Rental Scam in Cha Am, Beware!!!

[advocate]

I too have had some very good kind Thai landlords. Like us, their most pressing issue is that their property be kept in good condition, not damaged by tenants.

The old Thai man landlord would show up to fix anything that day or the next. We would have stayed indefinitely had the neighbor not opened a restaurant next door!
We were sorry to leave him and he was sorry to see us go. Nice fellow.

I had no issues with paying the last months rent to this man and recieved my deposit back in full very promptly.

It can be difficult, but you have to make a judgement call based on the character of who your dealing with. A Thai lady is usually best at this.

[Lung Per]

Very sorry to hear about this unfortunate case of scam. Scams like this exist all over and are regrettably not limited to Thailand.
I rented on a long-term contract from a ranking Bangkok Thai who had invested in a villa project in Hua Hin. I never had a problem, everything was taken care of to my satisfaction and the deposit was returned promptly upon the termination of the lease.
As in other countries, renting a house in Thailand can be a game of luck so do take your precautions.

[Pleng]

This was more than 10 years ago, but if I remember correctly, the rent was about 700 UKP and the deposit 1400. I don't remember how much of the deposit I got back, but if it wasn't all, it wasn't far short. I'd have lost a lot of money doing it your way.

What I really meant was (and I'm not trying to be difficult ), are you sure this is common practise or are you just saying that's what you would do?

Well it doesn't really work in situations where the deposit is more than a months rent, unless you're willing to put up with chase-up phone calls and letters for 2 months.

It's common practice as in so far as everybody I've ever known to rent (bar one), has done it.

[advocate]

If a landlord insists they want more than 1 months rent as deposit, then I rent somewhere else.

Alternatively, you could ask that they apply the deposit to the last 2 months rent.

[kendo]

Maybe it would be a good idea to take some photo's of the general condition of a property.

Also ask or even better insist, for a receipt for your deposit and get them to write on it to be returned within 7 days of vacating the property.

Kendo.

[dtaai-maai]

Also ask or even better insist, for a receipt for your deposit and get them to write on it to be returned within 7 days of vacating the property.

... and then when they keep it you can wave the receipt and cry "But you promised!!"

[kendo]

Also ask or even better insist, for a receipt for your deposit and get them to write on it to be returned within 7 days of vacating the property.

... and then when they keep it you can wave the receipt and cry "But you promised!!"

A small measure that might help just a thought.

Kendo.

[advocate]

As I mentioned earlier, a landlord's promise to repay the deposit can be problematic if there is no clause in the contract stating he must repay by a certain time, ie 7 days. A promise to repay the deposit with no fixed deadline is very uncertain, and much more difficult to prove breach of contract w/o a significant waste of time. The landlord can always say he intends to pay in future.

It doesn't hurt to also have the seven day repayment promise written on the receipt.

[richard]

Our caustic DTM summed it up

TIT

[dtaai-maai]

Did you just call me a tit?

[kendo]

Our caustic DTM summed it up

TIT

Richard no flaming on the forum you will get a roasting from the mods

Kendo.

[richard]

Kenny

I recognise the difference between a Tit and TIT



Flaming mods? I love em all

[Dannie Boy]

Kenny

I recognise the difference between a Tit and TIT



Flaming mods? I love em all

Yes as you said in your thread on "Typically British"
Flaming mods and flaming rockers

[richard]

Kenny

I recognise the difference between a Tit and TIT



Flaming mods? I love em all

Yes as you said in your thread on "Typically British"
Flaming mods and flaming rockers

and I was a rocker

[Lung Per]

Also ask or even better insist, for a receipt for your deposit and get them to write on it to be returned within 7 days of vacating the property.

... and then when they keep it you can wave the receipt and cry "But you promised!!"

Not so kendo. What you do is get a cop, preferably one with a few stars on his shoulder, show him the contract that stipulates the terms of return of deposit, pay him a few hundred THB or promise him a percentage of the returned deposit and he will take care of the problem for you. Even better; have your Thai wife talk to the cop and stay in the background.
There is no justice for farangs - money talks.