The Legal Guide to Costa Rica provides the answers to most of the questions you will have about living and doing business in Costa Rica. The Legal Guide to Costa Rica will allow you to make informed decisions about your transactions in Costa Rica. Each chapter is organized into a specific area of law which in turn provides valuable information on several legal topics. These topics include, real estate transactions, corporations, residency and immigration, commercial transactions, banking and finance, powers of attorney, environmental laws, copyrights, trademarks, worker’s compensation, automobile regulations, taxation, social security, labor legislation and much more. The appendix includes examples of some of the most common legal forms which you are likely to encounter in Costa Rica. The forms, which have been translated into English are a valuable reference tool for understanding the transactions which you will undertake.

 The information provided in The Legal Guide to Costa Rica will hopefully educate you about the Costa Rican legal system and provide you with the necessary knowledge so that you make informed decisions and confidently maneuver with the legal system.

Land Sea Services Property Management office is an authorized national distributor of The Legal Guide to Costa Rica.  We do not distribute it abroad, but can ship to locations in Costa Rica for $25.00 pre-paid including free shipping and handling.  We have it available in our Golfito office retail center as well, offering 20% off to our drop in clients.

The information supplied here are excerpts from the "must have book" for anyone thinking about moving to Costa Rica or just purchasing land for your retirement/vacation home.

Buying property and constructing buildings or a home can be an intimidating process, even when you are at home in the culture and know what to expect and plan for. In a foreign country, the same processes can be downright frightening. In a new setting, you need to learn what the usual way to go about things is and also who is legally and ethically responsible for what-in other words you should invest some time in learning how things work and how to protect your investment. Fortunately, in Costa Rica there is a defined process through which an intelligent buyer and builder should proceed. In addition, there is a licensing body for architects and engineers, which also sets standards for fees should you, decide to build. But let's start at the beginning.
 

I want to purchase property in Costa Rica. What is required?

So you've found, either through a real estate agent or your own searches, a piece of property that is perfect for you. Once you have negotiated a sales price and the seller has accepted your offer, then the legal procedures for transferring ownership of title begin.

How is title transferred?

In Costa Rica, property is transferred from seller to buyer by executing a transfer deed (escritura) before a Notary Public. Unlike common law countries, such as the United States and Canada, where the role of the Notary is limited to authenticating signatures, in Costa Rica the Notary public has extensive powers to act on behalf of the state. The Notary public must be an attorney and she or he may draft and interpret legal documents, as well as authenticate and certify the authenticity of documents.

In order to close on the property, the buyer and seller must select a Notary/attorney who will draft the transfer deed and register the sale in the Public Registry (Registro Nacional). The local custom is that the buyer may select his or her Notary/attorney to draft the transfer deed if paying cash for the property. If the purchase price is financed, there are generally three alternatives for selecting the Notary/attorney.

1. If a large percentage of the purchase price is being financed by the seller and a mortgage needs to be drafted to guarantee payment, then the seller may request that her or his Notary/attorney draft the transfer deed.

2. If a property is purchased 50 percent cash and 50 percent financed, it is common for the buyer's attorney and seller's attorney to jointly draft the transfer deed and mortgage in a single document. This is known as co-Notariado.

3. Finally, the buyer nay insist that his or her Notary/attorney draft the transfer deed and let the seller's Notary/attorney draft a separate mortgage instrument. In this case, because the mortgage is being drafted separately, it carries a higher registration fee. The registration fees are discussed below in the section on closing costs.

At your option, the property can be purchased in an individual's name, jointly with other persons, or in the name of a corporation. The decision as to ownership should be based upon your particular situation and after consultation with your attorney.
 

How can I ensure that I have clear title to the property?

Costa Rican law requires that all documents relating to an interest and/or title to real property be registered in the property section of the Public Registry (Article 460 of the Civil Code). Most properties have a titled registration number known as the folio real, and the records database can be searched with this number or by name index. The Public Registry report (informe registral) provides detailed information on the property, including the name of the title holder, boundary lines, tax appraisal, liens, mortgages, recorded easements, and other recorded instruments that would affect title.

