Under Civil Code § 1632, a person engaged in a trade or business who negotiates a residential lease of longer than one month primarily in Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese or Korean must give the tenant, and anyone else who will sign, a translation of every term and condition in that language before the lease is signed. If that does not happen, the person aggrieved may rescind the lease (§ 1632(k)(1)), and any waiver of the rule is void (§ 1632(l)).

The short version

  • Exactly five languages trigger the rule: Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese and Korean.
  • The trigger is how the lease was negotiated, "orally or in writing," not the tenant's background.
  • It covers a lease or rental agreement for a dwelling "for a period of longer than one month" (§ 1632(b)(3)).
  • The full translation goes to every person who will sign, before anyone signs.
  • A tenant who negotiates through their own independent interpreter is outside the rule (§ 1632(h)).
  • The English version controls, but the translation can be used to show no contract was formed because of a substantial difference in material terms (§ 1632(j)).

Does § 1632 apply to your lease?

Work through these questions in order. If the answer to any of the first three is no, the section does not require a translation, though you may still choose to offer one.

  1. Language. Were the lease terms negotiated primarily in one of the five languages, in conversation, messages or documents?
  2. Who is negotiating. The statute applies to "a person engaged in a trade or business." If you are not sure whether that describes you or your manager, ask counsel rather than assume.
  3. Length. Is the lease for a period longer than one month? The statute's text covers terms longer than one month. Do not assume a month-to-month agreement is exempt; ask counsel. See fixed-term or month-to-month.
  4. Interpreter. Did the tenant negotiate through their own interpreter, an adult fluent in English and the other language who is not employed by, or made available through, your business? If so, § 1632(h) says the section does not apply.

What the translation should cover

ItemWhat to includeWhy
The lease itselfA translation of every term and condition, in the language used to negotiate§ 1632(b) requires the whole agreement, not a summary
Later changesTranslations of later documents that make substantial changes to the leaseThese count as part of the "contract" under § 1632(g)(1)
House rules and inventoriesOptional. Rules and regulations governing a tenancy and inventories of furnishings are not part of the "contract" under § 1632(g)(3)Translating them still helps the tenant follow them
Required tenant noticesThe § 1946.2(f) tenant protection notice and the flood hazard disclosure under Government Code § 8589.45 are both subject to § 1632See just-cause eviction and the rent cap, which that notice describes
Notice at signingA notice in the negotiated language, given at the time and place the lease is signedRequired by § 1632(d)
Copies for each signerA translation for the other party and "any other person who will be signing"§ 1632(b)

For the full list of disclosures that belong in a lease, see required lease disclosures.

Step by step

  1. Note the language of the negotiation as it happens. Apply the same screening criteria, terms and process to every applicant; language is relevant only to what § 1632 requires you to deliver. National origin and ancestry are protected classes under Government Code § 12955(a).
  2. Finalize the English lease first. Translate the final text, not a draft, so the two versions match. A substantial difference in material terms can be used to argue no contract was formed (§ 1632(j)).
  3. Deliver the translation before execution to each person who will sign, and give them time to read it. Keep a dated record of what you delivered and to whom.
  4. Give the notice at signing in the negotiated language (§ 1632(d)).
  5. Translate later substantial changes the same way, and keep copies of both versions with the lease file.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Translating only the "key terms." The statute requires every term and condition.
  • Handing over the translation after signing. It must be delivered before execution.
  • Relying on your own staff or a person you provided as the tenant's interpreter. The exception covers only an interpreter who is not employed by, or made available through, your business.
  • Adding a clause in which the tenant waives a translation. Any waiver of § 1632 is void and unenforceable (§ 1632(l)).
  • Assuming other languages trigger the duty. The list is exactly five languages. You may offer translations in other languages, but this statute does not require them.
  • Treating month-to-month agreements as automatically exempt. The text covers terms longer than one month; ask counsel before treating a month-to-month agreement as outside it.

For owners

  • If you or your manager negotiate in one of the five languages, plan for translation before you schedule a signing.
  • Keep translated forms current whenever you update your English lease.
  • The section was last amended by SB 1103 (2024), effective January 1, 2025, which extended it to certain commercial leases. Recheck the text when you update your forms.

For renters

  • If your lease was negotiated mainly in one of the five languages, you should receive a full translation before you sign. Ask for it if you have not.
  • Read both versions. The English version is the one that sets your rights and duties.
  • If you did not receive a required translation, the statute lets you rescind the lease. Talk to a California attorney about how that works in your situation.

Renters new to the area can also read your first 30 days in a Coronado rental.

Local rules

Some cities add rules on top of state law, such as local just-cause, relocation or rental registration requirements, so check your city's code. Coronado has no local rent-control or just-cause ordinance as of October 2026, based on a review of its code's contents.

Frequently asked questions

Which languages require a translated lease in California?

Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese and Korean. Civil Code § 1632(b) applies when a business negotiates a covered lease primarily in one of those five languages, orally or in writing.

Does a month-to-month rental agreement need a translation?

The statute covers leases and rental agreements for a period longer than one month. Do not treat a month-to-month agreement as exempt without advice from counsel.

What happens if the landlord does not provide a required translation?

Under § 1632(k)(1), the person aggrieved may rescind the lease in the manner the chapter provides. A clause in which the tenant waives the translation does not help the landlord, because § 1632(l) makes any waiver void and unenforceable.

Which version of the lease controls, the English or the translation?

The English version determines the parties' rights and obligations. The translation is admissible only to show that no contract was formed because of a substantial difference in material terms (§ 1632(j)).

Do house rules have to be translated?

Not under § 1632. Rules and regulations governing a tenancy and inventories of furnishings are not part of the "contract" for this section (§ 1632(g)(3)). Later documents that substantially change the lease are part of it.

This is general information, not legal advice. Laws change; confirm the current text and your situation with a California attorney.

McKee Properties manages rentals from its Coronado office; contact us with questions about your property.

Sources

Verified October 19, 2026.

Talk With a Local Property Expert

Ask your questions, get honest answers, and see if we’re the right fit — no commitment.

Schedule a Call