Discovering Costa Rica

Understanding the Rental Contract + According to rental laws in Costa Rica, if the rent is in USD or in any other foreign currency, there is no rent increase for the first three years. There is a 15% increase yearly if the rent is in Costa Rican colones + One-month security deposit must be given upfront + Landlords will accept rental contracts starting one month ahead. It is difficult to get them to agree to wait any longer for a lease to start. It is advisable that the home finding takes place one month prior to beginning of the assignment and not more in order to successfully secure the chosen house + All negotiations to be completed prior to signing lease + Landlords can negotiate with two tenants at a time. If renters or their companies become “too demanding,” a landlord will stop negotiating and move to the next offer + No guarantor required on leases + Rent payments should be made every month on the date the lease was signed, regardless of the day of the month + Condominium fees are usually included in the rent + Expats can sign leases with a passport; a work permit or residency is not required to sign a lease Maintaining a Rental Property + Rental contracts are for three years – renewable every year up to three years + According to Costa Rican law, the tenant must adhere to and understand the following: − Receipt of property and its contents are in good condition except where noted − The tenant is responsible for repairs resulting or originating from negligence − Keep in direct communication with landlord to report any type of repairs needed. This should be in writing − It is the landlord’s responsibility to perform routine maintenance on all appliances including pool, boiler, and air conditioner. It is the tenant’s responsibility to clean, change filters, and care for all appliances, pool, and air conditioning − It is the tenant’s responsibility to turn over the house at the end of the lease in as good condition as it was received at the beginning of the lease, except normal wear and tear. All holes in the walls from hanging pictures have to be patched and the walls painted. All damages must be repaired and the house thoroughly cleaned

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Discovering Costa Rica