I have a question. I've been going to Chiang Mai for the last 19 years and am due to retire there in June. Last December I was looking at older beat up 2or 3 story Shophouses in Santitham; along Soi Santitham, Morakot, Hussadhisawee. I would like to rent one of these older shophouses and fix it up to my liking. I would live there as well as do my art; mosaic, paint, some small woodwork, etc. My questions is, "What are the chances of getting a longterm rental (10 years)?" I figure if I'm going to fix it up I don't want to be booted out after a year or two. I don't want a condo. I'm not a typical faring as I really enjoy urban living and the noise of working class, busy neighborhoods. Right now I own a place in the heart of noisy crowded Chinatown in San Francisco and love it. I know I should've asked back in December but I it slipped my mind. Thanks for any feedback.

You may be able to do a 10 year lease if the owner is up for that sort of commitment. 

 

Or just buy it, to be owned by a Thai person of your choice and then do the lease and other paperwork.  That way your rent money (and renovation budget) doesn't just evaporate but the asset eventually goes to a person you know and like.

 

Renovating is fun by the way.

 

 

And then after: 

 

Nice renovation job 

These are very hard to come by as everyone is in the Hostel business right now... But you can keep an eye out on the following forum as a few failed Hostel businesses come up for sale (not the building)... You can buy them out and take over the rent... To protect yourself have any long term lease (+ 3years) registered with the land department... 

 

Facebook search for:  เช่า เซ้ง ร้าน ขายบ้านมือสอง เชียงใหม่

 

Btw... I rented and renovated and lived in a wonderful townhouse behind Wat Suan Dok a while back that was great... Quiet area yet right in the city... 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/cnxre/permalink/1675655349162613/?sale_post_id=1675655349162613

The owners normally only have a 1 or several year Leases

because they can jack the price up more often

I have friends who rent premises

I has closed to the price increase this last renewal

Maybe stay someplace and look around to see other places

You are talking about a Buiness

Have you looked into running a business here?

I wish you luck

Thank you all for the responses. Winnie, your place came out great! I return to Chiang Mai in June. Maybe we can meet so that I can find out how you went about renovating.  SFOKevin, I have thought about the idea of buying through a Thai friend and am leaving that option open. Actually that's what I plan to do if I don't get a good long lease. Thanks again folks. Can't wait to start this new adventure.

Check this place out...

 

http://www.chiangmaiexecutivehomes.com/p14.html

Saw it on the one of the other Chiangmai blogs. Amazing places. They really put a ton of work into those units.