Lease transfer and assumption policy by brand
Which captives publish a transfer or assumption program, the fee, and who remains liable — sourced from lender pages only.
5 min read
A lease transfer (assumption) moves the contract to a credit-qualified buyer. Marketplaces like Swapalease list cars. They do not set the captive’s rules, fee, or who stays liable.
GM Financial is the captive that actually publishes the process: $625 plus tax, paid by the incoming lessee, same-state registration, at least six months left, and a new contract both parties sign. Toyota Financial Services says transfers exist and tells you to call. That is the entire public set as of August 2026.
If your brand is not in the first table, the honest answer is “ask the captive.” A listing site quoting a fee is not a policy.
TLDR Quick Guide
- GM Financial: assumption allowed. $625 + tax, paid by the assuming lessee. Same state, ≥6 months left, credit approval, current account.
- After GM processes documents (typically 3–5 business days), the new lessee gets a welcome packet and the original lessee gets written confirmation.
- Toyota Financial Services: transfer is listed as an option. Call 800-874-8822. Fee and liability are not on the public page.
- Honda, BMW, Ford, Hyundai, Tesla, and the rest: no public transfer program page we could cite.
- You stay liable until the captive says the new contract is booked — not when you hand over the keys.
Published transfer programs
| Brands | Captive lender | Published transfer policy | Published fee | Published on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Cadillac | GM Financial | Yes, through GM Financial's lease-assumption program. Vehicle must stay in the same state as the assuming lessee; not within the last six months; assuming lessee must meet GM Financial credit guidelines; account must stay current; no commercial/non-commercial swaps. | $625 plus applicable taxes, paid by the assuming lessee | gmfinancial.com |
| Toyota, Lexus | Toyota Financial Services / Lexus Financial Services | TFS lists Transfer of Lease as an early-return option: if someone wants to take over the contract, call 800-874-8822 for criteria. Public page does not list a fee or a yes/no for every account. | Not published | toyotafinancial.com |
GM Financial’s process, in order
- Original lessee contacts GM Financial to start.
- Both parties get a third-party authorization; the assuming lessee gets a credit application (3–5 business days).
- If approved, both sign a new contract. The $625 fee is due with that paperwork.
- GM Financial processes in about 3–5 business days after documents, signatures, and the fee.
- Assuming lessee registers the vehicle within 15 days of the registration notice. Insurance proof is required.
GM Financial is not responsible for unpaid upfront taxes or expired registration. Commercial and non-commercial accounts cannot swap. The vehicle must be titled in the same state as the new lessee’s license.
Brands that do not publish a program
| Brands | Captive lender | Published transfer policy | Published fee | Published on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda, Acura | Honda Financial Services | Not published online | Not published | — |
| Nissan, Infiniti | Nissan Motor Acceptance (NMAC) | Not published online | Not published | — |
| Hyundai, Kia, Genesis | Hyundai Capital America | Not published online | Not published | — |
| Subaru | Subaru Motors Finance (Chase) | Not published online | Not published | — |
| Mazda | Mazda Financial Services | Not published online | Not published | — |
| Volkswagen, Audi | Volkswagen Credit / Audi Financial Services | Not published online | Not published | — |
| Ford, Lincoln | Ford Credit | Not published online | Not published | — |
| Jeep, Ram, Dodge, Chrysler | Stellantis Financial / Chrysler Capital | Not published online | Not published | — |
| BMW | BMW Financial Services | Not published online | Not published | — |
| Mercedes-Benz | Mercedes-Benz Financial Services | Not published online | Not published | — |
| Volvo | Volvo Car Financial Services | Not published online | Not published | — |
| Tesla | Tesla Finance | Not published online | Not published | — |
Swapalease and LeaseTrader are listing marketplaces. They collect their own fees. They cannot override a captive that does not assume. Start with the lender on your statement, then list the car if the captive says yes.
Key Takeaways
- GM Financial publishes the only complete consumer process: $625, same state, six months left, new contract.
- TFS acknowledges transfers and will not publish the fee online.
- Marketplaces do not set policy. The captive does.
- Liability moves when the new contract is booked, not at the handshake.
FAQs
Toyota Financial Services lists Transfer of Lease as an option if someone wants to take over the contract. Call 800-874-8822 for criteria. The public page does not publish a fee or a guarantee that every account qualifies.
GM Financial publishes a $625 transfer fee plus applicable taxes, paid by the assuming lessee with the contract paperwork.
On a completed GM Financial assumption, both parties sign a new contract and the assuming lessee becomes the customer of record. Until GM Financial confirms processing, the original lessee remains on the account. Other captives: ask them in writing.
Honda Financial Services does not publish a transfer or assumption program on its consumer pages. Call HFS and ask whether your account is eligible before you list it.
No. Marketplace fees are extra. GM’s $625 still applies if GM is the lender. A listing is not an approval.
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