The landlady raises the monthly rental by 500 baht for "garbage collection and common fees"

[amy28]

I am in the process of signing one-year lease agreement and just have been waiting for the realtor to send me the contract. 

 

Yesterday I asked the realtor about where to dump the garbage and any fees for garbage collection. Today she replied that the landlady will charge 500 baht more per month to cover "garbage collection and common fees".  

 

I am very new to Chiang Mai. I spent two months in hotels and Airbnb and I've had no experience of renting a property in Thailand. I was aware that the utility and water bills are not included in monthly rental. But the realtor never had informed me of the garbage collection fees until I asked her yesterday. 

 

Is it common for tenants to pay 500 baht extra for "garbage collection and common fees"? (BTW, the property is a newly built bungalow in Doi Saket district.) 

 

500 baht extra is no big deal. But I just feel the realtor and landlady are not trustworthy. I'm worried about if the landlady will increase the rental for any random costs after I move in or find excuses to not return the deposits. Maybe it just sends me a signal to backoff while I still can.

 

Thanks! 

 

 

[Golden Triangle]

Smells a bit off to me, I've never had to pay utilities separately, always been in the rent, and from what I've read on here in the past it is a lot cheaper than that.

 

Hopefully others will comment on here so you can get a better picture of what others think.

[2 is 1]

I never rent a place where electric and water bill come from landlord! That is where they put much extra on top(normaly). Its good if have own counter and pay bill what really use! I know its not possible in many place. I dont understand why need pay extra about garbage collection, many place even landlord not pay anything of that. 

[Bagwain]

Normal garbage collection around 40 baht p/mth.

If in an estate the balance is cheap for common fees.

I pay just over a 1,000 baht in a gated estate in Pats with well kept lawns, swimming pool & small gym!

[AsianAtHeart]

Thailand is a bit unusual with respect to garbage collection fees.  Where I rent, I pay the electricity and water on my own--but, apparently, garbage fees would be charged directly to the landlord (the homeowner)--if they are even charged.  We just dump our garbage into a couple of large blue barrels that sit out streetside near the house.  Collection takes places during the night, around 3-4 a.m.  Our landlord told us when we first rented that we could just use the bins, and if there were any issues, such as if the collectors thought we weren't contributing our fees, we might later have to chip in 100-200 baht a month for our share (the bins are shared by multiple neighbors).  So far, we have paid nothing.  Perhaps the neighbors are satisfactorily covering the fees.  As I said, it's a bit unusual the way it is handled.

 

In my opinion, the 500-baht fee for trash collection in Chiangmai sounds reasonable.  I'm not in Chiangmai, and it might be a bit less here.

[Mark1066]

3 minutes ago, AsianAtHeart said:

Thailand is a bit unusual with respect to garbage collection fees.  Where I rent, I pay the electricity and water on my own--but, apparently, garbage fees would be charged directly to the landlord (the homeowner)--if they are even charged.  We just dump our garbage into a couple of large blue barrels that sit out streetside near the house.  Collection takes places during the night, around 3-4 a.m.  Our landlord told us when we first rented that we could just use the bins, and if there were any issues, such as if the collectors thought we weren't contributing our fees, we might later have to chip in 100-200 baht a month for our share (the bins are shared by multiple neighbors).  So far, we have paid nothing.  Perhaps the neighbors are satisfactorily covering the fees.  As I said, it's a bit unusual the way it is handled.

 

In my opinion, the 500-baht fee for trash collection in Chiangmai sounds reasonable.  I'm not in Chiangmai, and it might be a bit less here.

60 baht a month in our Moo Bahn. 500 is way too much unless there’s other services that the ‘common fees’ include.

[rankric]

Rental contracts are a bit more important for us visitors residing in thailand.

 

They form part of the procedure when you require certain types of Visas.

 

For example. 

 

Not sure if all immigration offices insist on this but some require the contract + the owners ID card and sometimes even a photocopy of the page of their green/blue? book, which is a government issued ownership document. The immigration also require those documents/copies to be signed/dated by the owner. 

 

It would be wise to make sure your realtor is onboard and aware of these requirements.

 

500 baht seems reasonable. Those fees are common, i have known those fees to be as a high as 3000 and as low as 160 baht per month during my time here. 

 

Your water and electric bills will be in the name of the house owner. Easily payable by visiting a 711 and presenting them with bill, pay and get the reciept stapled to the bill. 

 

A lot of agents push for 2 months deposit + 1 month rent in advance.  I have never paid this but i have also never posed an issue until i am with them face to face. I did get my full deposit back from an agent, be prepared for agent to deduct cleaning fees from a deposit.

 

 

 

 

[BritManToo]

Rent for a 2 bed house in Doi Saket should be 5-6kbht/month. Any more and you should just look for some other place. 

[EricTh]

How much are you paying for the bungalow? 

 

If it's cheap, then it is reasonable else it's not reasonable.

[Lacessit]

The common fees can range from 10K baht to 30K baht/year in a condo. I have not heard of common fees for a separate house or bungalow, although admittedly I don't rent one. Landlords pay the common fees in the condos I have rented.

 

IIRC my GF pays 100 baht/month for her house in the village for garbage collection.

 

In the OP's shoes, I would check if the electricity and water bills go directly to him from PEA, or through the lessor. If it's the latter, I suspect he should prepare to be gouged if he signs the lease.

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, amy28 said:

Yesterday I asked the realtor about where to dump the garbage and any fees for garbage collection. Today she replied that the landlady will charge 500 baht more per month to cover "garbage collection and common fees".  

