Obliged to give copy of passport?

[agg211]

I just rented a place. The landlord didn't put his name on the "contract" so I'm not sure if he's going to do the TM30 reporting.

Now he's asking me for a copy of my passport. Am I obliged to give it to him even if he doesn't do TM30 reporting?

[Mike Lister]

He wants ID from his tenant, what else is going to ask for! Yes, you are obliged.

[agg211]

2 minutes ago, Mike Lister said:

He wants ID from his tenant, what else is going to ask for! Yes, you are obliged.

Yes, that sounds reasonable. But isn't he also obliged to give me his name?

[Mike Lister]

1 minute ago, agg211 said:

Yes, that sounds reasonable. But isn't he also obliged to give me his name?

Yes, since you now ask, that's also reasonable. You could try asking him for  a copy or picture of his ID card but be prepared he may refuse, if he does, be prepared to walk away.

 

BTW make sure the contract covers the circumstances governing return of the deposit and make sure you understand the contract completely, if you don't, don't sign it.

[sirineou]

4 minutes ago, agg211 said:

Yes, that sounds reasonable. But isn't he also obliged to give me his name?

Absolutely!! If you wants yours,he should give you his. 

[Mike Lister]

2 minutes ago, sirineou said:

Absolutely!! If you wants yours,he should give you his. 

Is this like, I'll show you mine if you show me yours?

[Dan O]

If is isnt willing to put his name on the contract that's a big red flag he may not actually be the owner but a second hand agent. Insist on a copy of the owners ID card and book for the place your're renting and demand he agree to file the TM30 and that your covered for the return of the security deposit. if he refuses you may want to walk .away

[federicoP]

You are signing a contract with someone and you don't know who the other party is?

This sounds really alarming......

[sirineou]

8 minutes ago, Mike Lister said:

Is this like, I'll show you mine if you show me yours?

5555

Yes indeed.

Interesting thought though. If the "Landlord" does not give you his/hers name.  How do you even know if indeed you are giving him money for a property that is not even his? 

[KhunLA]

Who's name is on the contract ?

 

If using contract for visa and or extension of, you will need a copy of his/her ID.  As other's stated, you should have verified the owner of the property.   I have with the past 2 rentals, requested a copy of the Chanote to verify ownership.

 

A common scam, rent out a vacant property they don't own.

[JimTripper]

15 minutes ago, Mike Lister said:

Yes, since you now ask, that's also reasonable. You could try asking him for  a copy or picture of his ID card but be prepared he may refuse, if he does, be prepared to walk away.

 

BTW make sure the contract covers the circumstances governing return of the deposit and make sure you understand the contract completely, if you don't, don't sign it.

It's best to get a copy of the contract and review it overnight. Many people get it in the office and are rushed to sign  then and there while people are waiting. There's a lot of pressure to sign it quickly in that situation.

[Mike Lister]

1 minute ago, JimTripper said:

It's best to get a copy of the contract and review it overnight. Many people get it in the office and are rushed to sign  then and there while people are waiting. There's a lot of pressure to sign it quickly in that situation.

I agree completely. But I'm betting the contract is already signed and the deposit paid because the op says he's just rented a place, this may be a done deal already.

[Red Phoenix]

As others already remarked, if the owner/landlord is not willing to put his name on the rental agreement, such rental agreement will almost certainly not be accepted by local Immigration as proof of your address, and your application for an Immigration service like a 90-day Non Imm O Visa or an extension of your current Visa wlll be rejected.  

[agg211]

I asked this landlord to give me a copy of the TM30 reporting and he says that I can "report information to the local immigration." Does that make sense? Can I do TM30 reporting to immigration without any information of the landlord?

[bigt3116]

16 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

A common scam, rent out a vacant property they don't own.

 

Any examples of this?

 

[Mike Lister]

3 minutes ago, bigt3116 said:

 

Any examples of this?

 

All over the place, even my next door neighbour! It's very common amongst the Chinese community here who make money by renting onwards but wont support deposit refund liabilities.

[JimTripper]

11 minutes ago, bigt3116 said:

 

Any examples of this?

 

Probably referring to covert subletting where there is a renter re-renting it for a higher price. We used to do something similar when i lived in NYC. we divided up the rooms and got a bunch of roommates that brought our rent way down or even let us live free. Like turning the living room into another bedroom, etc. One guy collects the money from everybody like an agent and pays the landlord. The roommates don't know what the true rent is, only care about what they agreed to pay with the agent who listed the room.

