Agent has done a runner

[FridgeMagnet1]

So my agent / property manager has done a runner. Apparently 25 or more units in my building have been affected. What she (and others) did was get people to pay 6 months up front and basically not pass any of it onto the owners (who are mostly in China)

 

I didn’t pay 6 months up front, but my deposit has gone and the rent has not been going to the owner. Some people have been asked to leave due to non Paying of rent.

ive been told by an agent I need to go and file a police report, but they won’t do anything as the agreement is between me and the property manager. 

As far as I’m concerned I have a contract, and proof of payment of deposit and rent each month. But if the owner says I have to leave, do I have a legal

Leg to stand on? 

 

 

[Gsxrnz]

You have a contract with somebody who did a runner.  If you have their full and proper Thai name, know their registered address, and have a copy of their ID card, you might have a leg to stand on.

 

If however, you simply know the agent as Kuhn Lek from Soi XX, good luck with that.

[userabcd]

I would insist the owner reimburse before leaving.

 

So the main problem is between the owner and his agent and the owner has to recover their money from their missing agent.

 

If the owner is making problem then get a lawyer involved and let the owner deal with the Thai legal system and potentially the tax office.

[FridgeMagnet1]

6 minutes ago, Gsxrnz said:

You have a contract with somebody who did a runner.  If you have their full and proper Thai name, know their registered address, and have a copy of their ID card, you might have a leg to stand on.

 

If however, you simply know the agent as Kuhn Lek from Soi XX, good luck with that.

Yes I have her Thai ID number (didn’t take a copy of, but verified the number on the contract matched the card) and know her real name. She has purged all her Facebook accounts, but left a few things up on other sites that are harder to take down, and some are cached.

 

as I say, lots of people in my building are in the same boat as me, actually most are in much worse as they paid all upfront. 

[Gsxrnz]

4 minutes ago, FridgeMagnet1 said:

Yes I have her Thai ID number (didn’t take a copy of, but verified the number on the contract matched the card) and know her real name. She has purged all her Facebook accounts, but left a few things up on other sites that are harder to take down, and some are cached.

 

as I say, lots of people in my building are in the same boat as me, actually most are in much worse as they paid all upfront. 

Ok, well done on getting the ID card details.  Many don't know the significance of that information.  I guess you could make a case with the police but it's doubtful they'll take it far on its own

 

The media exposure may make them stop scratching and get off their backsides.

[FridgeMagnet1]

10 minutes ago, userabcd said:

I would insist the owner reimburse before leaving. 

 

The main problem is between the owner and the agent and the owner has to recover their money from the missing agent.

 

If the owner is making problem then get a lawyer involved and let the owner deal with Thai legal system and the tax office.

Yes, but the issue there is that the owner is in China and there is really no way of me getting anything out of him unless he is feeling generous. 

He might as well just write it off and turf me out, as he can’t do anything to the agent from there 
 

 

[WhiteBuffaloATM]

Owner - mandated Agent is entirely Owner problem. if thats the case.

Why is Agent “my agent”. Why would Owner permit Rent / Common Fund / Deposit Collections by a non- Owner Authorised third party. More detail if above first sentence ( somehow) not applicable !

 

 

 

 

 

 

[FridgeMagnet1]

1 minute ago, Gsxrnz said:

Ok, well done on getting the ID card details.  Many don't know the significance of that information.  I guess you could make a case with the police but it's doubtful they'll take it far on its own

 

The media exposure may make them stop scratching and get off the backsides.

I was thinking of not even going to the police, as there really isn’t anything in it for them.

 

I had a funny feeling about this agent all along, something was never quite right, but Juristic said she was legit and had lots of tenants in that building.
 

to be honest, I think the whole thing stinks and regret leaving BKK for Pattaya 

[userabcd]

8 minutes ago, FridgeMagnet1 said:

Yes, but the issue there is that the owner is in China and there is really no way of me getting anything out of him unless he is feeling generous. 

He might as well just write it off and turf me out, as he can’t do anything to the agent from there 
 

 

I don't think he can just do that, what does your contract say about this?

 

He contracted the agent to act on his behalf and on his terms and conditions, if you have met your side of the contract the you are fully within your rights to stay in the apartment for the agreed amount and period and payment terms and conditions.

 

First step is to report the incident to the police and then maybe initiate a brief discussion with a lawyer.