Since Costa Rica follows the doctrine of first in time, first in right, recorded instruments presented to the Public Registry are given priority according to the date and time in which they are recorded. Obviously, every situation differs and in some cases a review of the Public Registry record will not be enough to uncover all encumbrances. That is why it is important that the buyer have her or his own attorney conduct an independent title search and investigation rather than rely on the seller's attorney.

How about closing costs?

The general custom is for the buyer and seller to share equally in the closing costs. This can be modified by agreement and usually depends upon the particular transaction. Closing costs involve three things: government taxes and fees, Notary fee, and mortgage costs, if any.

Part 2

[A] Government Transfer Tax and Registration Fees

(1) Real Estate Transfer Tax. - The government collects a property transfer tax (Impuesto de Traspaso ) which is equal to 1.5% of the registered value of the property. The Public Registry will Not record a transfer deed unless the transfer taxes and documentary stamps have been paid. (The transfer tax was reduced from 3% to 1.5% by Law No. 7764 effective May 22, 1998)

(2) Documentary Stamps - The government also requires that documentary stamps be affixed to the deed. These stamps include the following: Municipal Stamp: (Timbre Municipal) ;Legal Bar Association Stamp (Timbre del Colegio de Abogados); Agricultural Stamp (Timbre Agrario); National Archives Stamp (Timbre del Archivo Nacional); Fiscal Stamp:(Especie Fiscal). The Public Registry also imposes its own tax of .05% on documents presented for recordation to the Public Registry. (Derechos de Registro)

[B] Notary Fees

The Notary that drafted the contract for sale and carried out the closing is entitled by law (Decree 2307-J) to a fee equal to 1.5% of the first one million Colones of the actual sales price and 1.25% on the balance. The Attorney and Notary fee schedule which was established by Executive Decree No. 2307-J on April 4, 1991 was repealed on February 9, 1999 (Decree No. 27624-J). However, in October of 1999, the Supreme Court of Costa Rica ruled that the Decree which repealed the Fee schedule was unconstitutional and reinstated the original fee schedule.

[C] Mortgage costs.

It is customary for the person who is receiving financing to pay the costs of drafting and registering the mortgage instrument. A mortgage can be created simultaneously at the time of sale by adding a mortgage clause in the transfer deed. Or, a separate mortgage instrument can be drafted. A mortgage document pays registration fees of 1.00 Colon for every 1,000 Colones. The mortgage document also pays documentary stamps. The Notary Public will also charge for drafting the mortgage instrument and that fee can range from approximately 0.625 percent to 1.25 percent of the amount of the mortgage, depending on the circumstances involved. The buyer should be aware that Costa Rican real estate transactions commonly operate on a two-tiered system. Since Costa Rican properties have a low property tax appraisal base in relation to market value, it is a customary practice to run property sales through at the registered value, which may be substantially less than the actual sales price of the property. In such a case, all transfer taxes and fees discussed above would apply to the registered value as opposed to its sales price, with the exception of the Notary fee. Buyers should consult their attorney about the potential risks of this practice.

Registration of the transfer deed.

Once all the fees have been paid, it is the obligation of the Notary who drafted the transfer deed to ensure that the deed is presented (aNotado) and registered (inscrito) in the Property Section of the Public Registry. I have stressed the words presented and registered to highlight the importance of following up with the Notary to ensure registration. Although presentation guarantees your priority (i.e., first in time, first in right), it does Not automatically guarantee registration. The Public Registry will Not register a transfer deed unless all taxes and registration fees are included; a certified copy from the Municipality where the property is located is provided certifying that the seller's property tax (bienes inmuebles) and municipal assesments (impuestos municipales) have been paid through the date of closing. Likewise, any prior instruments that encumber the property(i.e., mortgages, liens, judgments, etc.) must be lifted before your transfer deed will be registered.