Walk away....  This is simply the Landlady trying to squeeze a little more out of you. 

 

Maintenance fees are paid on a yearly basis (in a condo or moobaan (gated housing estate with a juristic committee). 

A private house may operate a little differently but that would usually be included the monthly rent. 

 

The only extras would be Water and Electricity; which he should check is at the government rate (paid directly) with an official bill and not at the landlords rate... 

 

IF this landlady is squeezing more out of you now... don’t expect the deposit returned. 

 

 

Edited September 19, 2022 by richard_smith237

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, amy28 said:

500 baht extra is no big deal. But I just feel the realtor and landlady are not trustworthy. I'm worried about if the landlady will increase the rental for any random costs after I move in or find excuses to not return the deposits. Maybe it just sends me a signal to backoff while I still can.

Trust your instincts....    unless of course you really like the place and are prepared to take the hit on loss of deposit etc... 

 

The landlord can only put the price up come renewal time, they could try before hand and make life difficult for you - again... trust your instinct on this one.

[spidermike007]

I think your instincts are good. Back off. This is one of those rare blessings. You have been warned by providence. Garbage fees are 20-40 baht per month and common fees are included in the rent or paid by the landlord. Make it clear to the agent that you are not going to rent, as the landlord appears to be a scoundrel. 

[Mac Mickmanus]

1 hour ago, amy28 said:

Today she replied that the landlady will charge 500 baht more per month to cover "garbage collection and common fees".  

What are the "common fees" ?

Is there a gardener, swimming pool , security guard, an area that needs staff?

[richard_smith237]

4 minutes ago, Mac Mickmanus said:

What are the "common fees" ?

Is there a gardener, swimming pool , security guard, an area that needs staff?

Kind of irrelevant...   this is built into the rental quote... 

 

What next ?... will the landlady decide to charge extra for the fridge and sofa ?

 

It could be a genuine mistake, i.e. the first time the landlady has rented out her house and doesn’t really know what she should or shouldn’t be charging for. But, it also looks a like a ‘squeeze’... 

[sammieuk1]

Had 10 years in CM 500pm is the right price usually paid yearly ????

[MrJ2U]

I'm suprised it's just not included in the rent.

 

If its a nice place and good location I would give her the benefit of the doubt.

 

How is the rental market now in Chiang Mai?

I've heard it's not as ridiculously over priced as pre COVID times. 

 

 

[Cake Monster]

1 hour ago, 2 is 1 said:

I dont understand why need pay extra about garbage collection, many place even landlord not pay anything of that. 

My Missus has some Dormitory Apartments, and Her Monthly fee for Garbage collection is 400 Baht to the Local Authority.

[BritManToo]

2 minutes ago, Cake Monster said:

My Missus has some Dormitory Apartments, and Her Monthly fee for Garbage collection is 400 Baht to the Local Authority.

I pay 250bht/year for refuse collection in MaeJo/SanSai.

[Mac Mickmanus]

7 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

What next ?... will the landlady decide to charge extra for the fridge and sofa ?

 

I do not know the future , but if that situation does arise when a landlady charges for a fridge and a sofa , then that situation can be addressed 

[Cake Monster]

2 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I pay 250bht/year for refuse collection in MaeJo/SanSai.

40 Baht per room per Month

Close to Pattaya

[Mark1066]

19 minutes ago, sammieuk1 said:

Had 10 years in CM 500pm is the right price usually paid yearly ????

It certainly isn't the right price just for collecting refuse. I'm sure I'm not getting an 80% discount where I live.

[Crossy]

40 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I pay 250bht/year for refuse collection in MaeJo/SanSai.

 

OK not CM but northern BKK.

 

Our annual village fees are 350Baht, includes garbage, street lighting, Puyai Baan speaker announcements etc.

 

[Mac Mickmanus]

3 minutes ago, Crossy said:

 

OK not CM but northern BKK.

 

Our annual village fees are 350Baht, includes garbage, street lighting, Puyai Baan speaker announcements etc.

 

You have to pay to listen to the announcements of who has monetary contributed to the current local cause ?

 *Crossy from number ten, Nung loi Baht * ????

[BonMot]

When the utility fees went down by law our apartment instituted a common fee.

 

B300 for two persons in central Bangkok. Includes all and lift.

 

You're getting ripped.

[seedy]

We live in A. Doi Saket

Garbage pickup weekly - right outside our gate - free

[Mac Mickmanus]

Often they used to charge extra for electricity , now they cannot do that , they charge for something else , whether it be for water, internet, cleaning or something else 

[Mark1066]

4 minutes ago, Mac Mickmanus said:

Often they used to charge extra for electricity , now they cannot do that , they charge for something else , whether it be for water, internet, cleaning or something else 

Just to give a balanced view: The last time I rented a house in CM, my 2-year-old daughter poked holes in the insect screens. Landlord didn't seem to have noticed so I mentioned it to him and he still returned our full deposit. Not saying you aren't right about most landlords here but thought it should be mentioned that some are very nice.

Edited September 19, 2022 by Mark1066

[gargamon]

1 hour ago, sammieuk1 said:

Had 10 years in CM 500pm is the right price usually paid yearly ????

So you have been being robbed for 10 years so everyone else should be robbed too?

[spidermike007]

2 hours ago, Cake Monster said:

My Missus has some Dormitory Apartments, and Her Monthly fee for Garbage collection is 400 Baht to the Local Authority.

Yes. That is likely for the entire complex.