The Spanish word for landlord is "propietario" or "dueño"

Propietario is the formal, legal term for a landlord — the person who owns the property. You will see it in leases, court documents, and official correspondence. Dueño means "owner" and is more casual; tenants often use it in everyday conversation. Both are correct; which one you use depends on the formality of the situation.

If you are speaking to your landlord directly, you might also hear casero (in Spain) or arrendador (in Latin America), though these are less common in formal documents. The feminine forms are propietaria, dueña, casera, and arrendadora.

Key Takeaways

  • Propietario is the formal legal term for landlord and appears in leases and court documents.
  • Dueño is the casual, everyday word tenants use when speaking to or about their landlord.
  • Casero and arrendador are regional alternatives, but propietario and dueño cover nearly all situations.
  • Feminine forms follow the same pattern: propietaria, dueña, casera, and arrendadora.
  • If you are reading a Spanish-language lease or rental agreement, look for propietario to identify the property owner.

When to use propietario versus dueño

Use propietario when the context is legal or formal. If you are reading a lease (contrato de arrendamiento), a court notice, or a formal letter from your landlord's attorney, the document will use propietario. If you are filling out a complaint form or writing to a housing authority, propietario is the safer choice because it matches the language of official systems.

Use dueño in conversation with neighbors, friends, or your landlord directly in a casual setting. "Mi dueño no arregla la puerta" (my landlord won't fix the door) is natural and clear. Dueño is also the word you will hear most often in everyday Spanish-language media and conversation.

Other rental-related words in Spanish

If you are navigating a rental situation in Spanish, these terms appear frequently. Inquilino is the tenant (the person renting). Contrato de arrendamiento is the lease agreement. Renta or alquiler means rent (alquiler is more common in Spain; renta in Latin America). Depósito is the security deposit.

Mantenimiento is maintenance, and reparación is repair — both words you may need if something breaks. Desalojo means eviction. Aviso is notice (as in "notice to vacate"). Knowing these terms helps you understand letters, leases, and conversations with your landlord or a housing authority.

Reading a Spanish-language lease

The opening of a Spanish lease typically reads: "Entre [propietario name], en lo sucesivo el PROPIETARIO, e [tenant name], en lo sucesivo el INQUILINO..." (Between [landlord name], hereinafter the LANDLORD, and [tenant name], hereinafter the TENANT...). The document will use these capitalized terms throughout to refer to each party.

The section on rent will say something like "El inquilino pagará al propietario una renta mensual de..." (The tenant will pay the landlord a monthly rent of...). Payment terms, maintenance responsibilities, and grounds for eviction follow. If you do not understand a section, ask your landlord or a local tenant rights organization to explain it before you sign.

Regional differences in Spanish

Spain uses casero more often in casual speech than Latin America does. Mexico, Central America, and South America lean toward propietario and dueño. Arrendador appears in some legal documents in Spain and parts of Latin America but is less common in everyday use.

If you are renting in a Spanish-speaking country and unsure of local terminology, ask your landlord directly: "¿Cómo prefieres que te llame?" (How do you prefer I call you?). Most landlords will clarify, and it shows respect for their preference.

When you need to contact a housing authority in Spanish

If you are filing a complaint or seeking information from a local housing authority in a Spanish-speaking area, use propietario in written communication. Forms and official letters expect formal language. You may see arrendatario (tenant) instead of inquilino in some official documents, though both are correct.

If you are calling a housing office or tenant rights organization, staff will understand either propietario or dueño. Speaking clearly and slowly helps if Spanish is not your first language. Many housing authorities in bilingual areas have Spanish-speaking staff or interpreters available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is propietario the same as dueño?

Both mean landlord or owner, but propietario is formal and legal, while dueño is casual. In a lease or court document, you will see propietario. In conversation, dueño is more natural. Either word refers to the same person.

What do I call the person renting from the landlord?

The tenant is the inquilino (or arrendatario in formal documents). If you are the tenant, you are the inquilino. The landlord is the propietario or dueño.

What is the Spanish word for a lease?

A lease is a contrato de arrendamiento or straightforward contrato. You may also hear acuerdo de alquiler (rental agreement) in casual speech, though contrato de arrendamiento is the formal term.

If my landlord speaks Spanish, should I use propietario or dueño?

In casual conversation, dueño is fine and sounds natural. If you are writing a formal letter or email about a legal matter, use propietario. Your landlord will understand both, but propietario signals that you are treating the matter seriously.

What does "desalojo" mean?

Desalojo means eviction — the legal removal of a tenant from a property. If you receive a notice mentioning desalojo, it is a formal eviction notice. Contact a local tenant rights organization or housing authority when ready for guidance.