How to rent a place in Thailand on your own - all the details

pattaya accommodation

Today, many people travel independently without the help of travel agencies. On the one hand, it allows you to feel more free, on the other hand - generates certain difficulties, at least at the beginning of vacation. Such problematic topics include renting accommodation.

Content:

  • The rental housing market in Thailand
  • How to rent an apartment or house in Thailand
  • Seasonality factor
  • How much will you end up having to pay for housing
  • How to save money on rent

It has its own rules and numerous nuances that clarify them. About how to rent a house on Koh Samui or any apartment in Thailand - we will tell in this article.

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The rental housing market in Thailand

The rental housing market is a large sector of the Thai economy, quite competitive with the hotel business. There are many and varied types of housing for rent.

housing in thailand

Pricing is subject to the general rules that apply in any resort location.

Expensive housing - from $1000/month:

  • close to the sea;
  • with good infrastructure nearby (stores, catering establishments, entertainment venues, pharmacies, etc.);
  • Isolated one-, two-storey houses with their own territory and swimming pool.

Cheap housing - $300/month:

  • at a distance from the sea;
  • simple one-story bungalow houses, houses for several neighbors with isolated entrances;
  • 1-2 bedroom apartments in condominiums.

Between these two categories, there are a large number of offerings in the $300-1000$ price range, offering varied accommodations.

As elsewhere, participants in the real estate market in Thailand are represented by two categories:

  • owners;
  • intermediaries (realtors).

As is obvious, it is cheaper to rent accommodation in Thailand from owners. However, many owners, especially owners of houses offered in the high price category, do not work with clients directly and prefer to use the services of intermediaries. Accordingly, this leads to higher prices for the product to the end consumer 20%-30%.

rent a place in thailand

Properties in the premium segment can cost $3000-$4000 per month, and there are few such homes.

How to rent an apartment or house in Thailand

Despite the possibility of remote rental housing available today on the Internet, practice shows that to do so for the purpose of a long stay is not the best option. This applies both to renting from owners, for example, through popular today services airbnb or skyscanner, and through agencies, the sites of which are massively present on the Internet.

The following arguments against remote reservations for long term housing can be made:

  • Almost always it turns out that the "reality" is significantly different from the "advertising": the level of housing wear and tear may be higher than in the illustrating photographs, the sea is not 100 m, and the promised store nearby has long been closed, etc;
  • Many important points remain unclear: how quiet or noisy the place is, what kind of neighbors, what kind of neighborhood, what is nearby, etc.

In addition, remote booking, as a rule, involves making a deposit, which, if you do not like something upon arrival and you decide to abandon this option, you will not get a refund. The expediency of this option, for all its convenience, is not obvious.

houses in thailand

Therefore, most travelers prefer to rent an apartment after a personal detailed inspection of the premises. And you can do this only when you come to Thailand.

The classic scheme of how to rent an apartment is as follows:

  1. Before arriving in the country a hotel room is booked for 2-3 days. This time, as practice shows, is enough time to find something suitable.
  2. If your plan is to see as many options as possible in different localities to choose something better, it makes sense to rent a bike or car. If there are no such plans and you have a desire to stay in a particular village town, you can find accommodation just by walking around the neighborhood.
  3. Coastal tourist towns are one big street and numerous lanes branching off from it. The sign "for rent" is your main reference point.

What you should pay attention to and what you should ask about when inspecting the home:

  • General living conditions: availability of a stove (sometimes there is only a microwave, i.e. it is not supposed to cook food), dishes, water heater, optional - air conditioning;
  • Terms of payment for electricity and water (the base cost of 3.5 and 20 baht per 1 kW and 1 cubic meter respectively, but often landlords overcharge this cost by 2-3 times);
  • Internet availability;
  • whether there are ants or cockroaches in the living space;
  • whether there are mosquito nets;
  • Look in the existing cabinets - because of the high humidity, they often have a moldy smell that you can't get rid of.

It is very important to survey the surroundings of the place: whether there is a noisy construction site, a garbage dump or a swamp with a million mosquitoes.

Seasonality factor

The number of tourists and accommodation prices are subject to seasonal fluctuations. The same house or apartment in January and June can be rented with a price difference of 2-3 times. If you are vacationing in low season - from April to November - then feel free to bargain and knock down the price from the proposed at least 2 times.

real estate in thailand

In the high season, there are no discounts. The average option for price/quality at this time does not even get on the market, because in most cases such housing is reserved on a permanent basis by the same people, companies, i.e. regular customers. There are far fewer decent places at a reasonable price: there are either very modest options or overly lavish options. Although in this matter everyone has his own claims and approaches.

A good piece of advice from tourists vacationing in Thailand on their own - the first time without the help of a travel agent is better to go not in the high season. On the one hand, it will save money, on the other hand - to conduct an initial "reconnaissance" of the area.

You can reserve a favorite house or apartment with an adequate landlord for next year. Property owners are happy to do this, forming a regular clientele and maintaining the stability of their own business.

How much will you end up having to pay for housing

Pricing in the Thai housing market is somewhat irrational. It is clear that the price lists do not hang on the doors, but the local specifics is that the prices are called "from the ceiling": one - one, and the other - 2 times more or less. So keep it simple and never give the impression that you can afford more. At least - in Thailand.

Samui house to rent

Before making a final decision, look at several options. On the other hand, if you really like the place, do not hesitate to sign it. Or someone else will take it by the evening: all preliminary agreements with the owner will be quickly forgotten when he sees the client with the real money.

The initial payment will include:

  • payment for the first month (or for the first and last in the case of a long lease);
  • a deposit of between 30% and 100% of the monthly fee.

Subsequent monthly payments for living for 2-3 people will add up to:

  • rent;
  • water fee (about $10);
  • electricity charges ($10-$15);
  • Internet charges ($10-$20).

Of course, if you rent a villa for $3000, then all additional payments are already included in this price. Don't forget that any receipt of money by the landlord must be accompanied by a receipt.

How to save money on rent

  1. Take a vacation not in peak season.
  2. Rent a house for a long time: the monthly rate for a 6-month period will be lower than for a 3-month period, and you can save twice as much on the annual rent compared to the monthly.
  3. Do not use the services of intermediaries.
  4. Ask the owners of cafes, bars, and rental companies if anyone they know rents a place. Renting through acquaintances is the most profitable renting.
  5. Always bargain.

In general, it is not difficult to rent an apartment in Thailand. Even during the peak tourist season there are always a dozen options, among which you can find the most adequate requests and financial status.

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