Commercial Security Deposits in Costa Rica

Disclaimer: This guide provides general legal information for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Landlord-tenant laws change frequently. Always consult with a qualified attorney in Costa Rica for advice specific to your situation. Last verified: March 2026.

Average Amounts

Similar to residential rules, the General Law of Urban and Suburban Leases (Law No. 7527) does not foresee a statutory cap for requiring a quantitative threshold for business security deposits.

In the retail market or logistics warehouse leases, the requested deposit can scale depending on the adaptations and construction to be carried out, ranging from the equivalent of 1 month's general rent, to scenarios involving 2 to 3 months paid in advance. This depends entirely on variables such as the financial capacity of the renting business.

Application for Remodeling Restoration

For physical retail establishments, it's very common for tenants to undertake significant remodeling to install a "brand identity." As a consequence of terminating a contract, the deposit frequently serves financially for the landlord to cover the costs of returning the basic structural infrastructure to the so-called "obra gris" (grey shell) format, or to demolish and clean permanent modifications made that might aesthetically hinder renting the premises to a future contractor.