Condominium Regulations, Covid-19, and non-Thai tenants

[Vaughan9]

I live in a condomium and own some units which I rent out mainly to university students. Some students are flying in from Laos in a week or so. They are all fully vaccinated (with Pfizer I understand), will be staying in a Quarantine Hotel nearby for a night before they move to my rooms the next day. They will have their Education visas, vaccination certificates, Covid insurance and their negative test results, and I will file their TM-30s with Immigration as soon as I can get their passport and visa details, and TM-6 numbers (if they still use them).

I informed the Condominium Office a couple of weeks ago that they would be coming with all the correct documents. Yesterday I was informed by the Condo Office staff that the Committee has decided that the Lao nationals will not be allowed to enter Condo's premises, and if they do come, the police will be called.

This does not seem lawful to me. Can condo committees make regulations about who can live or rent rooms?

[soi3eddie]

18 minutes ago, Vaughan9 said:

I informed the Condominium Office a couple of weeks ago that they would be coming with all the correct documents. Yesterday I was informed by the Condo Office staff that the Committee has decided that the Lao nationals will not be allowed to enter Condo's premises, and if they do come, the police will be called.

Why wouldn't legal vistors be permitted to stay at your property? Let us know what happens with the police. 

[jackdd]

1 hour ago, Vaughan9 said:

I informed the Condominium Office a couple of weeks ago that they would be coming with all the correct documents.

Why would you even inform them? That's not their business.

[USNret]

Rampant xenophobia and discrimination. Yep, sounds like Thailand. 
 

I agree with others… It is not their business, and your rental is not illegal.

[bojo]

Yes, sounds like a 'doo took' thing............pretty sure you'll never get to the reason why....................would using a Thai to submit all the documents/arrange sublet be a prudent move?

[fangless]

Until I see this in the "news" I will take this story from a "newbie" with a large pinch of salt!

[dsj]

I am Vice Chairman on our Condo committee, and unless the rules and requlations states that persons from Laos or a other countries can't rent rooms, then the committee has no authority to reject or accept renters. The only time the committee can refuse if they stay for less than 1 month, as that is against the Condo act. They only way to change rules and regulations is at a AGM.

[MadMuhammad]

Sad, and just another reason to never provide too many details in this country, especially.
Like yourself I used to be open and honest about everything I did or planned to do, informing those I felt needed to be. But after being faced with many hurdles Ike the one you have mentioned I now just keep my mouth shut until asked, and even then it’s usually a cut down version. It’s not something that doesn’t sit right with me personally, but is a necessary evil 

[rabas]

21 hours ago, Vaughan9 said:

This does not seem lawful to me. Can condo committees make regulations about who can live or rent rooms?

In general, no.

 

I'm currently the acting president of my condo's committee and have been on the committee for a decade.  Committee members are owners elected to represent all the owners' interests. They can make minor decisions and interpretations of existing condo rules. They cannot unilaterally decide to restrict who can rent or cannot rent if the rental meets existing rules.

 

Perhaps they are considering COVID safety, so I just discussed the issue with our building manager (the person empowered to enforce the rules).

 

He said, if all COVID safety rules prescribed by government and local authorities have been meet, and you have all the required documents, the committee has no power to forbid the rental based on COVID safety. 

 

I suggest doing the following (Thai style, with a smile and air of authority).

 

In writing, tell them you believe the ruling does not apply to your case because you have followed all the rules, and you want to check with the authorities. Then say, if the committee still thinks there is an issue, please explain the problem in writing so you can ask the authorities.

 

You will likely get an apology and told it's OK. Do not argue, get angry, or show any emotion. And remember as an owner you are the ultimate boss. In Thailand, he who acts like a boss is treated like a boss. 

 

Edited November 25, 2021 by rabas