable for your obligations to the tenant, such as keeping the premises habitable.

Under the right circumstances, assignment of a commercial lease can work for both landlords and tenants. If you need assistance with your assignment agreement, consider using an online service provider to prepare it for you.

You may also like

What does 'inc.' mean in a company name?

'Inc.' in a company name means the business is incorporated, but what does that entail, exactly? Here's everything you need to know about incorporating your business.

October 9, 2023 · 10min read

How to start an LLC in 7 steps: A complete guide for 2024

It's easy to create a new LLC by filing paperwork with the state. But to set yourself up for success, you'll also need to think about your business name, finances, an operating agreement, and licenses and permits. Here's a step-by-step guide.

March 21, 2024 · 20min read

Assignment And Assumption Of Lease

Jump to section, what is an assignment and assumption of lease.

An assignment and assumption of lease is a legal real estate document that allows one party to transfer rights and obligations of a lease to another party. Often used in real estate transactions and mortgage lending, the assignment and assumption of lease agreement requires the landlord to consent to move forward.

An assignor may include an assumption agreement to provide legal protection by transferring obligations to the new tenant. For example, if a tenant defaults on a mortgage or stops paying rent, the original seller is no longer liable. Assignment and assumption of lease agreements cover terms like who is newly responsible for the lease and the landlord's contract for this agreement.

Common Sections in Assignment And Assumption Of Leases

Below is a list of common sections included in Assignment And Assumption Of Leases. These sections are linked to the below sample agreement for you to explore.

Assignment And Assumption Of Lease Sample

Reference : Security Exchange Commission - Edgar Database, EX-10.2 2 d425646dex102.htm ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF LEASE , Viewed October 18, 2021, View Source on SEC .

Who Helps With Assignment And Assumption Of Leases?

Lawyers with backgrounds working on assignment and assumption of leases work with clients to help. Do you need help with an assignment and assumption of lease?

Post a project  in ContractsCounsel's marketplace to get free bids from lawyers to draft, review, or negotiate assignment and assumption of leases. All lawyers are vetted by our team and peer reviewed by our customers for you to explore before hiring.

Meet some of our Assignment And Assumption Of Lease Lawyers

I am a commercial contracts attorney with twenty years of experience. I have represented major corporate clients including Amazon, Marvel, and Viacom as well as independent entertainment professionals and technology startups.

Ralph graduated from University of Florida with his JD as well as an LLM in Comparative Law. He has a Master's in Law from Warsaw University , Poland (summa cum laude) and holds a diploma in English and European Law from Cambridge Board of Continuous Education. Ralph concentrates on business entity formation, both for profit and non profit and was trained in legal drafting. In his practice he primarily assists small to medium sized startups and writes tailor made contracts as he runs one of Florida disability non profits at the same time. T l Licensed. in Florida Massachusetts and Washington DC this attorney speaks Polish.

Mexican Lawyer specialized in Corporate, Fintech and Financial Law

Technology and property expert in complex discovery.

Yoann E. A. L.

For over 15 years, I accumulated both hands-on technical and business experience as an IT engineer and entrepreneur, enabling me to understand your challenges probably better than anyone else on the legal market! My California-based full-online practice focuses on: - Intellectual Property (Copyright / Trademarks) - Privacy / Data Protection - Commercial matters (e.g. service contracts) - Corporate (e.g. incorporation, restructuring)

Melanie Cunningham specializes in helping entrepreneurs remain creative and expansive by establishing the foundation of their business and protecting and maximizing their intellectual property. It’s her belief that entrepreneurs and micro and small business owners play a critical role in our communities, which propelled Melanie to return to private practice after more than a decade working for global financial institutions. Melanie’s practice is dedicated to delivering excellent legal support and protection to this vital, but an often underserved, community. Melanie credits her business training and the skills developed as a senior compliance officer with enabling her to help small business owners have a legally compliant business, while proactively advising clients during the growth process. She’s helped diverse entrepreneurs do business in a way that focuses more on collaboration than competition. Melanie has counseled small business owners in determining what is protection worthy (helping them obtain trademarks and copyrights) and making contact on their behalf in the case of infringement.

Christopher B.

Former litigator now focusing on transactional business work

Find the best lawyer for your project

How it works.

Post Your Project

Get Free Bids to Compare

Hire Your Lawyer

Real Estate lawyers by top cities

• Austin Real Estate Lawyers
• Boston Real Estate Lawyers
• Chicago Real Estate Lawyers
• Dallas Real Estate Lawyers
• Denver Real Estate Lawyers
• Houston Real Estate Lawyers
• Los Angeles Real Estate Lawyers
• New York Real Estate Lawyers
• Phoenix Real Estate Lawyers
• San Diego Real Estate Lawyers
• Tampa Real Estate Lawyers

Assignment And Assumption Of Lease lawyers by city

• Austin Assignment And Assumption Of Lease Lawyers
• Boston Assignment And Assumption Of Lease Lawyers
• Chicago Assignment And Assumption Of Lease Lawyers
• Dallas Assignment And Assumption Of Lease Lawyers
• Denver Assignment And Assumption Of Lease Lawyers
• Houston Assignment And Assumption Of Lease Lawyers
• Los Angeles Assignment And Assumption Of Lease Lawyers
• New York Assignment And Assumption Of Lease Lawyers
• Phoenix Assignment And Assumption Of Lease Lawyers
• San Diego Assignment And Assumption Of Lease Lawyers
• Tampa Assignment And Assumption Of Lease Lawyers

related contracts

• Addendum to Lease
• ALTA Statement
• Apartment Lease
• Apartment Rental Agreement
• Assignment of Lease
• Boundary Line Agreement
• Brokerage Agreement
• Building Contract
• Building Lease
• Business Office Lease Agreement

other helpful articles

• How much does it cost to draft a contract?
• Do Contract Lawyers Use Templates?
• How do Contract Lawyers charge?
• Business Contract Lawyers: How Can They Help?
• What to look for when hiring a lawyer

Quick, user friendly and one of the better ways I've come across to get ahold of lawyers willing to take new clients.

Contracts Counsel was incredibly helpful and easy to use. I submitted a project for a lawyer's help within a day I had received over 6 proposals from qualified lawyers. I submitted a bid that works best for my business and we went forward with the project.

I never knew how difficult it was to obtain representation or a lawyer, and ContractsCounsel was EXACTLY the type of service I was hoping for when I was in a pinch. Working with their service was efficient, effective and made me feel in control. Thank you so much and should I ever need attorney services down the road, I'll certainly be a repeat customer.

I got 5 bids within 24h of posting my project. I choose the person who provided the most detailed and relevant intro letter, highlighting their experience relevant to my project. I am very satisfied with the outcome and quality of the two agreements that were produced, they actually far exceed my expectations.

Want to speak to someone?

Get in touch below and we will schedule a time to connect!

Find lawyers and attorneys by city

Assignment and Assumption of Leases (Commercial Real Estate Purchase and Sale) (TX) | Practical Law

Assignment and Assumption of Leases (Commercial Real Estate Purchase and Sale) (TX)

Practical law standard document w-007-2680  (approx. 13 pages).