Advice needed on renting

[Serendipity2]

Originally Posted by JoeEF

Greetings everybody!

Firstly, let me thank you all for creating such a friendly and helpful community. The countless threads I read here were filled with invaluable information. That said, as of next week, I'll be landing in Thailand for a 3-month extended vacation/winter avoidance operation. During my time there, I'm looking to rent a furnished house in which to stay.

Now, I've scoured Craigslist Thailand, the Thai Visa classifieds and a few other rental property sites, and while there are some interesting offers, I had suspected - and later confirmed in some of the others threads in this forum - that the best deals are surely not advertised online and/or in English.

Ideally, I'd love a detached property with a waterfront view, as I am first and foremost looking for peace and quiet. However, since it does seem that the majority of the cheaper offers are in the north, I could settle for a comparably scenic view instead. I do not need to be in a major city, so long as I have a reasonably proximity to amenities such as groceries and a couple of restaurants. A solid Internet connection is also a must. Ideally, I'd like to pay around 10,000-12,000 Baht/month, although I suppose I could go up to 18,000 if need be. Preferably, this should include utilities, as I've also read here that there is quite the markup on water and electricity tariffs.

So my question for all you knowledgeable folk is quite simply: how does one go about finding a place to live? Are there agencies to visit once I land in Bangkok? Should I just grab a local paper there and scan the classifieds? Are there other websites I should know about? Also, if I do get a place on a monthly basis, is my rent likely to skyrocket as we approach the holiday season?

Naturally, any feedback would be much appreciated, or if anybody else has some unrelated advice to give, I welcome that as well! Thanks in advance!

Cheers,
Joe

JoeEF,

Sorry but they don't allow Canadians into Thailand! [just kidding] You want a quiet place with a water/lake/ocean/river view and good Internet connection and cheap? On your budget that will take some doing. May I suggest you need to prioritize a bit? It sounds like the Internet connection for your laptop is top of the list. Few places in Thailand have a truly 'solid' Internet connectivity - just the larger towns and cities but then I'm not sure what you mean by solid.

The best approach I would think, would be to visit several communities and see which you like - they are all different - and once you find a place that 'feels right' and has the amenities you need then walk around and ask around for a place to live. Most landlords want one year leases but may be willing to lease for a shorter period. In your position I would use a real estate agent to help find good deals or consult a lawyer before signing on the dotted line - at least for a long term lease. For a three month lease probably not that important BUT read the lease and keep a signed copy of it for your protection. Obviously you'll want it in English as well - I'm guessing reading Thai isn't your strong suit.

For your first trip I would visit several places rather than trying to find that perfect place right off the bat. What's perfect for me might not be perfect for you. Perhaps a few nights in Krabi, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and a few other places and then decide from there. Thailand is a pretty good sized country with many cities and towns to choose from so have a great trip, don't try to find perfection immediately and learn a bit about the country if you've not been there before. And be sure to check out both the flora and the fauna while there.

Serendipity2

[JoeEF]

Frogblogger: I do enjoy wandering, so I suppose a city centre would make sense. Conversely, I am sensitive to noise, and I am looking to escape to the middle of nowhere, so to speak. Well, no matter, I suppose I'll play it by ear. I certainly hope you're right about the new lease on life though; truth to be told, part of the reason of my travels is so escape the futility and tediousness of Western life as I see it.

S2, well I guess I'll just have to pretend to be 'merican, won't I? Seriously though, the Internet is important because it allows me to manage my business and make calls when necessary. I've been told Thailand is fairly well connected, but once again, I guess I'll just have to play it by ear. As far as the real estate agent goes, should I just walk into any real estate office, or are there more respectable offices I should visit first?

I would have loved to just a rent a car long-term and take a driving tour of the country, although most of the travel books I've read on the subject seem to suggest that if you go to a cheaper, smaller, private agency, you're inviting problems; whereas if you go the larger, multinational chains, the cost becomes prohibitive. Truthfully, I'd prefer a car (or open-ended jeep of some kind) simply because I don't trust myself to not kill myself on a motorbike. Do any of you have any experience renting?

