Lease Takeover Policies by Company: Tesla, Jeep, Dodge, etc

Lease takeover policies vary by company; some automotive dealers and lenders allow you to transfer your lease to another person, while others prohibit it.

When available, the process for a lease takeover begins with the seller contacting the finance company. The prospective lessee will then complete a credit application and submit it to the finance company. Some finance companies require credit application and/or lease transfer fees, which are usually paid by the prospective lessee at the time of the credit application.

Once approved, the company will prepare the lease takeover/transfer documents. Both parties will need to sign the final paperwork. The lease takeover is complete once the finance company processes the signed documents. Policies, fees, and taxes may vary by state.

When considering taking over a lease, keep the mileage and condition of the vehicle in mind. As the new lessee, you’ll be responsible for any excess wear and excess mileage on the vehicle at the end of the lease. Some finance companies also continue to hold the original lessee financially liable in case of default, excess wear, or excess mileage.

Below, we list the lease takeover policies by company, plus which companies don’t allow lease takeovers.

Lease Takeover Policies by Company

The following companies allow lease takeovers with credit approval:

Jump Links

Audi Financial Services

Credit application fee: $100^[1]
Lease transfer fee: $350 (no fee in IN, MS, and TX)^[1]
Transfer completion time: At least two weeks^[1]
Will security deposit transfer? Yes^[1]
Original lessee liability: Yes^[1]
Other rules:
- Transfers are not allowed during the final 12 months of the lease.^[1]

BMW Financial Services

Credit application fee: $100^[2]
Lease transfer fee: $400^[2]
Transfer completion time: At least two weeks^[2]
Will security deposit transfer? Yes^[2]
Original lessee liability: No^[2]
Other rules:
- BMW Financial Services will collect $500 when the transfer is initiated and refund $400 if the applicant isn’t approved.^[2]
- Transfers are not allowed for Owner’s Choice contracts or within the final six months of an original standard lease.^[2]

Ford Credit

Credit application fee: $75^[3]
Lease transfer fee: None^[3]
Transfer completion time: Two to three weeks^[3]
Will security deposit transfer? Yes^[3]
Original lessee liability: Original lessee should send a written request to remove liability^[3]
Other rules:
- Original lease agreement should state that a lease transfer is an option^[3]

GM Financial

Credit application fee: None^[4]
Lease transfer fee: $625^[4]
Transfer completion time: At least two weeks^[4]
Will security deposit transfer? Yes^[4]
Original lessee liability: No^[4]
Other rules:
- Lease transfers are not allowed in the first six months or the final 12 months of the lease.^[4]
- Taxes may apply and will vary by state.^[4]
- All lease transfer parties must reside in the same state.^[4]

Infiniti Financial Services

Credit application fee: None^[5]
Lease transfer fee: None^[5]
Transfer completion time: At least two weeks^[5]
Will security deposit transfer? Yes^[5]
Original lessee liability: Yes^[5]
Other rules:
- Takeovers aren’t allowed on leases with seven or fewer payments remaining or for original leases listing more than one lessee.^[5]
- Written approval from Infiniti Financial Services is required for lease transfers.^[5]

Lexus Financial Services

Credit application fee: None^[6]
Lease transfer fee: $200^[6]
Transfer completion time: At least two weeks^[6]
Will security deposit transfer? Yes^[6]
Original lessee liability: No^[6]
Other rules:
- Lease transfer policies may vary by region.^[6]
- Lease takeovers aren’t allowed during the first 60 days or the last six months of the original lease.^[6]

Lincoln Automotive Financial Services

Credit application fee: $75^[7]
Lease transfer fee: None^[7]
Transfer completion time: At least two weeks^[7]
Will security deposit transfer? Yes^[7]
Original lessee liability: Requires written request to remove liability^[7]
Other rules:
- None^[7]

MINI Financial Services

Credit application fee: $100^[8]
Lease transfer fee: $400^[8]
Transfer completion time: At least two weeks^[8]
Will security deposit transfer? Yes^[8]
Original lessee liability: No^[8]
Other rules:
- Transfers aren’t allowed in the final six months of the lease.^[8]
- The lease transfer fee will be refunded if the applicant isn’t approved.^[8]

Nissan Motors Acceptance Corporation

Credit application fee: None^[9]
Lease transfer fee: None^[9]
Transfer completion time: At least two weeks^[9]
Will security deposit transfer? Yes^[9]
Original lessee liability: Yes^[9]
Other rules:
- Takeovers aren’t permitted if less than seven payments remain.^[9]
- Written consent from Nissan Motors Acceptance Corporation is required to transfer a lease.^[9]

Tesla Financial

Credit application fee: $150^[10]
Lease transfer fee: $500^[10]
Transfer completion time: At least two weeks^[10]
Will security deposit transfer? No^[10]
Original lessee liability: No^[10]
Other rules:
- Takeovers aren’t allowed with 12 payments or fewer remaining.^[10]
- Tesla doesn’t allow takeovers in LS, MS, NH, OK, or RI.^[10]

Toyota Financial Services

Credit application fee: None^[11]
Lease transfer fee: $200^[11]
Transfer completion time: At least two weeks^[11]
Will security deposit transfer? Yes^[11]
Original lessee liability: No^[11]
Other rules:
- Transfers aren’t allowed within the first 60 days or the last six months of the original lease.^[11]

U.S. Bank

Credit application fee: $150^[12]
Lease transfer fee: $500^[12]
Transfer completion time: At least two weeks^[12]
Will security deposit transfer? Option to transfer^[12]
Original lessee liability: No^[12]
Other rules:
- Takeovers aren’t allowed in AK or HI.^[12]
- All takeovers must take place prior to the final 13 months of the original lease.^[12]

Volkswagen Credit

Credit application fee: $100^[13]
Lease transfer fee: $350 (except IN, MS, and TX)^[13]
Transfer completion time: At least two weeks ^[13]
Will security deposit transfer? Yes^[13]
Original lessee liability: Yes^[13]
Other rules:
- Takeovers aren’t allowed in the final 12 months of the original lease.^[13]