General Law of Urban and Suburban Leases - Tenant Rights

La Ley General de Arrendamientos Urbanos y Suburbanos (Ley N.º 7527, del 10 de julio de 1995), also known as the tenancy law, regulates residential and commercial lease agreements in Costa Rica, aiming to balance the rights of the landlord (owner) and the tenant.

Minimum lease term: the law sets a minimum term of 3 years for the lease agreement, provided the tenant fulfills their obligations (pay on time, care for the property, etc.).

Tenant rights:

• Maintain the lease for up to 3 years if they meet their obligations.
• Receive a receipt for each payment made.
• The security deposit is limited by law (it cannot be an arbitrary amount).
• Receive the property in good condition.
• Request repairs when necessary.
• Not be evicted without a judicial process — a landlord cannot remove a tenant on their own ("de facto eviction"); they must do so through an eviction proceeding in court.
• Deposit the payment in court in case of a dispute with the landlord (e.g., if the landlord refuses to accept the payment).

Regarding the deposit: the law limits the amount of the security deposit — the handling of the deposit must be transparent and in accordance with the law, to protect both the tenant and the landlord.

Eviction: it is processed through a judicial eviction proceeding, not directly by the landlord. The court handling the case may grant an additional period for eviction, up to 30 days, in cases of illness, abandonment, or other justified force majeure.

Note: this summary covers general rights — each lease agreement may have specific clauses, and conflict cases (eviction, non-payment, property damage) depend on the specific circumstances. For a particular case, consult a lawyer specialized in this area.