Cheers,
Joe

[dinshaw]

Hi i read that you act as an agent.
I have some apartments here that I would like to rent out.
Can you help.
Thanks

[dinshaw]

Originally Posted by Mindaugas

Hi Joe,

I act as an agent in Bangkok, honestly i can advise you that you'll not find a house for like this money. Maximum what you can get is a 1 bedroom around 40sqm condominium or service apartment where will be included daily cleaning and bedding change once per week.
To search it's quite easy, but same time is difficult, for like this money normal agent will not run around to much because as you said you'll be here 3 months. So maximum what agent will get is 10% from your monthly staying that's in total max 5400THB. As me for like this commission i'll not move out from my office in smelly and hot Bangkok. But sure i have some in my lists cheap properties and sometimes direct people there, normally foreigners.
Give me more details, which location you prefer? Which BTS station when will be easy to advice you.
In Pattaya you can get studio condominium near sea for 18,000 B.
Good luck and if any more questions let me know.

Mindaugas

Hi Mindaugas,

I would like to get in touch with you regarding some property for rental.
Pls send me your contact numbers.
thanks

[Mindaugas]

I send you mail into private also you can contact on the phone 0880110124

[Bobr]

I rent a house in Sattahip/Plutaluang, which is very close to Utapo Airport. Nice house, about 10 years old, well built clean and fenced, 5000 baht a month. If you get away from Bangkok or Pattaya there are many reasonably priced rentals, and you are quite correct, the cheaper ones are not advertised very well. I found mine through a co-worker. Also, good place to say that renting here is the best option. My rent is about 1/300 of what the house would sell for, so it's silly to buy. Renting is safer since you cannot own land here and the silly companies to circumvent the law are shakey at best. Also, when you rent it is easy to move if you have problem neighbors or just get tired of the area. Problem neighbors are a much bigger problem here than at home for obvious reasons.

[frogblogger]

Yes renting can be pot luck as far as neighbours go. I've rented twice in Thai-only areas. First time lucky - great neighbours, quiet, helpful, kept an eye out for each other. Second time I had a house full of bar girls on one side (nothing wrong with that you might think... but stiletto heels banging along concrete steps and verandas at all hours of the night, plus their mostly being pretty drunk and very noisy, got a bit wearing at times). Opposite I had a Thai couple that were constantly screaming at each other, and beating each other up. The police were there several times. next to them was a family whose sole source of amusement seemed to be playing their karaoke machine full belt, while getting steadily drunker on Thai whisky, singing along out of tune with that &ù%§@`stuff the Thais call popular music (sounds ok for about two songs when you first hear it, then by the third you start pulling your hair out).

[Bobr]

Originally Posted by frogblogger

Yes renting can be pot luck as far as neighbours go. I've rented twice in Thai-only areas. First time lucky - great neighbours, quiet, helpful, kept an eye out for each other. Second time I had a house full of bar girls on one side (nothing wrong with that you might think... but stiletto heels banging along concrete steps and verandas at all hours of the night, plus their mostly being pretty drunk and very noisy, got a bit wearing at times). Opposite I had a Thai couple that were constantly screaming at each other, and beating each other up. The police were there several times. next to them was a family whose sole source of amusement seemed to be playing their karaoke machine full belt, while getting steadily drunker on Thai whisky, singing along out of tune with that &ù%§@`stuff the Thais call popular music (sounds ok for about two songs when you first hear it, then by the third you start pulling your hair out).

That's my point, in England or America you could complain to the police or even get a court order if necessary, here there is nothing you can do about it but move. I've heard several horror stories from people who have bought houses here and gotten neighbors from hell, and there was nothing they could do about it. I do admire that unlike us, the Thai's do have some loyalty to each other for no other reason than being Thai, so if a farang clashes with a Thai he usually loses.