Are you planning to move to Thailand or thinking about moving?
You may already be in Bangkok, Thailand.
Are you looking to find a place to stay long term?
Here are some guidelines to help you with renting in Bangkok.
- Know Your Locations
Choosing the right location for your rental accommodation is crucial and often more important than you might realize.
**Environment:**
Assess the overall environment of the area. Is it quiet or bustling with activity? Consider your preferences for living in a serene neighbourhood versus a lively one.
**Traffic:**
Understand the traffic conditions in the area. Heavy traffic can significantly affect your daily commute and overall convenience.
**Amenities:**
Identify nearby convenience stores, malls, restaurants, and other essential services. Having amenities close by can make life much easier.
**Public Transport:**
Check for proximity to public transportation options such as the BTS Skytrain or MRT Underground. Easy access to public transport can save your time and make commuting more convenient.
Travelling in Bangkok can be challenging if you’re not well-prepared. To avoid missing important meetings or appointments, it’s advisable to plan your journey in advance. As a general rule, try to leave your accommodation at least one hour before your intended arrival time. This not only helps you avoid rushing but also allows you to travel more relaxed and stress-free.
- Know your requirements and have a fixed budget
Defining Your Requirements and Budget
Knowing what you need and having a fixed budget can be highly effective when considering renting a property. Here are some key points to consider:
**Budget Considerations:**
1. **Rent/Monthly Fees:** Determine what you can afford to pay each month for rent.
2. **Utility Bills:** Account for water and electricity bills.
3. **Parking:** Check if parking is included in the rent or if there’s an additional fee.
4. **Internet:** Consider the cost of internet services.
Personal Requirements:
Occupancy:
Think about how many people will be living in the accommodation.
Essential Utilities:
Identify the utilities you’ll need, such as a microwave, refrigerator, washer, TV, Wi-Fi (provider), water heater, and air conditioner.
Facilities:
Consider what additional facilities are important to you, such as a gym, laundry facilities, play park, pet-friendly spaces, swimming pool, and nearby convenience stores.
Knowing all of your requirements and having a defined budget will help you find the accommodation best suited to your needs.
Now you have everything you need to know how to begin, then it’s time to know about what you should do after you have an accommodation of interest.
- Review the Living Regulations
It’s essential to understand the living regulations before renting a property. Here are some key aspects to consider:
Lease Agreement:
Carefully read the lease agreement, paying attention to the terms and conditions, lease duration, and renewal processes.
Rules and Policies:
Familiarize yourself with the property’s rules and policies, including noise restrictions, guest policies, and maintenance responsibilities.
Pet Policy:
If you have pets, verify whether they are allowed and any specific rules or additional charges that may apply.
Alterations and Decorations:
Understand the regulations regarding making changes or decorating the property. Some landlords have specific guidelines about this.
Subletting:
Check if subletting the property is allowed, as some leases have strict rules against it.
Reviewing these living regulations thoroughly will help ensure a smooth and trouble-free rental experience.
- Have a checklist for all the furnitures and utilities
Ensure that everything is documented and, if possible, take photos as well.
1. Detailed Inventory:
Make a comprehensive list of all items and their conditions.
2. Photographic Evidence:
Take photos of the property and its furnishings to capture their current state.
3. Written Agreement:
Ensure all agreed-upon terms are clearly written in the lease.
Having detailed documentation and photographic evidence can help avoid disputes and provide a clear reference for both parties.
As it will help you when it’s time to move out, so you will get your deposits back.
- Determining the rental period clearly in the rental agreement.
Clarifying Rental Agreement Dates and Terms
In the rental agreement, it’s crucial to clearly specify:
– The start and end dates of the tenancy, whether it’s a 3, 6, or 12-month period.
– Details on the notice period required if the tenant intends to break the lease, including how many months’ notice must be given to the landlord beforehand.
Ensuring these details are explicitly stated can help avoid misunderstandings and establish a clear understanding between the tenant and landlord.
- Holding deposit and Deposit
In Thailand, a holding deposit and a security deposit are common practices when renting a property.