Once a transfer deed is accepted for registration, the Public Registry will return the original document with all the documentary stamps affixed to it and properly sealed. Assuming No defects in the transfer deed, it should be registered by the Public Registry with 45 to 60 days after presentation. It is therefore important to follow up with the Notary to ensure registration, otherwise you will run into problems in the future when you decide to resell the property and find out that your sale was Not registered.

Beach Front Property.

In most cases, beach front property is untitled property because in Costa Rica the ownership and possession of the shoreline is governed by the Maritime Zone Law (Ley Sobre la Zona Maritimo Terrestre) which restricts the possession and ownership of beach front property. By law the first 200 meters of beach front starting at the high tide markers is owned by the government. Of the 200 meters, the first 50 are deemed public zones and Nobody may posses or controls that area. On the remaining 150 meters the government through the local Municipal government will lease by way of concessions the land to private individuals. The Maritime Zone Law provides restrictions as to foreign ownership or possession of beach front property so a more through and careful study is always required when considering beach front property in Costa Rica.  Note: In zones under the jurisdiction of MINAE (the forestry ministry) other restrictions and regulations may apply.

Building in Costa Rica

I want to build. What do I do?

In order to build in Costa Rica, you will likely face a bureaucratic maze of governmental regulations. The law requires that any application for a construction permit be presented by a licensed architect or engineer (Article 83, Law of Constructions, Article II.2 Construction Regulations). It is therefore advisable to contact a reputable, licensed architect or civil engineer to guide you through the construction process.

What do architects and engineers charge?

All architects and engineers in Costa Rica must be licensed by the Costa Rican Association of Engineers and Architects (Colegio Federado de Ingenieros y Ingenieros y Arquitectos-CFIA. This governing body establishes the fee schedule that can be charged by its members. Most fees are based upon a percentage of the value of the construction project. According to the regulations of the CFIA (Reglamento para la Contratación de Servicios de Consultoría en Ingeniería y Arquitectura), the involvement of a licensed architect/engineer in a construction project is separated into two phases. Phase 1 is construction plans and permits, and phase 2 is control and execution.

Phase 1. Construction plans and permits.

This phase is further subdivided into several distinct professional services that can be provided to the client by the architect/engineer. The percentages cited below are those that the CFIA has established as minimum chargeable fees. Preliminary studies (estudios preliminaries): 0.5 percent. These studies may or may Not be required, depending on the scope of the project.

Preproject design (anteproyecto): 1.0 to 1.5 percent. Generally, during this stage, the architect/engineer will meet with the client in order to discuss the client's construction requirements. With this information, the architect/engineer will prepare drafts of the proposed construction project for review by the client. These drafts should include site planning and preliminary work drawings. When you contract for this service be sure you agree with your architect/engineer beforehand on what he or she is going to provide you.

Construction plans and technical specifications (Planos de construcción y especificaciones técnicas): 4.0 percent. This is one of the most important steps in the overall construction project since execution of the project will depend upon the quality and accuracy of your construction plans. Once you and your architect/engineer have agreed on the layout and design of the project, she or he will begin drafting the plans. In Costa Rica, a complete set of plans should include a site plan, distribution plan, elevation and transversal and longitude perspectives, roof design and drainage, design of footings and support beams, structural plans, electrical design, mechanical and sanitary system design, as well as a plan that details all of the interior finishings of the construction. Budgeting (presupuesto): 0.5 percent for global budgeting; 1.0 percent for itemized budgeting. Here the architect/engineer prepares a materials list based upon your construction plans and prepares a construction budget for you.

Phase 2. Control and execution.

This stage involves the actual construction and project supervision. The regulations authorize three kinds of supervisory tasks, each of which requires a larger time investment from the architect/engineer. Inspection (Inspección): 3 percent of total construction value. Here your architect/engineer will visit the construction site at least once a week and will inspect it to ensure that the plan specifications are being followed by the general contractor. They will also verify the quality of the materials being used and review invoices being presented by the general contractor.

