Living in Airbb's Instead of Renting

[JimTripper]

I started living in Airbb's by the month instead of renting.

 

Is anyone else doing that here? Any problems or suggestions you have with this lifestyle? One obvious drawback is moving all the time, but it felt like I was moving around anyway in Asia on a long term lease. Another issue is feeling like it's not your home, but I felt that way when I was renting here long term 🤣. One big benefit is there are no deposits to worry about and the monthly price is about the same, maybe slightly more.

[shdmn]

Doesn't that get kind of expensive, even with the monthly discount?  They always seem to go for a premium compared to negotiating directly with the person managing it after staying a few days to see if you like it first.  It's no fun being stuck somewhere you don't like for an entire month.  Reviews are often overly positive, so I don't find them that reliable.

[JimTripper]

21 minutes ago, shdmn said:

Doesn't that get kind of expensive, even with the monthly discount?  They always seem to go for a premium compared to negotiating directly with the person managing it after staying a few days to see if you like it first.  It's no fun being stuck somewhere you don't like for an entire month.  Reviews are often overly positive, so I don't find them that reliable.

I don't usually negotiate, but prefer to just get a cheaper place that fits my budget.

 

I never really know if I'm going to like a long term rental either. There is the visit during a regular lease signing but it's usually rushed anyway and I barely have time to inspect each little thing when viewing with an agent or owner. The usual stipulation being it gets fixed after you move in.

 

Your right though, if I did find something egregious during a regular viewing I could back out without paying first.

[kanchajohan]

I think stay at airbnb is great.  I always use. Short time or longtime. Usually more familiar,  and always good information. 

[foreverlomsak]

Sounds well worth considering, especially with no deposit to be paid and therefore no hassles on departure.

Only negative impacts I can see is (and they may overshadow the gains)

1) Immigration i.e. TM30 and TM47 when needing an annual extension or another service,

2) postal deliveries - even having resided for nearly 20 years in the same house, a lot of foreign mail doesn't arrive e.g. demands for proof of life for pensions, and

3) maintaining up to date address details with DLT, Banks, etc.

[susanlea]

16 hours ago, JimTripper said:

I started living in Airbb's by the month instead of renting.

 

Is anyone else doing that here? Any problems or suggestions you have with this lifestyle? One obvious drawback is moving all the time, but it felt like I was moving around anyway in Asia on a long term lease. Another issue is feeling like it's not your home, but I felt that way when I was renting here long term 🤣. One big benefit is there are no deposits to worry about and the monthly price is about the same, maybe slightly more.

Try hotels. Some are only 185 baht net.

[ChipButty]

Using Airbnb month by month can be a good idea just make sure you read the listing description, 

Right now there has to be some good deals with it being low season, see what is included normally an Airbnb is better equipped, so no need to buy anything, sometime when you rent long term there is the bare minimum, ie no bedding or bedding that has been well used, 

And as people have already said no paying deposits then the hassle of getting it back, no need to give a months notice to leave, 

 

[supersomchai]

Check for spy cams in Airbnb rooms there have been a few instances of this

in europe .

[ChipButty]

24 minutes ago, supersomchai said:

Check for spy cams in Airbnb rooms there have been a few instances of this

in europe .

Not no more Airbnb have clamped right down on that

[Kerryd]

I guess that's one way to keep your name off the radar.
No rental contracts.
No lease agreements.
Constantly changing addresses.

Yep. Nothing to see here. Move along.

[RayWright]

Agree, can work out more cost effective then renting, plus as said above no reclaiming deposits back hassle. 

Had a 3 month contract in Malaysia couple of years ago, and got an AirBnB for the duration. Got supper discount, Elec/Water/WiFi all included, plus gym and swimming pools and panoramic views of Singapore.  Paid 1 month at time of booking, them monthly in advanced, as per AirBnB regs. Showed rental contract to Immigration at Airport, and stamped in for 3 months no probs.

However, with Thailands Immigration and the fact they want to know where your staying, then might be an issue if questioned, especially if staying beyond 90 day (assumes you're not border hopping).

Did look at 3 month stay in the past, as great long stay discounts, but once I questioned the potential Landlord on TM30 they all stopped communicating!

[JimTripper]

9 hours ago, supersomchai said:

Check for spy cams in Airbnb rooms there have been a few instances of this

in europe .

That's always in the back of my mind. All those short amateur clips online could be from cams. On the other hand, I don't care much at my age. I don't think I would be very popular.

