Regardless of where you are coming from, accommodation is undoubtedly one of the foremost and most important things to sort out in a new destination. Therefore, in case you intend to live in or tour Thailand for some period, you may be thinking about renting a house. So, if you are a foreigner, can you rent a house in Thailand?
Yes,Foreigners can rent a house in Thailand without any hassle. This is because no law restricts foreigners from renting a house as long as the person can afford it. Therefore, you should understand that you can rent a house in the country for a short or long time.
It is noteworthy that there is no visa restriction for renting a house in Thailand. In other words, regardless of the type of visa you are holding, you can definitely rent a property in Thailand to accommodate you throughout your stay. So, don’t be bothered about renting a house.
What kind of house can a foreigner rent in Thailand?
Having explained that a foreigner can rent a house in Thailand, you may be wondering whether there is a limit to the kind of house a foreigner can rent. Whether you want to rent a condo, bungalow, duplex, mansion, etc., you can rent anything you want. As long as you have a visa that allows you to stay in Thailand, you are fully eligible to rent a house of your choice. Therefore, don’t be afraid to contact an agent to ask about the availability of houses for rent in your preferred location.
What do you need to rent a house in Thailand?
If you are interested in renting a house in Thailand, the most vital things to get include:
- A valid passport – This will help your would-be landlord to know whether you are eligible to stay in the country or not. Besides, a valid passport can also be used for verifying your identity.
- Money – Of course, you cannot rent a house in Thailand or other countries without paying some dues. Generally, you need to pay a 1-month rent as well as a refundable security deposit that is equivalent to the 2-month rent. Nevertheless, the dues may not be the same for all landlords. Therefore, confirm the dues before signing any agreement.
Notably, some landlords may require some additional items before leasing their property to a foreigner.
How much is house rent in Thailand? How do you pay your rent?
There is no one-size-fits-all system for determining the exact amount of rent you will pay in Thailand. The location, size, amenities, age, etc. of a house are the major factors in determining its price. As noted by Theflatbkny.com, a one-bedroom apartment in one of the best locations in Bangkok will probably cost you around $650 (about 22,000 Thai Baht) monthly. Based on our experience, you will pay a lower amount for a similar apartment in Pattaya, Chiang Mai, or other locations in the country.
When it comes to paying rent in Thailand, the majority of Thai landlords prefer receiving Thai Baht. You can pay via cash, bank transfer, or some other convenient means. However, a few landlords will be willing to take US dollars from their foreign tenants.
Can a foreigner buy a property in Thailand?
Renting a property is quite simple, but buying a property is a different ball game. As a foreigner, it is against the law for you to buy land directly in Thailand. This means that you cannot own land in this Southeast Asian country if you are a foreigner. As a result of this, it is unlawful for you to buy a house in Thailand since buying a house means that you own the land that the house is built on.
Many foreigners that want to purchase a house in Thailand often do so in the name of their wife, girlfriend, friend, lawyer, or even business partner. Nonetheless, this can be too risky as you can lose the house.
Despite this restriction, you can still own a real estate property in Thailand by buying a unit in a condo building. Technically, buying a condo unit means that you are the owner of the unit but you share the land with other individuals. Therefore, owning a condo in Thailand doesn’t make you the sole owner of the land. However, before purchasing a condo unit in Thailand, you must ensure that the building allows foreigner ownership options.
How do you find a house to rent in Thailand?
So, if you are ready to rent a house in Thailand, you need to follow some basic universal steps to achieve your goal. As noted by Lovefortraveling.com, you should do the following to rent a house in the Land of Smiles:
- Get in touch with an agent
Like other places around the world, an agent in Thailand can help you to find a house in the country. However, you should be ready to pay an agent fee.
- Check apartments online
The advent of technology has simplified house renting in Thailand. You can just go online to find a house for rent in Thailand. Airbnb is a great platform you can visit for getting a house.
- Check out apartments in person
If you are already in Thailand, you can go to check out apartments in person. By doing this, you will be able to find a place that suits your specific tastes and needs. Besides, it ensures that you don’t have to pay any agent fees. However, for a foreigner, this may be difficult to achieve, especially if you don’t speak the Thai language.
Using any of the methods above, it should be easy for you to find a house to rent in Thailand. You can also check Expatden.com to get some useful tips for choosing a place to rent in this Asian country.
Conclusion
As this article has shown, a foreigner can rent a house in Thailand without any issue. You just need to have a valid passport as well as money and find a landlord that is ready to have a foreign tenant.
