Costa Rica Owners Manual

 

Caretakers

All vacant property should have a part-time or full-time caretaker (cuidador). Caretakers can be wonderful or they can be a nightmare. They can guard your property and prevent problems or they can be the source of problems by leaving your property unguarded and stealing your power equipment and tools. I have seen it go both ways. Here is the good and bad of it...

Part-time Caretakers

Part-time caretakers are your contact person, and cost less money than full-time caretakers cost. Part-time caretakers come by once or twice a month, depending on whether it is the wet or dry season (vegetation grows much more rapidly when it rains). You do not have to house or feed them, and they don’t get bored because they usually have other work and live with their family.
That was the good part, now here is the bad: part-time caretakers are not there as much, so they don’t do as much work. In other words, they do not develop your property. They only maintain it. Part-time caretakers can be unreliable. This is not always the case, but it is worth taking into consideration. Make sure that you always have someone to call and ask if the caretaker is maintaining your property.
Part-time caretakers should have a work contract, as it documents your possession. If they do not want a contract, and prefer you to pay them under the table, have them sign an acknowledgement that they are working for you, and not demonstrating their possession. Keep the signed original, and do not give your caretaker a copy. If they insist on a copy, then you need to insist on a work contract. Document all wage payments with a signed receipt or bank receipt. Be careful of part-time caretakers without contracts, as they can be the very people that instigate, mastermind or participate in adverse possession (stealing) of your property.
Some guards steal from their employer. In Costa Rica, when someone tells me they had something stolen, I advise them not to discount the possibility of the perpetrator being the very person they pay to protect their possessions. Then they say, “Phil, what do you mean? My caretaker would not steal from me!” It’s as if they are defending their children. When it comes to guards or caretakers, I always stipulate that anything stolen or missing is a result of their negligence, and any such occurrence is reasonable grounds for immediate dismissal.
Guards that know their job is gone if something is stolen are more likely to do a better job, and less likely to steal. Upon a break-in or loss that you cannot live with, my advice is to dismiss the guard. It is good neighborhood relations as the next guard hears that the last guard was fired after things were found missing.
In summary, although a part-time caretaker may be all you need in urban or less remote areas, they do not have the employer-employee emotional and contractual bond of a full-time caretaker.

Full-time Caretakers

Good full-time caretakers are a bargain and a blessing. If you do have a good caretaker, be generous but do not spoil them. Never give so much that they feel they did not earn it. If you do, it starts a bad trend and may make them feel as if they are on the dole. Don’t infect them with the attitude of entitlement.
Be careful if your employee asks for a loan. It may mean they are ready to quit. In addition, the loan makes for bad blood in the employer-employee relationship. You caretaker is not your business partner. Up-front, explain to your employee that you are not a bank, and do not like to loan money because “it always creates problems.” Go ahead and use that exact verbiage, I am sure your employee can relate to it. Pay extra for extra work. Give gifts on occasions such as holidays. Time off now and then for personal matters and shopping is good; however, make sure that the employee appreciates the time off and does not take it for granted. Maintain your emotional distance.
If your caretaker begins to leave without permission you have gone too far, and it’s time to tighten up. Insist your employee is punctual, as you need to know when they are present and when they are absent. If you explain it as such, they should understand and you will know when your guard is there and when he is not.
Full-time caretakers that work on hardscape (paths, small retaining walls and steps) while you are gone are a bargain. They also plant, build fences, mow lawns, maintain and repair buildings, paint, do all sorts of general maintenance, feed animals and even clean your house. They can also pay bills for you and take messages. More importantly, they are in contact with you if a problem or emergency occurs.
You can employ a full-time caretaker for as little as $250 a month plus food and shelter if you want them to live-in. Food costs about $100 a month, and if they live on the property you need to provide housing. Caretaker housing may be as simple as a corrugated metal shed, but if it is a long-term situation, I suggest better housing.
It’s important to build a working relationship with your caretaker. They must have your vision and understand your goals. Next, have your caretaker show an understanding of your goals and his skills. You may have a lot of work to tear out when you return if either of you are not clear about what is to be done in your absence.