[Patong2021]

On 8/13/2024 at 11:16 AM, JimTripper said:

I started living in Airbb's by the month instead of renting.

 

Is anyone else doing that here? Any problems or suggestions you have with this lifestyle? One obvious drawback is moving all the time, but it felt like I was moving around anyway in Asia on a long term lease. Another issue is feeling like it's not your home, but I felt that way when I was renting here long term 🤣. One big benefit is there are no deposits to worry about and the monthly price is about the same, maybe slightly more.

 

Why not get a service apartment? cleaning service and change of sheets and towels.

[JimTripper]

24 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

Why not get a service apartment? cleaning service and change of sheets and towels.

I'm at a boutique hotel now. Cleaning as often as needed and electric is included. The only drawback is there is no kitchen in the room or laundry. I have 24/7 access to the hotel kitchen though. Also, the staff is gone at night and there's nobody around 🤣 except a few other guests I almost never see.

 

I think this place simply ran out of customers and turned into an airbnb room rental place. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[AreYouGerman]

8 hours ago, Kerryd said:

I guess that's one way to keep your name off the radar.
No rental contracts.
No lease agreements.
Constantly changing addresses.

Yep. Nothing to see here. Move along.

 

Except for Airbnb's bio-metric ID/passport verification.

 

Bro's not updated about how strict the Internet is.

[AreYouGerman]

27 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

 

Why not get a service apartment? cleaning service and change of sheets and towels.

 

So, like in the Airbnb I am right now?

[AreYouGerman]

37 minutes ago, JimTripper said:

That's always in the back of my mind. All those short amateur clips online could be from cams. On the other hand, I don't care much at my age. I don't think I would be very popular.

 

Upload to the major sites (Pornhub, onlyfans, etc.) only with bio-metric ID/passport verification and contract signing.

[AreYouGerman]

9 minutes ago, JimTripper said:

I'm at a boutique hotel now. Cleaning as often as needed and electric is included. The only drawback is there is no kitchen in the room or laundry. I have 24/7 access to the hotel kitchen though. Also, the staff is gone at night and there's nobody around 🤣 except a few other guests I almost never see.

 

I think this place simply ran out of customers and turned into an airbnb room rental place. 🤷🏻‍♂️

 

And commission on Airbnb can be like 10% cheaper, so it's worth it. Also, I see many Hotels offering rooms on Airbnb as well. Everybody's there except the chains.

[ChipButty]

3 hours ago, AreYouGerman said:

 

And commission on Airbnb can be like 10% cheaper, so it's worth it. Also, I see many Hotels offering rooms on Airbnb as well. Everybody's there except the chains.

Airbnb does have hotels listed just another section, 

 

[ChipButty]

11 hours ago, RayWright said:

Agree, can work out more cost effective then renting, plus as said above no reclaiming deposits back hassle. 

Had a 3 month contract in Malaysia couple of years ago, and got an AirBnB for the duration. Got supper discount, Elec/Water/WiFi all included, plus gym and swimming pools and panoramic views of Singapore.  Paid 1 month at time of booking, them monthly in advanced, as per AirBnB regs. Showed rental contract to Immigration at Airport, and stamped in for 3 months no probs.

However, with Thailands Immigration and the fact they want to know where your staying, then might be an issue if questioned, especially if staying beyond 90 day (assumes you're not border hopping).

Did look at 3 month stay in the past, as great long stay discounts, but once I questioned the potential Landlord on TM30 they all stopped communicating!

Airbnb does remind all host of the legal requirement, They do include the link to the immigration web site in the booking conformation email, 

[ChipButty]

Airbnb's struggles go beyond people spending less. It's losing some travelers to hotels.

https://bit.ly/3SPfQP7

[NowNow]

21 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

Airbnb's struggles go beyond people spending less. It's losing some travelers to hotels.

https://bit.ly/3SPfQP7

 

US-centric....

[BKKKevin]

I would highly recommend one do a couple weeks or a month and any condo building they want to rent long term or buy... You get to know the building and neighborhood... And can talk with the Airbnb about renting directly long term... And can chat with other renter/owners and get an insight into better priced rentals or units for sale...

