6 Things to Consider Before Renting an Apartment in Bangkok

If you are unable to buy an apartment in Bangkok, your next solution is likely to be renting one instead.  Moving into a new apartment can be a thrilling experience; however, finding that “perfect one” can be a daunting task. There are some important things that you should take into consideration before you go all the way and sign your renter’s agreement, so to help you out, we have put together our top 10 considerations before you “make your move”.

 

Set a budget

Before renting your Bangkok apartment consider how much you can afford to pay each month. It is not a bad idea to follow a well known “rule” that is, not to exceed 30% of your monthly income. From here, begin to focus your search according to your set budget.

 

Choose Some Locations

Now you may be thinking “Bangkok is a huge city, where should I start looking?” Google maps and internet as a whole is a great place to get an idea of the various locations in Bangkok. However, Bangkok Condo Finder has made it very easy to find your apartment using our integrated maps on our website; so defiantly keep that in mind!

 

Make a List of Requirements

Think about what your requirements are. For example, do you want to be near your work or a school, perhaps you would like to live in close proximity to a hospital or BTS line. Maybe you have a dog or cat, if so, the apartment building must allow pets. There is a wide range of particular requirements that you may have that you are not even thinking about. Here is a quick list of things to consider:

• Utilities
• Location / Neighborhood
• Garage / Parking
• Manager / Landlord
• Layout / Floor Plan
• Hookups  (Phone, Internet, Electrical Outlets)
• Laundry
• Pet / No Pets
• Neighbors
• Kitchen
• Public Transportation
• Amenities and Extras

 

Ask what is Included

Once you have a have selected a few of your favorite apartments as potential possibilities, ask the building manager what is included in the rent. For example, water, electricity, cable, internet, room cleaning, building maintenance. More importantly, whatever is not included in your rent, you will have to pay; therefore, be sure to ask the price of the utilities. Note that it is custom in Bangkok, and Thailand as a whole, to be charged by the unit for electricity. Water may be a flat fee per person or be charged by the unit.

 

 

Read Your Contract

Before you sign, thoroughly read your contract and get a copy of any rules or regulations the building may have. Some things to look for include:

• Monthly rental price and security deposit
• Reasons in which the manager/landlord can terminate your lease
• Penalties for moving out before your lease agreement is up
• Is there an automatic lease renewal?
• Is there any responsibilities for repairs
• Is there a policy for guests/visitors?

 

Inspect the apartment

Before you decide to rent, do a full inspection of the apartment. Look for any visible damage and ask for it to be repaired. If you do not do this, there is a chance that you will be blamed for it later. Some things to inspect include:

• Sink faucets, shower heads and water heaters
• Electricity and appliances
• Walls and windows
• Furniture

This gives you an idea of what you should consider before renting a Bangkok apartment, good luck on your apartment hunt