Cabin site lease with transfer rights: navigating sublease and inheritance clauses

Cabin sites on federal or state lands are often held under lease rather than fee simple title. Transfer rights—whether through sublease, assignment, or inheritance—are tightly regulated. Agreements must clarify whether approval from the governing agency is required before transfer. Some leases restrict transfers to family members or impose reversion clauses upon death of the lessee.

Legal disputes typically arise when heirs attempt to claim cabins without meeting eligibility criteria. Best practice is to incorporate detailed succession provisions and to maintain compliance certificates on file. Absent clear drafting, cherished family retreats can become sources of intergenerational litigation.