albérlet

al- +‎ bérlet

• IPA^(key): [ˈɒlbeːrlɛt]
• Hyphenation: al‧bér‧let

albérlet (plural albérletek)

1. (law) sublease, subrental
2. lodgings (a flat or a room rented out from a private person to a private person for the purpose of residence)

Strictly speaking, this term reflects the practice when the council rented out a flat to people and people were able to rent it over to others. However, these days many more people own a flat so if they rent it out, it is not a sublease but a lease. Nevertheless, the term is still widely used in everyday speech, but in real estate terminology (including lease contracts) lakásbérlés or lakásbérlet can be used instead.

Similarly, albérlő (“lodger”, literally “subtenant”) is strictly speaking incorrect in most cases and bérlő should be used for the lessee instead. In the same vein, főbérlő (“tenant”, literally “main tenant”) does not make sense any more in the original meaning and bérbeadó is the right term instead for the owner or lessor. Hence, albérlő can only be used rightfully today if the lodger wishes to offer his or her rented accommodation to an acquaintance for a while (whether living there simultaneously or being away from the flat), which may be permitted under certain conditions or prohibited by the actual owner in their lease contract.

• albérlő