 

A more common problem would be owners who have someone else, like an agent or friend, manage their property. The agent acts as the owner on the lease. Payments go into the agents bank.

 

If there is a dispute between the true owner and the agent, like for example, the money does not get transfered, or there is a problem in their relationship, the renter suffers because their deposit is not returned or they have to move.

[300sd]

11 minutes ago, agg211 said:

I asked this landlord to give me a copy of the TM30 reporting and he says that I can "report information to the local immigration." Does that make sense? Can I do TM30 reporting to immigration without any information of the landlord?

Is this the landlord or the landlords agent? Either way you need a house book copy and copy of ID signed by either the agent or landlord. The contract or rental agreement will be signed by both of you and dated. One copy for you and one for the landlord. Then you can do a TM30 yourself. If the landlord/agent will not do this then find another rental.

[Crossy]

11 minutes ago, bigt3116 said:

Any examples of this?

 

We were actually the victims of a similar scam, long ago (2004). Rented a condo from the Management Company, no problem, paid deposit and rent, got receipts.

 

After about 3 years a lady turned up at the door and was rather surprised to see us. She had a loong chat with Madam and drank coffee. Turned out she was the actual owner and the Mgmt Co. weren't sending her the rent and hadn't told her there was anyone renting.

 

We switched to paying her direct and stayed another 5 years. Condo management company were, er, removed.

 

[bbi1]

1 hour ago, agg211 said:

Yes, that sounds reasonable. But isn't he also obliged to give me his name?

Of course he has to. He has to give you a copy of his Thai ID card or passport if it's a foreigner, the copy of the house book and title deed. All 3 of these things form part of the rental contract, all stapled together.

[Celsius]

This must be Pattaya. I never see these kind of scams in Bangkok.

[agg211]

4 minutes ago, Celsius said:

This must be Pattaya. I never see these kind of scams in Bangkok.

Are you badmouthing me? 😂

[JimTripper]

7 minutes ago, Celsius said:

This must be Pattaya. I never see these kind of scams in Bangkok.

That's because people in pattaya are running out of money a lot more, so their are more scams. More people around that have lost self-control due to a hedonistic lifestyle, which ultimately translates into a loss of control over money.

[ezzra]

In Thailand it is normal for Thais to present their ID in almost any dealing with government banks and other institutions and the same applies to foreigners, so if you have nothing to hide or planning a scam, than by all means, provide your ID...

[Lucky Bones]

1 hour ago, Mike Lister said:

Yes, since you now ask, that's also reasonable. You could try asking him for  a copy or picture of his ID card but be prepared he may refuse, if he does, be prepared to walk away.

 

BTW make sure the contract covers the circumstances governing return of the deposit and make sure you understand the contract completely, if you don't, don't sign it.

Agreed Mister Lister.

OP should be prepared to walk away if not on a two way street.🙃🙃

[The Fugitive]

58 minutes ago, bigt3116 said:

 

Any examples of this?

Not only involving rent. Deposit scammers operate Worldwide in property sales too. Classified ad online. You go to view the house. The 'vendor' tells you he has several prospective purchasers but, so far, nobody has yet come up with any money. He is desperate to move because he has secured a new job abroad. That's why he's advertising his house at a bargain price. Whoever is first to come up with 10% deposit gets his house. Of course, he isn't the owner.  

[Mike Lister]

32 minutes ago, Celsius said:

This must be Pattaya. I never see these kind of scams in Bangkok.

Common in the North in Chiang Mai

[Lucky Bones]

1 hour ago, Mike Lister said:

Is this like, I'll show you mine if you show me yours?

Stop it. Don't encourage Big Knob....errr...Big Nok to comment.🙃🙃

[Red Phoenix]

1 hour ago, agg211 said:

I asked this landlord to give me a copy of the TM30 reporting and he says that I can "report information to the local immigration." Does that make sense? Can I do TM30 reporting to immigration without any information of the landlord?

No, that doesn't make sense.  As a foreigner you cannot stay long-term in Thailand without ever needing a service from an Immigration Office, and the Imm Office will require proof of your address in their province before providing any service.

Note: The only way of staying long-term in Thailand without every visiting an Imm Office, would be on a 1-year MultipleEntry Non Imm O Visa, and exiting/re-entering Thailand every 3 months (before expiry of the 90-day Permission to stay such Visa provides you).  

 

[Mika78]

As a landlord myself, there is nothing strange in his request. Ask him to provide you a copy of his ID as well. I always do, no matter if they ask for it or not.