Supervision (Dirección técnica): 5 percent. This requires more direct involvement by the architect/engineer in the day-to-day operation of the project.

Administration (Administración): 12 percent. Here, the architect/engineer takes complete responsibility for the execution and completion of the project.

The option you choose will depend upon the type of project involved, the reliability of your builder/general contractor, and the amount of time you are willing to dedicate to the construction project. All told, phases 1 and 2 can range from 9 percent to 18 percent of the estimated value of the construction project, depending on the amount of services required. As such, it is common practice to negotiate fees with the architect/engineer. Most, of course, will be eager for your business and, depending on the scope of the project will be willing to work out an agreement tailored to your particular needs. Otherwise, have your attorney do the negotiating for you to ensure that you will get the best agreement possible.

Before you sign any contract, be sure that you understand the fee structure and kNow exactly what is and is Not included in the fee. Likewise, clearly define the responsibilities that your architect/engineer is going to assume. Do the same thing with your general contractor and any subcontractors.

Construction permits.

Before you purchase a lot with the intent of building on it, you should conduct some preliminary studies on the property to ensure that there won't be a problem obtaining a building permit. First, determine if the lot has basic services such as water, electricity, telephone, and drainage. Second, make sure there are No restrictions placed on the lot that could result in the denial of a construction permit. It will Not be enough to check the Public Registry. You should also check the Ministry of Public Works (Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transporte) for future road construction projects; the Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud); the National Institute of Housing and Urban Development (Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo) and the municipality where the property is located (municipalidad). And finally, be aware of any environmental regulation that may effect your construction project, such as national wildlife refuges and areas deemed protected by the forestry Law.

Requests for construction permits are filed with the Permit Reception Office (Oficina Receptora de Permisos de Construcción), which is a centralized office that houses government representatives from MOPT (Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes-roads), INVU (Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo-housing), ICE (Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad-telephone), AYA (Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados-water), SNE (Servicio Nacional de Electricidad-electricity), CFIA (Colegio Federado de Ingenieros y Arquitectos), and the Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud).

For a single family home that measures more than 70 m2 (735.2 ft.2), the applicant must provide the following documentation: four copies of the construction plans, four copies of the property cadastre plot plan (Plano catastrado), four copies of the permit checklist (hoja de comisión), two copies of your property deed (escritura), one copy of the consulting contract with your architect/engineer (contrato de consultoria), an approval from the water company (AYA) regarding availability of water, and one copy of your electrical design plan approved by SNE. Condominium projects, commercial construction, and urbanization projects all carry additional requirements for obtaining construction permits.

In addition to these requirements, you will need to request a building permit from the municipality in which the property is located. By law it is the municipality that is delegated the responsibility to ensure that all constructions comply with building regulations (Article 1, Construction Law). You can, therefore, expect periodic visits to your construction site by the municipal building inspector, who must certify that the construction is proceeding according to code.

Whether you purchase an existing property or decide to build your dream home, be well informed about the procedures involved and careful about the professionals you engage in route,  ensuring your decisions will be well founded and your investment will be a secure and profitable.
 

The information supplied here are excerpts from the must have book, The Legal Guide to Costa Rica.  It is an invaluable resource for anyone thinking about moving to Costa Rica or just purchasing land for your retirement/vacation home. It also has an invaluable amount of information about citizenships, visas, work permits, labor laws for anyone thinking about starting a business here in Costa Rica.

The author was born in Costa Rica and still lives here Now, but is a US citizen that studied law in the states. He really answers the questions needed to know in order to purchase and build your piece of paradise here.

The Legal Guide to Costa Rica by Roger A. Petersen

BUY YOUR COPY OF THE LEGAL GUIDE TO COSTA RICA AT LAND SEA PROPERTY SERVICES, GOLFITO, COSTA RICA.