Looking for a Condo to rent

[LordFlash 45]

Hi Guys,

 

I'm flying out of the UK to start my new business in Patts on the 13th November and will need a Condo pretty quickly. I've seen lots advertised with Fair Properties etc but would prefer to get something recommended by my good friends here.

 

I'm looking for 1 or 2 bedroom fully furnished for around the 20k Baht per month mark. I may go a bit higher for something special. Location isn't too important as long as I can get to a Baht Bus route.

 

If it is a really good place then I will happily sign for 6 months but would prefer the flexibility of just 3 months.

 

All ideas, suggestions and recommendations welcome.

 

Cheers!

[MrMango 672]

Good luck on your search mate, but I would be a little careful.

I made the mistake of renting one off the Internet from a Faring and had all kinds of problems -

 

1. I was promised that it would have broadband when I arrived, and after paying 5,000 Baht as "Bribes" (Money to the pocket of the owner) after 90 days, still no Internet.

 

2. Lease The terms were so Draconian that the landlord could change the locks on the unit for any reason, and I would be out in the street.

 

3. Deposits - Forget about ever getting them back.

 

4. Passport. Do not ever let your landlord copy your passport and visa. Any dispute and he could go to immigration and try to ban you from Thailand or even claim a crime.

 

All of this was lessons learned the hard way.

[whitespider 1]

Good luck on your search mate, but I would be a little careful.

I made the mistake of renting one off the Internet from a Faring and had all kinds of problems -

 

1. I was promised that it would have broadband when I arrived, and after paying 5,000 Baht as "Bribes" (Money to the pocket of the owner) after 90 days, still no Internet.

 

2. Lease The terms were so Draconian that the landlord could change the locks on the unit for any reason, and I would be out in the street.

 

3. Deposits - Forget about ever getting them back.

 

4. Passport. Do not ever let your landlord copy your passport and visa. Any dispute and he could go to immigration and try to ban you from Thailand or even claim a crime.

 

All of this was lessons learned the hard way.

 

Wow - sounds like you met a bad apple, but no reason to assume all are the same.

 

1. For ADSL just go to the TOT office on corner of 3rd and Central and you can sign up in minutes although it takes about 2-3 weeks for actual connection.

 

2. Hmm sounds bad - why sign it?

 

3. I have never had a problem getting deposits back - again just sounds like you got a bad apple.

 

4. This is difficult as most landlords/agents would insist on a copy of the passport to protect them against a tenant doing a runner anyway.

 

To the OP

 

Its not easy getting a 3 month agreement without paying a much higher price. Short term rentals ARE available but always at a premium. You can negotiate a 12 month lease with a 6 month (or 3 month I assume) get-out subject to one months notice.

 

Remember high season is virtually on us so many landlords don't need to negotiate as they can often rent for double the cost for short term lets than they can for long term ones at the moment. The house next to mine usually costs 32,000 for a 12 month lease but he is letting it easily for 2 x 1 month contracts at 50k per month for December and January.

 

There is a list of most of the main rental agents here

[torrenova 644]

Forget fair properties period. They charge way OTT and have shady business practices.

 

Look in the classifieds.

 

You say you are moving here and want a condo but you don't state where. If you don't know, then get a room in an hotel for a month and sort out a condo when you know where you want to be.

 

As for duration, think about this:

 

6 months at 15k per month plus 15k deposit

3 months at 20k per month plus 20k deposit

 

Now if you walk away from the first one (6 months) after 3 months, you have paid only 60k, even if you forfeit the deposit. In the second example, you will have paid the same 60k but will likely have to pay 20k a month going forward. Try having a break clause inserted after 3 or 6 months and get the benefits of a cheaper 12 month lease.

[TheQuietMan 2]

2 Rooms mate, Its got to have two rooms or where do you expect me to sleep when I come to visit??

 

[MrMango 672]

1. For ADSL just go to the TOT office on corner of 3rd and Central and you can sign up in minutes although it takes about 2-3 weeks for actual connection.

I tried this. I went to TOT several times with no accapatble response - They would connect next week, A tech would call tomorrrow, etc. I had my TW also try and got the total run around.

 

2. Hmm sounds bad - why sign it?

My mistake. I was used to western leases where you had some protections.

 

3. I have never had a problem getting deposits back - again just sounds like you got a bad apple.

I think that you are right about the bad apple, and after reading his lease, I should have known.

 

4. This is difficult as most landlords/agents would insist on a copy of the passport to protect them against a tenant doing a runner anyway.

In the future, I will ask for a copy of his passport also so if he tries to extort me, I have the same tools that he does.