www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I'll make this short: I rented a very nice three bedroom apartment a little south of the San Pedro Mall in the Los Yoses barrio. At the outset, I advised the landlord that I would have frequent visitors and asked about policy. He said that was no problem and that if I decided to throw a party to be sure to invite the neighbors. The apartment is very private. There are only two apartments per floor and we share no walls with the neighbors, only floor and ceiling.

I got a call from the landlord after the first week saying he had a noise complaint. We had not been playing music loudly and the only noise I could remember was a joking chica who banged the headboard agaisnt the wall and make some passionate noises for a few seconds one night to let me know she was having a good time (she was next door in Ken's room and just joking around).

A week later I got a second phone call, again complaining about noise. The night before, Ken had thoroughly and quite loudly phucked his favorita as she braced her feet against the shower walls (I can't fault him for that...I would have done the same had he given me a turn). The shower window opens to an airshaft between the apartments and the echoing "RICO PAPIs" were pretty loud. Hey, some women get a little louder than others...what's a monger to do? This time the landlord said that the neighbors were threatening to call the police. I said let them call...I'll dial for them.

Yesterday we got a letter advising that we cease and desist with the chicas because we were tarnishing the reputation of the condos with our women "of ill repute". We meet with the landlord tomorrow to try to see if I can get some of my $1100 deposit back.

Word to the wiser than I: Make sure that the landlord knows exactly what is on the vagenda before you sign a contract.

_________________
"Your love gives me such a thrill
but your love don't pay my bills,
I NEED THE MONEY!" - John Lee Hooker

Disclaimer: The above is merely the opinion of the author unless specific scientific data is included.
Your mileage may vary. https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewto ... 978#206978

sorry to hear about your issues Pac, Getting a deposit back will be unlikely. My first apartment in Rohrmoser was owned by a single guy with the same habits as us. My second was a townhouse style codo with its own private entrance from the street. My current is a common entrance multifloor building which could pose more of a problem now that I am single. The common entrance area places cause a higher likelihood for a problem.

Are you sure that it wasn't because you get causing eletrical blackouts?

BKTUNA
I am never going home

I can see where the management would see "frequent visitors" and "parties" differently than screamin' chicas in the throes of sexual passion.

I am constantly asked by people "Why I don't rent an apartment when I stay in San Jose?" The general thought seems to be that it is cheaper than paying for a hotel room at the Castillo. I always give them the standard answer as to why I prefer a hotel room over an apartment:

1. I like the daily maid service.

2. I like the laundry service.

3. I like the daily breakfast service.

4. I like the free internet access with the hotel computer.

5. I like that Patricia or Marta are always at the front desk answering the phones when I'm out, and giving me the messages from my chica friends when I return.

6. I like the close proximity of the Castillo to all the "attractions" I like, thus saving me cab fares.

7. I don't have to fool around with things like "security deposits."

8. I don't have to fool around with "utilities" or other such things.

Sure....it costs a little more, but it's worth it.

Zebra

You should just sound-proof your bedroom right off the bat in the next apartment. Seriously. The walls in CR are usually paper-thin, so putting some sound-proof material in the room wouldn't be a bad idea. It probably wouldn't cost too much (probably less than $1100).

Since he's breaking the lease, not you, he should return your deposit. But this is a logical gringo way of thinking. Undoubtedly, there is a MUY TICO moment coming up for you, just makes sure you come back and post it.

I agree that in the future, you need to be clearer as far as what is going to happen with visitors and screaming orgasms.

The landlord and male tenants are probably pissed they weren't invited to one of your parties like you promised.

Zebra,
And number 9. NOBODY QUESTIONS MY CHOICE OF VISITORS

touche'

Here's where a little pre-rental interviewing can be helpful.

We come to C.R. to party, screw, have fun. Problem is, if we rent an apartment we're often under the same roof as a guy who needs to be up at 4:30 a.m. to go to work, a mother with small fry who need to sleep and the like.

Asking questions about the other tenants' habits and requirements can help you eliminate certain difficulties. I know, hindsight is 20/20, but you might be renting again in the future.

The only rental I would seriously consider in San Jose would be a freestanding house or alternately, an apartment/condoplex populated by young single people.

Another bit of 20/20 hindsight: When first approached by a landlord about noise, it's important to discuss exactly what noises the neighbors found to be objectionable. If it's tunes or TV, the volume control is a simple solution. If it's screaming chicas....


Ball gag. Oh wait... you already do that shit.

_________________
Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

Not to be Negative but I searched the records of 1,374,812 transactions involving rental deposits and I did not find one person , Tico , USA, or other
that has actually received money back from a landlord in Costa Rica. OK, I made this up but I will be really surprised if any one chimes in and states that they have received a deposit return on an apartment.

Unless the laws have changed there...I dont think you have much to worry about. Renters have more rights than the owners in Costa Rica. It is a long process to "Evict" someone...even for non payment. And yes, most people in CR just dont pay their last month rent and then move out. Pretty standard practice. WHen in ROme...

Of course, wherever we go...hotels or apts...we should show some respect or concern for our host neighbors living in peace also. I have been known to cup my hand over a moaning partners mouth more than a few times to "not disturb the neighbors". Are orgasms bigger or more pleasurable just because someone is "screaming"? I never quite understood the necessity of that in some people.

