Discovering Costa Rica

Page 51

Departure

Three months’ notice is required at any time during the lease, and one-month notice

before the start date of the lease every year of the contract, up to three years

Tenant must supply all paid utility receipts (electricity, water, telephone, etc.) to the

landlord at the termination of the contract for the deposit to be reimbursed

The landlord may arrange to visit the property for inspection at any time as long as the

appointment has been set up in advance

The landlord has the right to show the house to prospective tenants during the last 30

days of the contract or when notified that the tenant is vacating the house

Security Deposit and Move-Out Walk Through

It is important that you make any repairs necessary before turning over your rental property at

the end of your lease. If your company pays for your rent, it will likely expect to be reimbursed

for the entire security deposit at the end of the lease term. If there are any damages, you will be

responsible for the proper repair or replacement of the items damaged.

To recover the rent security deposit, a walk-through of the property must be done before its final

inspection at the end of the lease term. The walk-through will determine if there are any

damages that must be repaired. In this walk-through, you, your landlord, and your Dwellworks

Consultant must be present. Your Dwellworks Consultant will provide you with two quotations

for any repairs that need to be done before departure.

Hiring Household Help

Costa Rica’s employment laws for domestic workers are strict and follow the “pro-worker”

international principle. All domestic employees whether they are paid on an hourly, weekly, or

monthly basis have the right to Social Security benefits from the Caja Costarricense de Seguro

Social (CCSS, similar to the U.S. Social Security System, “Social Security Office”). This

important institution pays for sick leave, general health care, pension funds, disability pensions,

and maternity care. (Labor Code, Article 104)

Costa Rican labor law states all workers must be enrolled with the Caja Costarricense de

Seguro Social and be protected by worker’s compensation insurance for work related

accidents. All workers, including hourly, salaried, or independent contractors must be

covered.