Buying and Renting Property in Thailand (2)

Renting Property in Bangkok

Renting a house or condominium is a valid alternative to buying a property. We would certainly advise to do just that, in case you do not plan to stay permanently (or most of the time) in Thailand. Unless you have a lot of experience in real estate, we would not advise to buy property with the hope to make a profit in the future by selling it. [that is, buying property for investment purposes]

Many new condos are being built in Bangkok again. This one in soi off Sukhumvit Road.

Most rented property in Bangkok and around Thailand comes fully furnished and equipped. Poor buildings will usually have second-grade furniture and facilities, while valued property will be luxuriously furnished and have a lot of facilities. Most middle to high class condominiums will have a nice swimming pool, a sauna, laundry facilities, maid services etc. You may just have to get some towels, bed sheets, and coffee mugs etc., and move in. Television, washing machine, microwave, airconditioning etc., it will all be there. You can find all this, sometimes while paying a rent of 30,000 baht a month or less (especially in the suburbs of Bangkok). So, this should be considered good value. Much cheaper accommodations are available, but we do not have a lot of knowledge or recommendations about it.

[If you do plan to stay a longer time in Bangkok, you can also consider staying for months on end in one of the two star or three star hotels. You will have the benefit of a hotel like maid service, room service, 'free' airconditioning, restaurants etc. Something acceptable can usually be found in the 15,000-20,000 baht a month range. Hotels may give 10-20% discounts if you stay long time. Just one place we know about : Honey Hotel in Sukhumvit soi 19]

Buildings in Bangkok's Central Business District, as seen from Lumphini Park. Rents are likely to be the highest in this area.

When renting you will be subject to additional costs. First of all, the usual deposit is valued at two months of rent, and the rent for the first month (and thereafter) has to be paid in advance. Be aware that the property owner (if working through a real estate agent) will usually have to pay one month value of rent as a commission to the real estate agent).

Electricity costs (free in a hotel!) can run high in Bangkok, especially during the hot season. Expect about 800-1000 Units per month when using airconditioning on 'economy mode' for a medium sized room. Cost of electricity (as charged by the electricity provider) is below 3 baht per unit, but when renting, charges may be much higher (arbitrarily). We regularly notice charges of 4 baht per unit, and recently reviewed a website of a property, charging 5.5 baht per unit. So the building owners make quite a few thousand baht of easy money each month.
[Customer protection is still in its developing stage in Thailand, unfortunately, that is why there do not seem to be binding rules about expenses as mentioned]

When you lease property for a long time (like 30 years or 99 years), you may save some money when signing your contract, that is, a lease for 30 years may be cheaper than buying property. However, you should be aware that you forgo the rights of owning the property. For instance, you will not have voting rights in annual meetings. How the condominium is managed will be decided above your head. Monthly costs (like electricity) will also be charged, without you having control over it.  Electricity costs and maintainance fees may go up over the years slowly but relentlessly.

Continue reading : Buying Property in Bangkok