Commercial eviction costa rica | Landager

Evicting a commercial tenant requires precision. Because commercial leases often involve higher dollar amounts and complex maintenance distributions (Triple Net leases), the "breach" is often more than just rent. It could be failure to maintain insurance or a violation of local zoning laws. In Costa Rica, the "self-help lockout" is just as illegal for storefronts as it is for apartments. Do not let the property's commercial nature trick you into thinking you can simply change the locks. You will be sued for "lost profits" (lucro cesante) which can be astronomically high for a functioning business. One advantage in commercial evictions is the "representative" rule. Most commercial tenants are S.A. or S.R.L. corporations. Serving the legal representative is usually more straightforward than finding a residency-hopping individual tenant, potentially shaving weeks off the notification process.

Evicting a Commercial Business Tenant

The commercial eviction process follows the same "Monitorio" path as residential but often moves faster because the "social protection" elements are reduced. Businesses are treated as equal parties in a contract.

The Danger of Lost Profits (Lucro Cesante)

NEVER perform a self-help lockout on a business. If you change the locks on a pharmacy or a retail store, you are stopping their ability to earn money. A judge could order you to pay for their "lost profits" during the time they were locked out, which could easily exceed several years of rent. You must follow the court process to the letter.

Seizing Assets (Embargo)

One advantage of commercial eviction is the ability to "embargo" assets. If the tenant owes six months of rent, your lawyer can ask the judge to freeze the company's bank accounts or seize the vehicles and equipment inside the unit as a guarantee for the debt. This is a powerful point that often leads to a settlement before the final eviction.

The Notarized Lease Advantage

If your commercial lease was signed before a notary in a "Protocol," you can apply for an "Immediate Writ of Execution." This skips the main trial and goes straight to the collection and eviction order. For high-value commercial properties, this is the only way to sign a lease.

How Landager Helps

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

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