_________________
All that a man achieves and all that he fails to achieve is the direct result of his own thoughts...

TMan is correct in that eviction is an arduous task in Costa Rica. While I could not find a reference as to eviction for noise or morals I did find this for non-payment of rent which would seem a more serious breach of contract. Take notice of the last sentence which I put in bold letters as it confirms TMan's experiences.

"
Eviction of a Tenant
Written by Roger Petersen
Monday, 31 December 2007

How to Evict a Tenant


If you have a tenant and your property is one that qualifies under the Costa Rican Tenancy Law (Ley General de Arrendamientos Urbanos y Suburbanos) you can initiate an eviction for non-payment of rent action under the Summary Process provided for by the Code of Civil Procedure (Codigo Procesal Civil).


The eviction process for non-payment of rent pursuant to the summary procedure is initiated by filing a complaint with the court and serving the tenant with a summons. The complaint must indicate the names of the parties, the factual and legal basis for the complaint, and the legal description of the property.


Along with the complaint the landlord must include (a) a copy of the lease contract, if any; (b) a certificate of property ownership setting forth the legal description of the property. (c) an appraisal of the property prepared by a licensed Engineer or by the Property Tax Revenue Department. This is to demonstrate the house is not within the values of low income housing where eviction would have to follow a different process.

Once served with the complaint, the tenant has five (5) days in which to respond to the complaint for eviction by filing an answer setting forth any of their defenses. If the tenant files an answer and formally opposes the complaint for eviction the court will allow three (3) days for the taking of evidence. At the close of this evidentiary period the court will analyze the evidence presented before it and issue its final judgment. If the tenant fails to respond and/or oppose the complaint for eviction the court will enter a default judgment which orders the tenant to vacate the property. If the tenant fails to comply with the order then the police with proper jurisdiction can be commissioned to carry out the order of eviction.


Once the court issues a Final Judgment it issues a Writ of Possession which commands the police to restore possession of the premises to the owner. If need be, the police is authorized to place the personal property of the tenant in storage at his expense. Once the tenant is removed and the eviction complete, the landlord is entitled to file with the court a separate motion to collect un paid rent, interest, and damages, if any, incurred as a result of the eviction action.

As with all litigation procedures in Costa Rica the time frames can vary significantly depending on the court where the matter is litigated. Eviction actions can range from 3 months to a year depending on the circumstances."

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Informative post ID. Back when I lived in CR, these courts were backed up for MONTHS and even YEARS in cases. And yes, it is also based on QUALIFIED tenant contracts. I used to recommend to my clients in CR who wanted to rent out what they owned or were buying to enter into short term weekly or month to month contracts. There is no "tenancy" under these contracts. Its like selling a hotel room. THey pay...or they are out. No long processes.

It used to be, if things have not changed which I assume they havent, that once you rent an apt in CR, you have the right to stay there 3 YEARS as long as you pay your rent...and owners can only increase the rent a max 15% per year. Those, like the employment laws in CR, gives great disadvantage to the owner/landlord. I bring this up only as renewed warning for gringos tempted to become landlords in CR. Absentee? FAGETABOUDIT!

_________________
All that a man achieves and all that he fails to achieve is the direct result of his own thoughts...

The law remains the same as you remember. A rental contract is valid for a 3 year period regardless of the time specified in the contract. As wacky as this sounds, it is the law, you can sign a 1 year rental contract and at the end of that contract refuse to leave. As long as you pay your rent on time, and you legally can be 7 days late without penalty, you can stay another 2 years. The landlord must then give you 90 days notice of non renewal before those 3 years expire or it renews for an additional 3 years. Rent may be increased 15%, or more if inflation is high and the government changes that number, if the contract calls for payment in colones.If the contract is in USD then there can be no increase during the 3 years of tenancy.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

I stayed at an apartment my last trip. Fortunately, almost every guy I met there was also a monger (in fact, a few are members here). The only thing the landlord ever said about the chicas was how hot they were.

I did make some noise banging the headboard against the wall a few times with my more active chicas, but no complaints. However, my favorite experience was on night when some guy brought a Colombiana home and had that girl screaming LOUDLY for at least an hour and a half. . If this had been a "normal" apartment building someone would have (justifiably, IMHO) complained. Here, the only questions I heard were "who was the guy?" and "how hot was the chica?".

Thanks to all fpr the excellent input and to Jose Rodriguez for the translation assistance.

Long story short: I stood my ground and made some outrageous demands for restitution for slander. I met with the manager and rep of the owner. I chewed the managers butt for the harassment and threatened civil action if he had sent any letters to the authorities as he had threatened. I let them know that I was not leaving without my full deposit and that I was offended by the managers accusations.

I got a call from the owner a few hours after the meeting. He assured me that I was welcome to stay and that the whole thing was a misunderstanding (yeah, the manager "misunderstood" this gringo and thought he could rip me off for my deposit with idle threats). Muy Tico.

_________________
"Your love gives me such a thrill
but your love don't pay my bills,
I NEED THE MONEY!" - John Lee Hooker

Disclaimer: The above is merely the opinion of the author unless specific scientific data is included.
Your mileage may vary. https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewto ... 978#206978