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Living Retiring in Costa Rica: House & Apartment Rentals

Housing is affordable and plentiful in Costa Rica. With the exception of downtown San Jose, rent for houses or apartments are reasonable (half or less the cost in the United States). Depending on location and personal taste, a small house or large apartment usually rents for a few hundred dollars per month. A luxurious house or apartment will go for $800 to $1500 per month or more. Most of these upper-end houses and apartments have all the amenities of home: large bedrooms, a spectacular view, pools, gardens with fruit trees, bathrooms with hot water, kitchens, dining rooms, a laundry room and even maid’s quarters, since help is so inexpensive in Costa Rica.

In the lower range— from $300 to $700—you can expect to find a two to three bedroom house or apartment in a middle class neighborhood. Since the majority of Costa Ricans pay less than $150 monthly for rent, a few hundred dollars should rent a nice place to live. Most affordable houses and apartments are unfurnished. However, you can usually buy a complete household of furniture from someone who is leaving the country. This way you can save money. Most of these cheaper places will not have hot water. In the shower there will probably be an electric device that heats the water. If there is not one of these devices, you can buy one for about $30 and have it installed for a few dollars.

When looking for a place, remember to check the phone, the shower, the closet size, kitchen cabinets, electrical outlets, light fixtures, the toilet, faucets and water pressure, locks, general security of building, windows and the condition of the stove, refrigerator and furniture, if furnished. Look at ceilings for telltale leaks and stains.

Also, check for traffic noise, signs of insects and rodents and what the neighbors are like. Ask about the proximity of buses and availability of taxis. Have anything you sign translated into English before you sign it. Don’t sign anything you don’t understand based on the landlord’s word of honor. You should be aware that by law landlords could raise rents where the contract is in colones a maximum of 15% annually. On the other hand, contracts in dollars may only be raised once every three years.

There is a publication that you can purchase which explains in detail how the country’s rental laws work (La Ley General de Arrendamientos Urbanos y Suburbanos Ley 7527). A Spanish version is available at www.asamblea.go.cr. For the latest listings go to : Costa Rica Classifieds.

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