When the prime tenant moves out, though, the roommate also must leave.

No longer can a substandard building attract prime tenants simply because of a stellar address.

"I don't think he's going to have any problem over the long run of renting that place with prime tenants."

A Chandler's shoe store had been the prime tenant in a small building on the site.

Even so, there could be problems if the prime tenant is indeed getting far less for the space than he owes the landlord each month.

Studies have shown that a price cause of homelessness is eviction by the prime tenant.

That is true even if the subtenant remains in the apartment without the prime tenant's consent.

If the apartment is furnished, the prime tenant can charge 10 percent more than the allowable rent.

"And there is certainly no authority for the prime tenant to increase the rent to $1,000," he said.

The arrangement you have with the prime tenant probably is not a valid sublet.