Locatario

Locatario is the person who uses a property through a locación or lease contract and pays rent to the owner, known as the locador. The term is common in civil-law jurisdictions, especially in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries. In Brazil and parts of Latin America the masculine form locatário (locatária for females) is widely used; in some contexts, other terms like arrendatario or inquilino may appear as synonyms.

The locatario enters a contractual relationship that grants the right to use the property for a defined period. The lease contract specifies key terms such as rent, duration, security deposit, maintenance responsibilities, permitted uses, rules about subletting, and conditions for termination or renewal.

Rights of the locatario typically include the right to peaceful enjoyment of the property for the term of the contract, subject to the agreed use and obligations. The property should meet basic habitability standards and be safe. The locatario usually has the right to reasonable privacy and to notice before entry by the landlord, as well as to prompt repairs of non-conforming issues, within the limits of the agreement and local law. Renewal or extension options may be available under the contract or applicable regulations.

Obligations of the locatario commonly include paying rent on time, maintaining the property in good condition (beyond normal wear), promptly reporting damages, complying with the lease terms and building rules, not subletting without consent, and returning the property at the end of the term in the agreed condition.

Regional variations exist, and local statutes greatly influence rights and duties. For precise rules, consult the specific lease contract and applicable housing or civil law in the relevant jurisdiction.