Landlady refusing to give 130,000 baht deposit back after moving out-what can I do?

[mangyH2obuffalo]

I moved out the end of August.  The place was arranged by an agency, so I guess they will file some lawsuit or something on my behalf.  Is there anything I can do to have more teeth?  I had remembered someone saying before I could tell her I am going to file a complaint with such and such agency because most property owners don't pay their taxes and notifying such and such agency would put a squeeze on her to give me my money back.

 

I want to name and shame but the defamation law here could bite me.  Maybe when I leave the country I will before I relocate.

 

 A rich girl who mommy and daddy gave a property to rent out.  She is horrible with money and wrote us a threatening letter after we paid the first months rent.  We paid it on time according to the date written in the contract and had to show her.......a real idiot.  In our last month there she constantly sent potential new buyers to our place without any notice.  These things are a bit off topic, but add to the anger of her overall behavior.......

 

Anyways, if you have been in this situation or know what to do please share.......please 130,000 baht is a lot of money. ????   It was a nice apartment arranged by my wife's employer.

[Orton Rd]

They usually come up with a made up reason for not paying, did she have one?

[mangyH2obuffalo]

5 minutes ago, Orton Rd said:

They usually come up with a made up reason for not paying, did she have one?

She simply says that she doesn't have the money.

[ChipButty]

1 minute ago, mangyH2obuffalo said:

She simply says that she doesn't have the money.

Thats more than likely true she spent it on a new handbag

[bkk6060]

People have reported on here that there are legal avenues one can take to get the deposit back.

Not sure what they are, but with that amount maybe worth a visit to an attorney to get proper advice.

 

[onebir]

Any way debts can be factored/sold on? (Ideally to the local mafia...)

[Eindhoven]

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/featured/2018/05/16/thai-law-landlord-not-playing-by-new-rules-heres-what-to-do/

[Oldie]

59 minutes ago, mangyH2obuffalo said:

She simply says that she doesn't have the money.

Look that you have a witness for the statement that the only reason is that she doesn't have the money. Also let her explain what she thinks when and how you will get the money. Make a recording of this whole conversation. Write down with the witness the main statements and let the witness sign this. It might help you with further actions. 

[OneMoreFarang]

1 hour ago, mangyH2obuffalo said:

It was a nice apartment arranged by my wife's employer.

Maybe ask them. They likely will have a lot more experience with these things than you have.

[Orton Rd]

1 hour ago, mangyH2obuffalo said:

She simply says that she doesn't have the money.

But she does- 130k of your money

[Rhys]

.. sorry to hear about this.. she sounds like a real entilted winner...

[PatOngo]

1 hour ago, mangyH2obuffalo said:

She simply says that she doesn't have the money.

Threaten her with legal proceedings! Remind her about lost face!

[Jajazazajaja]

6 hours ago, mangyH2obuffalo said:

I moved out the end of August.  The place was arranged by an agency, so I guess they will file some lawsuit or something on my behalf.  

good luck with getting an agency to help you out, once they have their free, they are out of the picture 

[VyacheslavKHV]

For 9 years here, it was only once, when the landlord tried to keep the deposit (75k), fixed by one call to my friend in the police. Got my money 15 minutes after. 

 

You should go to police,  better with Thai friend. Explain them situation and offer tips. Will be done faster than you can imagine.  

If you don't have any, PM me i will give you my guy contact,  he will help. 

 

[hydraides]

If you gave her a 130,000 baht deposit........than means you either paying 130k baht a month or 65k/month...........Jesus!!! Why so much? Where are you staying, the royal palace?

 

For Thailand that's an insane price to pay ..................You can get EVERYTHING you need  in an apartment for 20k-30k a month

 

Everyone knows when you give a deposit to a thai landlord, theres 80% chance you're not getting in back. It always a risk you take, Even if she gave some of it back, she would probably charge for 120k baht as the cleaning fee

Edited January 13, 2021 by hydraides

[richard_smith237]

34 minutes ago, hydraides said:

If you gave her a 130,000 baht deposit........than means you either paying 130k baht a month or 65k/month...........Jesus!!! Why so much? Where are you staying, the royal palace?

 

For Thailand that's an insane price to pay ..................You can get EVERYTHING you need  in an apartment for 20k-30k a month

 

Everyone knows when you give a deposit to a thai landlord, theres 80% chance you're not getting in back. It always a risk you take, Even if she gave some of it back, she would probably charge for 120k baht as the cleaning fee

 

Peoples requirements are different. You can fly from the UK to Thailand with Air India transiting in 8 hours Mumbai and could argue - you got EVERYTHING you needed, or you could fly direct, in Business class, in comfort and have a far more tolerable experience - its down to personal choice. 

