Maintenance obligations costa rica | Landager

Under the General Law of Urban and Suburban Tenancies (Law No. 7527), effective August 17, 1995, maintenance in Costa Rican rentals is divided into "structural" and "preservative" vs. "daily use" items. As a landlord, you are legally obligated to keep the property in a habitable state. This means the roof must be sound, the electrical system safe, and the water lines functional. If a pipe bursts in the wall, it's your bill. Tenants are responsible for "minor repairs" (reparaciones locativas). This includes things like replacing broken tiles, fixing cabinets they damaged, or unclogging sinks from daily use. If a major repair is needed and you refuse to do it, the tenant can apply for a "rent reduction" or judicial authorization for repairs through the civil court system (Juzgados Civiles). To avoid this, it's best to have a clear maintenance log and respond to repair requests within 24-48 hours.

Defining Repair Responsibilities

Maintaining a property in Costa Rica's tropical climate is an ongoing task. Law 7527 divides these tasks into two clear buckets: Major and Minor.

Structural and Major Maintenance

The landlord is responsible for keeping the property in a state of "habitabilidad." This includes the roof, external walls, foundations, main electrical panels, and internal water pipes. If the roof develops a leak during the rainy season, it is 100% the landlord's duty to fix it immediately. Failing to do so can give the tenant the right to terminate the lease without penalty or seek a significant rent reduction.

Tenant's Daily Upkeep

Tenants are responsables for "reparaciones locativas." These are repairs caused by daily use, such as fixing a broken toilet handle, replacing burnt-out lightbulbs, or repairing a window they broke. Tenants are also responsible for the cleanliness of the unit and the prevention of mold, which is a major issue in Costa Rica.

Inspections and Access

Landlords have the right to inspect the property once a month. This is highly recommended to catch maintenance issues early. However, you must provide notice. Surprising a tenant with an inspection is a violation of their constitutional right to privacy and can lead to a formal police report (denuncia) against the landlord.

How Landager Helps

Landager tracks lease terms, automated rent reminders, and document expiration - making it easy to stay compliant with Costa-rica regulations.

Back to Costa-rica Landlord-Tenant Laws OverviewPreview unavailable.