Residential Lease Agreement

Landlord: [Full legal name and identification number]

Tenant(s): [Full legal name(s) and identification number(s)]

Property: [Villa name/number and address], El Santuario, Costa Rica.

The tenancy begins on [date]. The applicable legal term, renewal rights, and termination requirements shall comply with Costa Rican law, including Law No. 7527 where applicable.

The community requires a minimum rental period of 30 days. This community rule does not override any mandatory statutory lease term or tenant protection.

Monthly rent: [amount and currency], payable in advance by [due date] to [payment details].

Security deposit: [amount and currency], payable before move-in.

The deposit may be applied to lawful outstanding rent, unpaid charges for which the Tenant is responsible, missing items, and damage beyond ordinary wear and tear. The Landlord shall provide an itemized account of any deductions and return the remaining balance within the period required by applicable law.

Rent adjustments, late-payment charges, and any deductions shall comply with Costa Rican law.

Responsibility for the following shall be agreed before signing:

• Electricity: [Landlord / Tenant / included in rent]
• Water: [Landlord / Tenant / included in rent]
• Internet: [Landlord / Tenant / included in rent]
• Condominium or community fees: [Landlord / Tenant / included in rent]
• Other charges: [specify]

The Tenant shall pay the charges assigned to them under this Agreement. The Landlord remains responsible for charges assigned to the Landlord by law or the applicable condominium documents.

The property shall be used as a private residence by the following authorized occupants: [names].

The Tenant may receive guests but remains responsible, to the extent permitted by law, for their conduct and any damage they cause.

The Tenant may not sublet, assign the lease, or use the property for short-term tourist accommodation without the Landlord's written consent and compliance with applicable law.

The Tenant shall keep the property reasonably clean, use its fixtures and systems responsibly, and promptly report damage or maintenance problems.

The Landlord shall carry out repairs for which the Landlord is responsible under applicable law. The Tenant shall be responsible for damage caused by the Tenant, occupants, guests, or companion animals to the extent legally established.

The Tenant may not make structural alterations or significant permanent changes without the Landlord's written consent and any required approvals.

The Tenant shall not interfere with the villa's electrical, solar, water, filtration, or septic systems.

The condition of the property, included furnishings, existing damage, and keys shall be recorded in a move-in inventory and condition report signed by both parties. Ordinary wear and tear is not chargeable to the Tenant.

El Santuario is an ethical vegan community. The Tenant acknowledges receiving and agrees to comply with the applicable provisions of:

• The El Santuario Ethical Vegan Covenant
• The El Santuario Community Rules and Regulations

These documents form part of the tenancy to the extent legally valid and applicable. The Tenant shall ensure that their guests comply with applicable community rules.

The community prohibits loud music and amplified sound. Persistent barking and unreasonable disturbances are prohibited. Common facilities are generally open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., subject to applicable rules and temporary closures.

The community promotes composting and waste reduction. There is no community garbage collection under the current policy; the Tenant must arrange lawful disposal of non-compostable waste.

Nothing in this Agreement authorizes unlawful entry, eviction, penalties, or restrictions on rights protected by Costa Rican law.

Companion animals are subject to Costa Rican law, the Ethical Vegan Covenant, and the Community Rules and Regulations.

The current community policy permits up to two dogs per bedroom, with a maximum of four dogs per villa. Other species must be legally permitted and comply with applicable animal-welfare, wildlife, conservation, and safety requirements.

The Tenant shall act as a responsible guardian, prevent unreasonable disturbance, and comply with the Covenant's applicable feeding and care standards.

• Companion animals must receive fully plant-based, nutritionally complete food appropriate to their species and life stage. Animal-derived food is prohibited, with no feeding exceptions.
• All companion animals must be sterilized (spayed or castrated) by a qualified veterinarian.
• Cats must wear a bell on a properly fitted breakaway collar to help reduce bird predation. Bells do not replace supervision or the responsibility to prevent harm to wildlife.

Companion animals residing at the property: [species, number, and names, or “none”].

The Landlord may access the property with reasonable prior notice for necessary repairs, maintenance, inspections, or other legitimate purposes, subject to applicable law.

In an emergency involving an immediate risk to people, property, or essential infrastructure, access may be exercised as permitted by law.

The Landlord shall respect the Tenant's privacy and peaceful enjoyment of the property.

If either party materially breaches this Agreement, the other party may give written notice and an opportunity to remedy the breach where required by law or this Agreement.

Termination, recovery of possession, and eviction must comply with Costa Rican law. Neither party may use unlawful lockouts, remove belongings, or disconnect essential services to force the other party to comply.

At the end of the tenancy, the Tenant shall return the property, keys, and access devices, subject to ordinary wear and tear and the parties' legal rights.

This Agreement is governed by Costa Rican law, including Law No. 7527 where applicable.

Any amendment must be made in writing and signed by both parties, except where applicable law provides otherwise. If a provision is unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue to apply to the extent legally possible.

The parties acknowledge that they have had the opportunity to obtain independent legal advice.