 

Not everyone wants to be squeezed into 50sqm apartment or a scruffy house. With Particularly with accommodation peoples standards vary - Some are ok with a roof over their head and AC others want a home they can enjoy living in. 

 

There are many nice apartments and houses - none I’ve seen in central Bangkok come in at the rent you are suggesting (two places I’ve lived in over the past 5 years the rent has been 75,000 baht per month and another 60,000 baht per month).

 

My Wife and I were looking to rent a new place closer to my Son’s school last year - We couldn’t find anything for the size and location we liked or wanted for less than 80,000 per month - We found an ok house for 35,000 baht per month, but it was way too far out of town. We ended up buying a place instead. 

 

So, with that ‘distraction’ handled and I’ve educated you that other peoples needs are different to yours, the issue is not what people spend on accommodation, but a deposit not being returned - After all, if the Op had rented an apartment from this lady for 20-30,000 baht - she would still be refusing to return it and the issue would still exist. 

 

-------

 

In 20 years - I’ve never not had my deposit returned. I guess I’ve been lucky. 

 

Op - this is a tough one - Of course, get your agency involved (they are a reputable agency? i.e. RELAX ?)

 

It would be interesting to learn what legal recourse there is. 

 

 

Edited January 13, 2021 by richard_smith237

[phantomfiddler]

22 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

People have reported on here that there are legal avenues one can take to get the deposit back.

Not sure what they are, but with that amount maybe worth a visit to an attorney to get proper advice.

 

Alas the court may rule completely for repayment but they do not enforce ????

[Surelynot]

I'd try the police first then offer a 60:40 split with a local 'character' and ask him to get the money back for you.

[FNQ]

23 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

People have reported on here that there are legal avenues one can take to get the deposit back.

Not sure what they are, but with that amount maybe worth a visit to an attorney to get proper advice.

 

Get the Ombudsman involved.

That usually gets results.

[Dazinoz]

My ex gf was in a cheap apartment and moved out. Owner refused to give deposit back and was only 3000. I have a feeling they needed to regas aircon after she left.

[madmen]

23 hours ago, mangyH2obuffalo said:

She simply says that she doesn't have the money.

Many landlords spend the dough the second it hits their account. Little rich girl may have a gambling habit 

Sounds like you paid 2 months deposit something nobody should ever do regardless how badly you want it 

Edited January 14, 2021 by madmen

[PGSan]

23 hours ago, ChipButty said:

she spent it on a new handbag

Very cheap one!

[PGSan]

12 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Peoples requirements are different.

Sure, but such a large deposit does sound a bit OTT.

[PGSan]

As a landlord I have never returned a deposit, but always with good reason—usually this is lack of notice.

[spidermike007]

That is an astonishingly high deposit. Wow. Have your attorney draft a letter, threatening to sue her. A good place to start. Ask her earnestly, if she has anything of value, to give you in lieu of the debt. Gold, a used car, etc. If not, stay on her like white on rice. In the past I have had people who owed me money. Nearly always, I was able to collect. Rarely did I ever go to court. I kept up relentless pressure on them. I used social media, I used their relatives, their tenants, whatever angle I could find to increase the pressure, increase the hurt, the shame, the embarrassment, the guilt. It nearly always works. The last thing in the world you should do is take off the pressure. Keep on hammering her, in every way imaginable. She will likely succumb. It is very likely she has the money, or can easily get her hands on the money, to take care of her legal obligation to you, but she likely thinks you do not have much recourse, and you will back down. 

 

The last guy who tried to steal some money from me, when he paid me back in cash, in full, told me that the only reason I got my money back, is that he needed to get his life back. It became a game for me. It looks two full years. But, it was almost fun, by the end. A real challenge. 

[mr mr]

consider it a donation. 

[Nanaplaza666]

I would first ask your wifes employer since their the ones that arranged it and they probably know the rich mommy and daddy and if that doesn't work the ombudsman is a very good choice . 

[Nanaplaza666]

1 minute ago, Nanaplaza666 said:

I would first ask your wifes employer since their the ones that arranged it and they probably know the rich mommy and daddy because the girl doesn't seem to be so rich after all ,and if that doesn't work the ombudsman is a very good choice . 

 

[pacovl46]

On 1/13/2021 at 9:19 AM, mangyH2obuffalo said:

She simply says that she doesn't have the money.

Ask her again and record it or ask her to write you a letter so you have proof and then go and press charges! 

[youngster30uk]

My last landlord wouldnt pay back my deposit ( a fraction of yours, but enough to not take it sitting down)

I told her I would go to the police, she agreed and came with me, She told the police that she would have to replace almost everything in the house (nothing was damaged), the police could tell she was just trying  it on, and made her give me back 80%