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What is a Lease Swap?
Published 6/6/25
A lease swap (also called a lease transfer or takeover) is when someone takes over your lease, payments, and all lease responsibilities, for the remainder of the lease term. Essentially, you’re handing the keys—and the financial responsibility—over to someone else.
For the person taking over the lease, it can be a great way to snag a short-term lease without committing to a brand-new contract. For the original lessee (that’s you), it’s a way to get out of your lease early without hefty penalties. Sounds simple, right? Well, not so fast.
The Not-So-Simple Side of Lease Swaps
Lease swaps come with their own set of hurdles:
- Fees, Fees, and More Fees: Most leasing companies charge transfer fees for facilitating a lease swap, which can range from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars.
- Credit Checks: The person taking over your lease needs to pass a credit check, and if they don’t qualify, the deal is off.
- You’re Still on the Hook: In many cases, you may still be partially liable for the lease if the new lessee misses payments. So much for passing on all those lease responsibilities.
Why Buying Out Your Lease Might Be a Better Option
If the negatives of a lease swap have you second-guessing, there’s another route: buy out your lease and sell the car yourself. This can be especially appealing if you’ve built equity in your vehicle.
What’s equity, you ask? It’s the difference between your car’s market value and its lease buyout price. If your car is worth more than what it costs to buy it, congratulations—you’ve got equity! You can buy out your lease, sell the car, and potentially pocket the difference. If you'd like to find out if you have equity in your car, boy do I have a company for you.
How Lease End Can Help
Here’s where Lease End comes in. While we don’t facilitate lease swaps, we’re experts at helping you navigate lease buyouts. Our team makes it simple, stress-free, and fast—most customers complete their buyout in less than 24 hours!
By buying out your lease, you:
- Avoid the hassle of finding someone to take over your lease.
- Skip the transfer fees and potential liability of a lease swap.
- Gain the freedom to sell your car on your terms, often for a profit.
The Bottom Line
So, what is a lease swap? It’s a way to pass your lease on to someone else, but it’s not without its complications. If the idea of fees, liability, and credit checks sounds like more stress than it’s worth, consider buying out your lease instead.
With Lease End, the process is quick, easy, and designed to help you make the most of your situation. Whether you want to sell your car or keep it, we’ve got you covered.
Ready to explore your options? Let’s make lease-ending simple, stress-free, and maybe even profitable.
About the author
Adam Broud
Adam Broud is a writer and comedian based out of Salt Lake City, Utah. As a professional stand-up comedian with an MBA, his writing uniquely blends the worlds of business and comedy. Adam's writing for ads and comedy has appeared in places such as Buzzfeed, Vanity Fair, your television, and his mom's box of keepsakes. Feel free to review his writing from any of those places, but just know it's kinda weird if you choose his mom's house.
Lease End's mission is to empower auto lease owners with the technology to easily exit their lease. If you'd like to learn more about the lease-end options available to you, please don't hesitate to contact us. Our expert advisors are always prepared to answer your questions and are committed to finding the right plan for your individual needs.
©2025 Lease End
©2025 Lease End
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