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Renting guide
Deposits, contracts and getting your money back
What is normal, what is not, and how to protect yourself.
What a deposit should be
It depends on how long you are staying. A daily or weekly booking, a monthly stay and a twelve month lease are all treated differently, and the building matters too. Ask us and we will tell you exactly what the deposit is on the unit you are looking at, before you commit to anything.
How people lose deposits
Cleaning is the most common reason, and landlords do check inside cupboards and under sinks. After that it is damage that was already there when you moved in and never got reported, cleaning terms in the contract that were not read closely, and breaking a lease that had no break clause.
How to not lose yours
Photograph everything on the day you move in, including every existing mark, and photograph the meters. Get an inventory signed and attached to the lease. The agencies listed here do this as standard, and it ends almost every argument before it starts.
Who you pay
The agent collects the deposit and the rent on the owner's behalf. That is normal practice in Thailand and it is how every agency listed here works. You will get a receipt, and the amount and the terms are written into the lease. This site never handles money at any point.
Contract language
Get a version you can read. If the contract exists in both Thai and English, make sure it says in writing which version governs, because a contract that is silent on that point is a problem waiting to happen.
Quick answers
How much deposit is normal?
It depends on the length of stay and the building. Ask us for the figure on the unit you want.
When do I get it back?
That depends on the agreement and the building, so get the terms in writing before you sign. Ask the agent and they will tell you exactly how it works on that unit.
What is the most common reason people lose it?
Cleaning. Landlords do check inside cupboards and under sinks. Photographs taken on move-in day settle most disputes before they start.
Who do I pay?
The agent, who collects on the owner's behalf. That is standard practice here. You get a receipt and the terms are in the lease.