In what scenario is a lease assignment typically used?

A lease assignment is typically used when a tenant wants to transfer their responsibilities under the lease agreement to another party, usually with the landlord's consent. In this scenario, the original tenant (the assignor) transfers their rights and obligations to a new tenant (the assignee), who will then take over the lease for the remainder of its term. This process allows the original tenant to exit their lease obligations while still complying with lease terms, provided the landlord agrees to the assignment.

This structure enables the new tenant to benefit from the original lease terms and provides the landlord with a continued lease agreement without requiring a new contract. The assignment maintains the integrity of the lease, as the landlord is typically still entitled to approve or reject the assignee based on their criteria.

The other options don't capture the primary purpose of a lease assignment. For instance, while allowing the tenant more freedom (as mentioned in one choice) might be a beneficial byproduct, the essence of an assignment revolves around the transfer of lease responsibilities rather than simply granting freedom. Similarly, legal agreements are foundational to lease assignments, not something they aim to circumvent, and converting a lease to a sublet involves different terms and conditions that don’t align with the concept of lease assignment.