 

What sums of money are you talking about?

[RafPinto]

I have a contract signed by me and the owner.

All done through the agent.

Rent is monthly paid to "owners" account.

[FridgeMagnet1]

2 minutes ago, userabcd said:

I don't think he can just do that, what does your contract say about this?

 

He contracted the agent to act on his behalf and on his terms and conditions, if you have met your side of the contract the you are fully within your rights to stay in the apartment for the agreed amount and period and payment terms and conditions.

 

First step is to report the incident to the police and then maybe initiate a brief discussion with a lawyer.

Contract is between me and the property manager. I guess that’s the problem here, she breaks the contract and does a runner and im left without anything between me and the owner.

 

should have gone with my gut and walked away from this before signing. 
 

im used to dealing with owners direct in BKK rather than dodgy crooks in Pattaya  

[Will B Good]

Wow that is a real bummer.....feel my heartburn coming on in sympathy for you (genuinely).

 

All you need now is for SAFETY FIRST to come on and accuse you of making the whole thing up for "likes".

[Gsxrnz]

3 minutes ago, FridgeMagnet1 said:

I was thinking of not even going to the police, as there really isn’t anything in it for them.

 

I had a funny feeling about this agent all along, something was never quite right, but Juristic said she was legit and had lots of tenants in that building.
 

to be honest, I think the whole thing stinks and regret leaving BKK for Pattaya 

It's an unfortunate situation.  An "agent" of any kind can often end up in tears, even if they are ligit.

 

I'm reminded of a female lawyer in Patts several years ago.  She was a director of many Falang companies holding one share and also had powers of attorney.  She spent years mortgaging all the houses and properties with fake signatures unbeknown to the genuine owners, and eventually when the cashflow ran out and banks were asking questions she did a runner.

 

The moral of the story being - try and avoid any situation where there is an intermediary. And if you have to have a lawyer or an agent involved, try and limit your exposure to potential fraud as much as you can.

 

I guess you did that by not paying too much in advance, so maybe just accept that you actually reduced your loss significantly and move on.

[bbko]

Who hired and paid the agent's salary? If she was hired by the owners, she's their problem.  If she was hired by the residents, she's your problem.

 

[FridgeMagnet1]

2 minutes ago, Gsxrnz said:

It's an unfortunate situation.  An "agent" of any kind can often end up in tears, even if they are ligit.

 

I'm reminded of a female lawyer in Patts several years ago.  She was a director of many Falang companies holding one share and also had powers of attorney.  She spent years mortgaging all the houses and properties with fake signatures unbeknown to the genuine owners, and eventually when the cashflow ran out and banks were asking questions she did a runner.

 

The moral of the story being - try and avoid any situation where there is an intermediary. And if you have to have a lawyer or an agent involved, try and limit your exposure to potential fraud as much as you can.

 

I guess you did that by not paying too much in advance, so maybe just accept that you actually reduced your loss significantly and move on.

Yes I think that’s good advice. Forget it

it’s only 20K

 

I can’t wait to get away from the cess pool of Pattaya, frankly. I tried it for a while and did not like it much. All the boring dodgy people everywhere 
 

back to civilisation I think (Bangkok) 

[Pravda]

2 minutes ago, FridgeMagnet1 said:

Yes I think that’s good advice. Forget it

it’s only 20K

 

I can’t wait to get away from the cess pool of Pattaya, frankly. I tried it for a while and did not like it much. All the boring dodgy people everywhere 
 

back to civilisation I think (Bangkok) 

Next time just do a monthly rent through Airbnb. It may be even cheaper.

[scubascuba3]

33 minutes ago, FridgeMagnet1 said:

Yes I have her Thai ID number (didn’t take a copy of, but verified the number on the contract matched the card) and know her real name. She has purged all her Facebook accounts, but left a few things up on other sites that are harder to take down, and some are cached.

 

as I say, lots of people in my building are in the same boat as me, actually most are in much worse as they paid all upfront. 

so definitely report as a crime to police, and get a crime number, if police don't want to log it as a crime get a lawyer involved briefly, between all of you won't be much

[Gsxrnz]

Just now, FridgeMagnet1 said:

Yes I think that’s good advice. Forget it

it’s only 20K

 

I can’t wait to get away from the cess pool of Pattaya, frankly. I tried it for a while and did not like it much. All the boring dodgy people everywhere 
 

back to civilisation I think (Bangkok) 

That's a shame.  Maybe you should give Jomtien a crack before you head back to Bangers - we're a better class of degenerates over the hill. You can usually just ask a local if Kuhn so-and-so is legit and you'll get his or her full pedigree, warts and all.

