Civil Code section 1812.643

(a)

Except as provided in subdivision (b), a lessor who obtains the signature of more than one person on a rental-purchase agreement shall deliver the notice set forth in subdivision (c) to each person before that person signs the agreement.

(b)

This section does not apply if the persons signing the agreement are married to each other or in fact receive possession of the property described in the agreement.

(c)

The notice required by this section is as follows:
If you sign this contract, you will have the same responsibility for the property and the same obligation to make payments that every renter has.
If any renter does not pay, you may have to pay the full amount owed, including late fees, and you may have to pay for certain loss or damage to the property.
The lessor may collect from you without first trying to collect from any other renter. The lessor can use the same collection methods against you that can be used against any renter, such as suing you or garnishing your wages.
This notice is not the contract that makes you responsible.
Before you sign, be sure you can afford to pay if you have to, and that you want to accept this responsibility.”

(d)

The notice required by subdivision (c) shall be printed in at least 10-point boldface type in English and Spanish. If the rental-purchase agreement is required to be written in a language other than English or Spanish, the notice shall be written in English and, in addition or in lieu of Spanish, in that other language.

(e)

If the notice set forth in subdivision (c) is included with the text of the rental-purchase agreement, the notice shall appear immediately above or adjacent to the disclosures required by subdivision (b) of Section 1812.623. If the notice is not included with the text of the agreement, the notice shall be on a separate sheet which shall not contain any other text except as is necessary to identify the lessor and agreement to which the notice refers and to provide for the date and the person’s acknowledgment of receipt.

(f)

The lessor shall give each person entitled to notice under this section a copy of the completed rental-purchase agreement before obtaining that person’s signature.

(g)

If a person entitled to receive notice and a copy of the rental-purchase agreement under this section does not receive the notice or agreement in the manner required, that person has no liability in connection with the rental-purchase transaction.

Source: Section 1812.643, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=CIV§ionNum=1812.­643.­ (accessed Apr. 24, 2025).

Last Updated

Apr. 24, 2025

§ 1812.643’s source at ca​.gov