If you are interested in renting commercial premises in Costa Rica, there are several aspects to consider. The process varies depending on your business needs, location, and budget. If you need assistance in finding and renting commercial premises in Costa Rica, we have a specialized team ready to help.
At NATIVU Comercial & Desarrollo, we provide comprehensive support throughout the process of renting commercial premises. We begin with an in-depth conversation to understand your specific goals and needs in terms of location and logistics. We take into account aspects such as layout, space arrangement, and capacity, which allows us to search for commercial premises that meet your criteria.
Once we identify potential options, we arrange guided tours so that you can explore them in person. Our main goal is to assist you in making informed and successful decisions in your commercial premises rental process.
This is the terminology that you should be familiar with:
Commercial premises:
It is a physical space designed for carrying out commercial activities, such as selling products, providing services, or operating a business. They can vary in size and location and are used for a variety of purposes, including shops, restaurants, offices, medical clinics, etc.
Commercial lease:
It is a legal contract between the landlord and the tenant that establishes the terms and conditions of the rent. This contract outlines the lease duration, the rent amount, the responsibilities of both parties, and other important provisions.
Base rent:
It is the fixed and periodic amount that the tenant pays to the landlord of the commercial premises according to the lease agreement. This amount is paid monthly or quarterly and it is separate from other costs such as common expenses or taxes.
Strategic location:
A strategically located commercial premise is situated in an optimal position to attract the desired clientele. It can refer to a location on a high-traffic street, near a densely populated residential area, or in proximity to other businesses that generate additional foot traffic.
If you are looking for support in locating and investing in commercial premises, do not hesitate to contact an advisor for commercial premises in Costa Rica.
Before investing in commercial premises in Costa Rica, you should consider several aspects:
1. Current business status:
Evaluate the current state of your business to determine if it is covering operating costs. Are you selling the necessary units or do you need to make some changes to improve operations? Analyze current sales to know if they are reaching the break-even point or if they are exceeding it by a certain percentage, such as 10%, 20%, 30%, or 40%.
2. Break-even point:
This is the monthly sales level required to cover all operating costs. If you find out that you have exceeded this point, you can begin to generate profits!
3. Motivation for a commercial premise:
Reflect on why you believe you need a commercial premise. It may be to increase sales, expand your operation, enhance your current location, or broaden your product catalog.
After carefully considering your business situation and objectives, you are ready to embark on the search for commercial premises in Costa Rica. Before making the final decision, it is essential to ask yourself a series of additional questions:
- What type of customers do you expect to attract?
- In which areas of Costa Rica do you consider it would be attractive to locate your premises?
- Do you prefer to place your premises in a mall, plaza, shopping center, or at an independent location?
- How soon do you plan to start the project?
You can ask yourself these questions alongside a specialist advisor for commercial premises in Costa Rica.
If you are going to rent a premise, make sure that the landlord complies with:
- Premise registration: the owner must have the premise registered and must be the legal owner or have the necessary rights to rent it.
- Tax payment: the owner must be up to date on property-related taxes, such as the property tax.
- Municipal license: depending on the location of the premise, a municipal license may be required to rent the property for commercial purposes. Regulations may vary by the specific municipality.
Now that you have verified that the landlord meets all the necessary requirements and permits, as a tenant, you must ensure compliance with:
- Business registration: plan to register your business with the Ministry of Economy, Industry, and Commerce (MEIC) of Costa Rica if you intend to operate a business in the premise.
- Commercial license: obtain the necessary commercial license through the appropriate municipality.
- Health permit: if your business involves medical services, food, or others, make sure to obtain the health permit from the Ministry of Health.
- Land use authorization: in case the premise is located in an area with land use restrictions.
- Outdoor advertising permit: if you plan to install signs or outdoor advertising at the premise, make sure to obtain the necessary permit from the municipality.
And, of course, rely on your trusted specialist advisor for commercial premises.
1. Define your goals and budget
Before starting the search for a commercial premise in Costa Rica, have your goals and budget clearly defined. Ask yourself what type of premise you are looking for, what size you need, and in which location you prefer it to be. Establishing these criteria will help you focus your search.
2. Seek professional advice
Since the real estate market can be complicated, especially if you are not familiar with local laws and regulations, it is advisable to seek the advice of a real estate advisor in Costa Rica. An expert will help you navigate the process and avoid potential legal issues.
3. Inspect the premises
Once the tenant has identified options that meet their criteria, they should schedule visits to inspect them in person. Pay attention to details such as location, property condition, accessibility, security, and available facilities.
4. Contract analysis
When you find a premise that interests you, a real estate advisor will help you understand the terms of the lease contract.
5. Closing and documentation
With all terms defined, the documentation is agreed upon and approved, and the lease contract is signed. A real estate advisor can assist in this process. Finally, you are ready to start operating your business in the commercial premise.
By following these steps and working with professionals, you can make a successful investment in the real estate market of Costa Rica..
Advantages of renting a commercial premise
Financial flexibility
Renting a commercial premise allows for greater financial flexibility compared to buying a property. There is no significant initial investment required, and you do not take on long-term maintenance and property costs. This frees up capital that can be used for other aspects of the business, such as expansion, marketing, or inventory investment.
Access to strategic locations:
When renting, you gain the flexibility to position yourself in strategic areas that may be inaccessible or expensive to purchase. This allows you to be closer to your target audience, competitors, or high-traffic zones, which can increase visibility and sales opportunities.
Lower real estate risk:
When renting a commercial premise, the risks associated with real estate ownership are reduced. You don’t have to worry about market fluctuations. This provides greater financial stability and less uncertainty in your investment.
Ease of change and agility:
Renting a premise allows for easier adaptation and changing of location if your business needs to evolve. If the space becomes insufficient or if the location is no longer strategic, it is simpler to move to a new premise without the complications of selling a property.
