The Puerto Rico Court of Appeals ruled on April 13, 2026, in the case of Maricela Vega Pupo Y Otros v. Hogar Etapas Corp. (Docket TA2026AP00091), affirming a lower court's decision to evict the Hogar Etapas Corporation from two rental properties due to non-payment of rent. This ruling impacts the Hogar, which provides care for elderly residents, and highlights the legal processes surrounding eviction in Puerto Rico.
The case began when Maricela Vega Pupo and others filed a summary eviction lawsuit against Hogar Etapas Corp. on September 10, 2025. They claimed that Hogar had failed to pay rent for properties located at Calle 8 #1120 and #1122 in Urbanización Puerto Nuevo, San Juan. The original rental agreements, established in 2018, stipulated a monthly rent of $1,500 for each property. The plaintiffs argued that the rental contracts had expired and that Hogar owed overdue rent.
In response, Hogar Etapas Corp. sought to convert the eviction process to an ordinary procedure, claiming that the properties were used for elderly care and that the Department of Family should be notified. The lower court, however, ruled against this request, emphasizing that the case was fundamentally about the failure to pay rent.
On January 16, 2026, the lower court issued a ruling in favor of the plaintiffs, ordering the eviction of Hogar Etapas from the two properties and mandating that they continue to pay rent until they vacated the premises. Hogar appealed this decision, arguing that the court had erred by not dismissing the eviction case due to a lack of evidence regarding the alleged non-payment.
The Court of Appeals, led by Judge Santiago Calderón, reviewed the case and confirmed the lower court's ruling. The judges noted that the plaintiffs had successfully demonstrated their ownership of the properties and that Hogar failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove that they were current on their rent payments. The court stated, "the Hogar tampoco logró establecer que estuviera al corriente en todos sus pagos," which translates to "the Hogar also failed to establish that it was current on all its payments."
The ruling emphasized the nature of eviction proceedings in Puerto Rico, which are designed to be swift and efficient, allowing landlords to reclaim possession of their properties when tenants fail to pay rent. The court highlighted that the burden of proof lies with the tenant to demonstrate their right to occupy the property, especially in cases where the eviction is based on non-payment.
This decision is significant as it reinforces the legal framework surrounding eviction cases in Puerto Rico, particularly in situations involving rental agreements that have expired. It clarifies the responsibilities of landlords and tenants in maintaining rental agreements and the legal recourse available to landlords when tenants fail to meet their obligations.
Moving forward, this ruling may set a precedent for similar eviction cases, particularly those involving care facilities or properties housing vulnerable populations. It underscores the importance of adhering to contractual obligations and the legal processes that govern landlord-tenant relationships.
As for the next steps, Hogar Etapas Corp. may seek to appeal the decision to a higher court. However, details regarding any potential appeal or related cases were not available in the court filing. The outcome of this case may influence future litigation involving rental agreements and eviction processes in Puerto Rico.