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We were just beginning the process of building on our land, which is in Naranjal (a small village in the mountains about halfway between Nicoya and Samara). There is a transformer that is located on the corner of our property, however there has never been electric service to the property. We have been told that it will be easier and cheaper to have a Tico set the service up in his/her name as opposed to us getting the service ourselves. The contractor we were considering using has indicated he would be willing to set up the service in his name. I would like to know if anyone has information regarding if in fact the cost and rates would be different if the service was set up in a Costa Rican citizens name as opposed to ours. Any input will be very appreciated. Thanks!
It would be illegal for a utility to charge different rates to its custimers based upon their nationality. If you have a Costa Rican corporation, you can readily establish service in the corporation’s name. On the other hand, since the utility doesn’t care who pays the monthly bill, establishing service in the contractor’s name carries few risks.
[quote=”Joan&Troy”]We were just beginning the process of building on our land, which is in Naranjal (a small village in the mountains about halfway between Nicoya and Samara). There is a transformer that is located on the corner of our property, however there has never been electric service to the property. We have been told that it will be easier and cheaper to have a Tico set the service up in his/her name as opposed to us getting the service ourselves. The contractor we were considering using has indicated he would be willing to set up the service in his name. I would like to know if anyone has information regarding if in fact the cost and rates would be different if the service was set up in a Costa Rican citizens name as opposed to ours. Any input will be very appreciated. Thanks![/quote
It is sometimes very handy to have a utility bill in your name to be able to show proof of your address. Many government, bank and other “tramites” require this document. As David says there is little risk of having the service in an others name as long as you are certain your friendly relationship will continue.
If you get it set up in someone else name, you [b]may never be able[/b] to get it changed. Then, if you try to sell the property later on, you could run into trouble.
Get it it in either a SA or in you own name, as the last poster says, very often you are asked for a ‘bill’ showing your name and ‘address’.While I don’t substantially disagree with what orcas or Shirley say above, I think they may be overstating the case.
The utility company doesn’t care whose name is on the account as long as it’s paid. The only risk would be that if (say) you had the contractor put it in his own name then at some later date he canceled the service and you’d be left in the dark. And why would he bother? Spite?
If you need a utility bill to prove your address, you’ll have one (unless you pay your bills online, as many do). It doesn’t have to have your name on it. If nothing else, explain that you’re renting and that’s the landlord’s name.
Our neighbors bought the house next door from the original owners. The original owners’ names are still on all the utilities. And we pay the bills for them via online banking, so there are three sets of actors involved, but it wouldn’t matter if I went into the ICE office to pay. They’d still happily take the money. So where’s the risk?
All that said, you’ll be in complete control if you establish the service in either your own name (which I think you can do) or in the name of your corporation. If you do the latter, however, and subsequently wish to make any change, you’ll have to get a [i]personaria juridica[/i] to prove that you’re authorized to act in the name of your corporation. It’s just one more step . . .
[quote=”maravilla”]i couldn’t transfer my ICE account into MY name (not the name of my S.A.) until i had my cedula.[/quote]
Okay, I’ll concede that point, but why was it important to change it to your own personal name and out of the name of the corporation?
Was it cheaper? Did the lights burn more brightly? What was the payoff?
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