Jomtien condo bookings for 1 week - weird messages from owners

[Tracyb]

Rule number 1….  Never send a copy of your passport to a stranger via email.

Rule number 2…. See rule number 1.

[Aussieroaming]

If you want to stay in an apartment for less than one month then you need to either stay in a hotel that also has serviced apartments on the premises or you need to stay in an authorized condotel, as condotels can lease condo's as they have hotel accreditation. 

 

Leasing condos'/apartments in private condo buildings for less than one month are illegal regardless of the booking platform that you used. If you do proceed with a booking you can be removed from the apartment by the Juristic Management Team without any recourse to recover any money's already paid by you to the condo owner.

[ThailandRyan]

23 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Are you crazy.

Ridiculous. 

The owner tells you it's unavailable and you dig your heels in 

Have you traveled previously as a tourist. 

 

Sounds to me the OP poster believes he is entitled, much like others in other OPs, to do as he pleases and it will not be his fault should anything go amiss. He will then throw a fit and complain anyway....

[tomazbodner]

52 minutes ago, ricklev said:

In May of 2018 a Hua Hin condo owner was convicted under that law.  Since then???  Maybe one other conviction that I know of and that was a short term party house rental in a mooban.   Everybody knows it is a law that is not enforced and that there is no legal danger, although it may be against condo regulations.  

 

And, by the way, there is no law against renting a condo for a short time.  The renter

of a short term condo has not broken the law no matter how long he rents for.  

 

That said, it is a no brainer.  Don't stay where you are not wanted.

I guess you're only talking about Hua Hin? While there was very little activity during COVID (no tourists and such), there were several arrests in Bangkok. More recently, 2 foreigners were escorted out the building neighbouring condo just over a week back - someone complained about smoking on balcony, juristic visited the room, found undocumented tenants, and called the cops. To be fair, they have warning signs all over lobby. No idea what happened with guests, but they didn't return. Taking info from condo's Urbanice app social board. In our condo we have a few rooms renting out rooms on AirBNB, but we usually see same foreigners around for several weeks. They are mostly young couples. All it takes is one resident getting upset and making a complaint, though...

 

And about "there is no law against renting a condo for a short time", I assume you read this: https://www.juslaws.com/articles/renting-out-a-condominium-on-airbnb-in-thailand

 

If a court rules that something is illegal, are you still claiming the law doesn't exist? What basis did the court rule that short term rental violates the hotel act then? Please substantiate with a comment from a law firm at least, not a personal bar stool opinion.

[ricklev]

1 hour ago, tomazbodner said:

I guess you're only talking about Hua Hin? While there was very little activity during COVID (no tourists and such), there were several arrests in Bangkok. More recently, 2 foreigners were escorted out the building neighbouring condo just over a week back - someone complained about smoking on balcony, juristic visited the room, found undocumented tenants, and called the cops. To be fair, they have warning signs all over lobby. No idea what happened with guests, but they didn't return. Taking info from condo's Urbanice app social board. In our condo we have a few rooms renting out rooms on AirBNB, but we usually see same foreigners around for several weeks. They are mostly young couples. All it takes is one resident getting upset and making a complaint, though...

 

And about "there is no law against renting a condo for a short time", I assume you read this: https://www.juslaws.com/articles/renting-out-a-condominium-on-airbnb-in-thailand

 

If a court rules that something is illegal, are you still claiming the law doesn't exist? What basis did the court rule that short term rental violates the hotel act then? Please substantiate with a comment from a law firm at least, not a personal bar stool opinion.

I am not claiming the law doesn't exist.  I am saying it is not enforced.

 

In addition the lessee, the person who rents from the owner, is not breaking any law and has done absolutely nothing illegal by renting through Airbnb or another site. (My bad that it was not clear that I was referring to the lessee not the lessor.)

 

It is not a personal bar stool opinion.  I am a lawyer here (well a legal advisor technically) and I teach Thai business law.  

 

I'm not arguing that short term rentals should be allowed.  I am just telling you the reality of the situation.  

[Elkski]

Wow such crazies.   I'm guilty as charged 

[Colabamumbai]

Do not send passport details. None of his business. Not necessary. 

[NoshowJones]

3 hours ago, Lemsta69 said:

Chillax man, TIT. It's only wrong if you get caught.

If I don't agree with any laws I will try and work my way around them, but here I am on the side of the condo owners. Never break any laws that are detrimental to the ordinary people.

[CanadaSam]

OP, I will be more gentle than the rest of the repliers.

 

You obviously want some of the benefits of a condo, i.e. microwave, etc. which is always nice to have.

 

Look CAREFULLY at the hotels on Agoda or Booking.com and find what you're looking for.

 

You can never stay at a place where the owner does not want you to stay at, without mega problems.

[Fairynuff]

5 hours ago, ricklev said:

And, by the way, there is no law against renting a condo for a short time.

But you said someone was convicted. Make your mind up! There IS a law.

[ricklev]

8 minutes ago, Fairynuff said:

But you said someone was convicted. Make your mind up! There IS a law.

The law applies to the lessor only, not the lessee. 

[Fairynuff]

5 hours ago, ricklev said:

And, by the way, there is no law against renting a condo for a short time.

But you said someone was convicted. Make your mind up! There IS a law.

[ricklev]

14 minutes ago, Fairynuff said:

But you said someone was convicted. Make your mind up! There IS a law.