Initial Holding or Booking Fee Requirement
In many cases, you may be requested to pay a small initial sum known as a “holding or booking fee.” This fee typically reserves the property for a period of 1 week to 1 month, depending on the property provider. If you opt not to pay the full deposit, the holding fee may be retained, and the property could be made available for rent to others.
Here’s a brief overview of each type:
Holding Deposit:
– Purpose:
A holding deposit is a sum of money paid by a prospective tenant to secure a property temporarily while the formalities are being finalized.
– Amount:
Typically, a holding deposit is a small amount, often equivalent to a week’s rent.
-Refundability:**
The holding deposit is usually refundable if the tenant decides not to proceed with the tenancy. However, if the tenant withdraws without a valid reason, the landlord may retain a portion or the entirety of the holding deposit.
Security Deposit:
– Purpose:
A security deposit is a larger sum paid in advance to cover any damages to the property beyond normal wear and tear during the tenancy.
– Amount:
The security deposit is often equivalent to one or two months’ rent.
– Protection:
The security deposit acts as protection for the landlord in cases of property damage, unpaid rent, or breaches of the tenancy agreement.
– Refundability:
At the end of the tenancy, the security deposit should be returned to the tenant if the property is in good condition, and there are no outstanding rental payments or damages to cover.
Understanding the purpose and terms of both the holding deposit and security deposit is crucial for both tenants and landlords to ensure a fair and transparent rental process in Thailand.
FYP: Typically, in Thailand, landlords request a total payment equivalent to three months’ rent: one month paid in advance and two months as a security deposit.
- Condominium Security and Visitor Parking in Thailand
** Condominium Security **
– 24/7 Security Personnel:
Most condominiums have round-the-clock security staff to monitor and safeguard the premises.
– CCTV Surveillance:
Security cameras are commonly installed in key areas such as entrances, lobbies, and parking lots to ensure continuous monitoring.
– Access Control:
Secure entry systems, such as keycard access or biometric scans, are often used to restrict unauthorized access to the building and its facilities.
– Intercom System:
An intercom system may be available for residents to communicate with security personnel or visitors before granting access. ( Usually used in high end property buildings)
Visitor Parking:
– Designated Spaces: Many condominiums offer designated parking spaces for visitors, but the availability and number of spots can vary depending on the property.
(FYP: They usually allow to permit to park 1 car for Motorbikes and Mopeds they might charge extra per month)
– Registration:
Visitors may be required to register their vehicle or show ID information at the security office or reception desk upon arrival.
– Time Limits:
Some condominiums impose time limits on visitor parking to ensure spaces are available for all guests.
Some properties either prohibit overnight parking for visitors or require them to pay a fee.
– Parking Permits:
A temporary parking permit or pass may be issued to visitors, which should be displayed on the vehicle’s dashboard, if the visitor (depending on the property).
For the tenant usually they will allow 1 parking permit per room.
The owner of the property can contact the Juristic office, to process the needed documents.
Tenants may be required to seek permission from their landlord, who may handle the process directly or delegate it to their agent.
Understanding the security measures and parking policies in a condominium can enhance your living experience by ensuring a safe environment and managing visitor access effectively.
- Payment methods and what to be aware of about late monthly payments.
There are 4 main payments as follow:
- Cash payment
- Credit card payment
- Mobile Banking
- QR code / Prompt Pay payment
When it comes to late rental payments in Bangkok, tenants should be aware of the following factors specific to the city:
- You should always communicate with your landlord if you know that you are going to be late on your renting payment.
The contract outlines rules for late payments, including the due date and any grace period. It’s important to communicate with the landlord or seek advice from your agent in case of late payments.
2. If you are late on some payment such as internet, electricity, water bills, the provider will usually send out letters or email informing you the status, sum balance you need to pay.
7. Agreement and Scheduled maintenance
When you are about to sign the renting contract always make sure you read everything thoroughly first, if you are not sure consult with experts.
Ensure that everything is documented and have proof of what was promised for example:
1. Cleaning jobs before moving in.
2. Maintenance jobs.
3. Renovating or changing furniture.
4.Cleaning Air conditioning and changing filters.
As you prepare for your move to Bangkok, Thailand, we’re here to assist you every step of the way. Count on us for reliable support.
