Rent payment cycle

The payment cycles for UPEACE students typically begin on the day of arrival and continue until the last day of their stay. To provide a clearer explanation of this, we’ll use the First Semester of 2025 as an example, with an arrival date of August 15th and a departure date of December 15th. In this case, the first payment and its corresponding due date would be on August 15th of each month.

Key information (based on the example above):

• Firstly, rental rates through the UPEACE booking platform are calculated on a monthly basis, as the listed landlords provide special, budget-friendly prices tailored for students.
• As per local lease laws, the full rent for each month must be paid in advance.
• The rental period typically begins on the day you arrive or move into the property you reserved. In the example given, your first payment would be due on the 15th of the following month, and then on the 15th of each subsequent month.
• Please note that “prorated” rent payments are not legally valid, but they may be negotiable with the property owner. However, any such negotiation is entirely at the discretion of the landlord, so don’t assume this is possible without first discussing it with them, in advance.
• Case: My rent is $400 USD per month. If I stay an extra 1, 3, 5, or 7 days, should I divide the $400 by 30 to calculate the daily rate? No, it doesn’t work like that. These special monthly rates are designed to be convenient for landlords, so they’re managed on a monthly (or sometimes half-month) basis, depending on the owner. For shorter stays, the daily or nightly rate typically increases, ranging between $20 and $35 USD, depending on the landlord.
• Make sure to inform your landlord at least one month before you plan to leave or move out, using your payment cycle date (check in date) as a reference. For example, if your payment date is the 15th of each month and you plan to move out on December 15th, you should notify your landlord by November 15th (or earlier). If you fail to give notice by November 15th, this could affect your ability to recover your security deposit or result in losing it.
• The trial month only applies to the first month of your stay (the property you booked before arriving in Costa Rica). During this trial period, you have between 2 and 3 weeks to decide if you want to stay longer at the same location. If you do, you will need to sign a lease for an extended period and pay the second month’s rent and security deposit together. Alternatively, if you decide to move to a different property starting the second month, you must also sign a lease and pay the rent and deposit together when you move in.
• Utilize the trial month wisely to evaluate whether your current accommodation meets your needs, as this period offers greater flexibility. After the trial month (first month), you will be bound by the terms and conditions outlined in the lease agreement. Be sure to read and understand your contract thoroughly before signing it.
• What if my departure date doesn’t align with the payment cycle? If your departure date falls a few days or weeks after your scheduled payment date (e.g., the 18th, 22nd, or 25th instead of the 15th), you should notify your landlord well in advance about your planned move-out date. In many cases, the rent for those extra days can be negotiated, although landlords are not obligated to agree to prorated payments. Providing ample notice (at least one month in advance) is essential to avoid last-minute issues. Any partial payments rest with the landlord.
• What if I need to adjust my payment cycle? Students who receive financial support (scholarships, stipends, or loans) on dates that don’t align with their arrival dates may need to request a payment cycle adjustment. In such cases, you should discuss this with your landlord early and explain your situation. Most landlords are understanding and may allow a change. For instance, if you arrived on August 15th but receive funds on the 20th, 25th, or 30th of each month, you might negotiate to make a partial payment for the initial few days of rent (5, 10, or 15 days) and then adjust the payment cycle to align with your funding schedule. Keep in mind that any such changes depend on the willingness and ability of the landlord to accommodate your request.