 

The one drawback of a popular condo Airbnb is that these buildings turn into glorified hotels that one really doesn't have a homelike feel... Here in Chiang Mai the Astra condo complexes come to mind I stayed a month there while my condo was being redecorated... It was nice but overrun with people pushing suitcases daily and the rooftop pool and gym were a crowded selfy nightmare 

[susanlea]

9 minutes ago, BKKKevin said:

I would highly recommend one do a couple weeks or a month and any condo building they want to rent long term or buy... You get to know the building and neighborhood... And can talk with the Airbnb about renting directly long term... And can chat with other renter/owners and get an insight into better priced rentals or units for sale...

 

The one drawback of a popular condo Airbnb is that these buildings turn into glorified hotels that one really doesn't have a homelike feel... Here in Chiang Mai the Astra condo complexes come to mind... 

I love living in hotels. Been doing it for years.

[AreYouGerman]

2 hours ago, ChipButty said:

Airbnb's struggles go beyond people spending less. It's losing some travelers to hotels.

https://bit.ly/3SPfQP7

 

Yeah, always worth comparing Airbnb and other sites, people think they can get rich on Airbnb by asking extremely high prices for their <deleted>ty apartments. It was an entire business model. Was. Times have changed, fortunately for us customers.

[JimTripper]

9 hours ago, BKKKevin said:

I would highly recommend one do a couple weeks or a month and any condo building they want to rent long term or buy... You get to know the building and neighborhood... And can talk with the Airbnb about renting directly long term... And can chat with other renter/owners and get an insight into better priced rentals or units for sale...

 

The one drawback of a popular condo Airbnb is that these buildings turn into glorified hotels that one really doesn't have a homelike feel... Here in Chiang Mai the Astra condo complexes come to mind I stayed a month there while my condo was being redecorated... It was nice but overrun with people pushing suitcases daily and the rooftop pool and gym were a crowded selfy nightmare 

I stay away from anything new and modern. That's a great way to avoid chinese tourists and tourists in general. They don't like the old places for some reason, even the well maintained ones.

[Patong2021]

15 hours ago, NowNow said:

 

US-centric....

 

Not really. Many regions with a critical shortage of housing have cracked down on BNB and short term rentals by absentee landlords. One example which hit Air BNB hard was Canada where some provinces imposed registration and licensing fees to crack down on operators who did not pay taxes and who forced out long term rentals.

 

23 hours ago, AreYouGerman said:

 

So, like in the Airbnb I am right now?

 

I will restrict my comments to the cities I know: Hua Hin - the serviced apartments are priced slightly lower than or similar to the basic studio Air BNBs. The difference is that there is 24 hour service, daily  cleaning and frequent linen changes at the service apartments. A big condo complex down the soi from me is quite nice and offers a better  gym and bigger pool, but the  linen  change is only once a stay and there is no daily cleaning. The condo owners really hate the short stay guests since they are disruptive. I didn't want to move there because it's like a cheap motel at times despite it being a nice condo complex. 

In Patong, I rented a condo from a fellow who also rented other units on Air BNB. The Air BNB cost was comparable to a hotel, except the big condo did not have a gym, and the pool was  disgusting.  Units had small kitchen with  no ovens.

 

My takeaway is that Air BNB isn't so great if you have the time to look around and know a  locale.

[JimTripper]

7 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

The difference is that there is 24 hour service, daily  cleaning and frequent linen changes at the service apartments. A big condo complex down the soi from me is quite nice and offers a better  gym and bigger pool, but the  linen  change is only once a stay and there is no daily cleaning. The condo owners really hate the short stay guests since they are disruptive. I didn't want to move there because it's like a cheap motel at times despite it being a nice condo complex. 

In Patong, I rented a condo from a fellow who also rented other units on Air BNB. The Air BNB cost was comparable to a hotel, except the big condo did not have a gym, and the pool was  disgusting.  Units had small kitchen with  no ovens.

 

My takeaway is that Air BNB isn't so great if you have the time to look around and know a  locale.

That brings up another issue. Cleaning, service staff & privacy.

 

They are getting better at supplying the 'do not disturb' signs and 'clean room now' signs, as people complain more I suspect. It's a hassle to guard the door in a long term stay though with staff never really 100% 'getting it' regarding when to come in or not. I feel like half of it is cleaning and the other half is monitoring the property. After all, they don't really know who is in there, right.

 

I do sacrifice a good deal of privacy in the BNB. It's not the same as coming home to your own unit and locking the door. It usually feels like there is someone there watching 😅, either through coming and going or via cleaning.

 

There are also the questions with a meetup check in about how many people etc which is off putting. I never know if they have an issue with guests if I'm standing there solo and say 'one'. If I say two they may ask for ID or whatever.