 

I know dozens of people who have never had a problem with leases, rents, or deposits over the years.  That's not to say problems don't arise, but definitely not very often in my experience.

 

 

[Will B Good]

5 minutes ago, FridgeMagnet1 said:

Yes I think that’s good advice. Forget it

it’s only 20K

 

I can’t wait to get away from the cess pool of Pattaya, frankly. I tried it for a while and did not like it much. All the boring dodgy people everywhere 
 

back to civilisation I think (Bangkok) 

With you on that.....love Bangkok......and I am not a "city person" particularly.

[Pravda]

1 minute ago, Will B Good said:

With you on that.....love Bangkok......and I am not a "city person" particularly.

 

The only thing is Patterz used to have some great Russian restaurants and the food in general wasn't bad or expensive. I wonder if russkies prevailed or packed up and left

 

[FridgeMagnet1]

1 minute ago, Pravda said:

 

The only thing is Patterz used to have some great Russian restaurants and the food in general wasn't bad or expensive. I wonder if russkies prevailed or packed up and left

 

I used to love a couple of great ones in NaKluea, both real homely inside with great food 

last time I walked past they were gone for good 

 

caravan is still open, and it’s still great 

[PoorSucker]

8 minutes ago, Pravda said:

some great Russian restaurants

There used to be one on Samui that offered free unlimited Vodka with your meal.

[Zikomat]

6 months up front payments? Those people were, most probably, offered greatly discounted rates and are now being punished for the greediness.

 

[BritManToo]

46 minutes ago, FridgeMagnet1 said:

Yes, but the issue there is that the owner is in China and there is really no way of me getting anything out of him unless he is feeling generous. 

He might as well just write it off and turf me out, as he can’t do anything to the agent from there 
 

 

If the owner is in China, just stay where you are until your deposit is paid off.

He can't chuck you out if he isn't here.

[HappyExpat57]

I would stay very very quiet. I have a friend who was in the exact same situation. He went rent free for more than two years, just paying utilities. Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh . . .

[moe666]

1 hour ago, FridgeMagnet1 said:

I was thinking of not even going to the police, as there really isn’t anything in it for them.

 

I had a funny feeling about this agent all along, something was never quite right, but Juristic said she was legit and had lots of tenants in that building.
 

to be honest, I think the whole thing stinks and regret leaving BKK for Pattaya 

What could be in it for the cops would be 5,000b to get off their duff and do some looking. The people from the condo need to get together and decide what they want to do 10 or 20 people going to the cops looks better than one or two at a time.

[Nip]

I've rented condos thrice in Bangkok in total for 3 years +.

 

First: The owner returned unexpectedly from the US and gave me 48 hours to vacate then he informed the police I hadn't paid rent for 3 months. I had receipts from his agent and was 1 month in advance. It made no difference have contract and receipts I complained he laughed and he turned off the water and electrify. The next wanted to sell the condo again I have a contract and receipts. My son rang me 8.30 pm when I was shopping. Without notice on a Friday night the water and electricity turned off. They make the rules. I

The third one I rented, after two weeks the owner accused me of switching the expensive batteries in the TV remote for cheap ones. All 3 had one thing in common their ethnicity abmnd not exactly Thai...

[steven100]

16 hours ago, FridgeMagnet1 said:

it’s only 20K

20k ..  Lol   ........  it's not worth the hassle.  A lawyer will cost you 3 x that,  and the contract is between you and the agent.

sorry,  but I seriously doubt the police will do much except file a case.  The agent is probably long gone by now anyway,  probably on some beach in Vietnam or wherever.  

[Skypirate]

WHAT??? a low life scum sucking dishonest agent in Land of fake smiles.  Cannot be, "tell me it ain't so Joe".

[phetphet]

17 hours ago, FridgeMagnet1 said:

lots of people in my building are in the same boat as me, actually most are in much worse as they paid all upfront. 

It might carry more weight with the police if you all get together. In Thailand it is now possible to make a class action against someone.