Yes, you can often lease a car you are currently leasing, but it's a complex process with significant restrictions. This is formally known as a lease transfer or lease assumption. The most critical factor is that your original leasing company must approve the new lessee. Most standard lease agreements from major manufacturers like Honda Financial Services or Toyota Financial Services explicitly prohibit subleasing without their consent, primarily to manage their financial risk.
The primary reason a lessor might approve a transfer is if the new applicant has a stronger credit profile than you, reducing their risk of missed payments. However, you, as the original lessee, often remain secondarily liable if the new person defaults. This means your credit could still be damaged if they fail to make payments.
Before considering this, you must review your lease agreement's "Assignment" clause. Contact your leasing company to understand their specific fees (often $100-$500) and procedures. They will require the new lessee to undergo a full credit check. This option is generally only viable if you need to exit a lease early due to a major life change, like a move or financial hardship. For most people, simply riding out the lease term is a far less risky and complicated path.
| Major Lessor | Lease Transfer Policy | Typical Transfer Fee | Key Restrictions |
|---|
| Honda Financial | Permitted with approval | ~$500 | New lessee must meet strict credit criteria. |
| Toyota Financial | Permitted with approval | ~$150 | Original lessee may remain liable. |
| Ford Credit | Case-by-case approval | ~$150 | Not permitted on certain promotional leases. |
| Nissan Motor Acct. | Permitted with approval | ~$300 | Mileage and wear-and-tear terms stay with car. |
| BMW Financial | Permitted via "lease assumption" | ~500 | High credit score requirement for new lessee. |