The law applies to the lessor only, not the lessee.  ????

[alexlm]

BOOK AN HOTEL and nothing else if your booking is less than 30 days.

 

I believe this sums up what you should do. Straight to the point. Efficient.

That's what it seems to me after spending 10 minutes reading this thread.

 

I don't know if there is already money in "escrow" or whatever system on AirBNB.

To get it back, I would contact AirBNB directly.

I have never used the service though. So I have no idea what I'm talking about here.

Another poster said it's better if it is the condo owner that cancels the booking himself. And not you. In this case I would manipulate the Airbnb owner to do exactly that.

[Salerno]

3 minutes ago, alexlm said:

That's what it seems to me after spending 10 minutes reading this thread.

Perhaps spend a bit more time. ????

 

Quote (subsequent post by OP): "Btw, AirBnB wasn't used, but Agoda and Booking.com."

[alexlm]

9 minutes ago, Salerno said:

Perhaps spend a bit more time. ????

 

Quote (subsequent post by OP): "Btw, AirBnB wasn't used, but Agoda and Booking.com."

Don't see how that helps with the issue at end.

[Salerno]

2 minutes ago, alexlm said:

Don't see how that helps with the issue at end.

It makes your spiel about AirBnB redundant.

[Furioso]

7 hours ago, henrik2000 said:

I wonder why you all bash ME, the clueless potential renter. Why not bash the condo owners who rent out to holiday makers and know about laws and other condo owners' views onto short-term lets?

 

I have the contacts of the condo owners, and they stay not far from you. You want those contacts and go beat them up? Instead of bashing me who knows nothing and just accepted a seemingly harmless regular offer on a widely used booking site.

I rented an Airbnb condo in Jomtien for 30 days. I was very quiet/discreet and it was cheaper than a hotel. Airbnb and Condo owner gave me good, quality service, the condo owner took care of my few needs right away. I did get one short, bad look from a resident, maybe he thought I was a one week stayer?

I did all my communication through the Airbnb website. I did give the gals at the front desk a tip to show I appreciated them. I don't know if I would attempt a shorter stay than 30 days, maybe if by comparison a hotel was just too damn expensive.

 

For short stays I do prefer Hotels even if they are more pricey because they offer so much more; bottled water, ice, quicker maintenance, free wi-fi, cleaner, maid service, free coffee/tea, 24 hour front desk, bar/restaurant. 

 

In short, I won't bash nor judge you. I will say that through many, many years of me making what seemed to be small violations of rules have led to much bigger consequences than I could have ever imagined. There is a fork in the road ahead, one fork will lead you to peace of mind and life fulfillment, the other fork is very dark, full of potholes & UXO's. I wish you the best of times on your upcoming vacation henrik2000. I truly do. 

[Elkski]

I know half you guys rent illegal companionship weekly if not more. Some take illegal drugs or drink and drive and so often I read posts about how they like this lawless country and ability to buy out of trouble and don't like their nanny European country.    Short term rentals are here to statvin this World. 

[ThailandRyan]

2 hours ago, Elkski said:

I know half you guys rent illegal companionship weekly if not more. Some take illegal drugs or drink and drive and so often I read posts about how they like this lawless country and ability to buy out of trouble and don't like their nanny European country.    Short term rentals are here to statvin this World. 

Now that's a classic rant of "Back at ya" Bravo sir.

[Henryford]

Please tell us the condos involved. We can then report them to the Police/Immigration for breaking Thai law.

[henrik2000]

Hi all, thanks for more input!

[henrik2000]

Condo 1 owner requested me again to cancel the booking.

 

I find it rather odd to let me book a thing (which was 1 hour of hard work on a wobbly phone, fighting 10000 popups and credit card requirements), have it confirmed and then insisting twice i cancel it.

[steven100]

Just book into Noi's guesthouse and wait for Noi to come.

[Fairynuff]

On 12/26/2022 at 3:26 PM, henrik2000 said:

the clueless potential renter

You said it yourself.

[jacko45k]

7 hours ago, henrik2000 said:

Condo 1 owner requested me again to cancel the booking.

 

I find it rather odd to let me book a thing (which was 1 hour of hard work on a wobbly phone, fighting 10000 popups and credit card requirements), have it confirmed and then insisting twice i cancel it.

He seems to have a better offer direct, not via the agent, but wants YOU to cancel so as not to impact his standing with them!

[JimTripper]

They are asking you to cancel because the platform penalizes them when an owner cancels.

 

You would be lucky if the place you booked was even available when you arrived. I usually get a hotel room in any situation, then book on these sites later. That way I have a place without being put out and dragging my luggage around. I even check out the place the first day with my luggage back in the hotel, then retrieve it later after I get the keys. It’s the dumb Thai property owners that’s the problem, not the platform btw.

[Harveyboy]

On 12/25/2022 at 11:12 AM, newnative said:

    Condo rentals of less than 30 days are illegal in Thailand.  For good reason.  Stay legal at a hotel, instead.  Have some respect for owners living in their condos as their residence.   They don't want a parade of daily renters moving in and out all the time and often showing no respect or knowledge of condo rules and often demanding hotel services from condo staff, which is not their job.  

true had this at my condo room next door being used as a knocking shop ..also tourists turning up all hours renting Thu online booking just for a few days .. luckily it's ceased ..so if staying less than a month use hotel