Rental Prices In Chiang Mai

[WinnieTheKhwai]

> The pool example posted by LJW is quite atypical.

But not impossible. I believe he had the pool built himself. This of course requires a good and long standing relationship with the property owner, which LJW clearly has.

Having a good relationship with the property owner is very important, and a big part of your happiness in renting. This requires the property owner to be sensible and reasonable with a sense of responsibility, and it requires the renter to live up to his part in taking care of the property well, and perhaps discussing any maintenance, upkeep and improvement that happens.

It's a supplier-customer relationship where both parties benefit from a good relationship. (Actually more than just supplier-customer because the supplier has an interest in maintaining and perhaps adding to the value of the property.)

Edited May 5, 2011 by WinnieTheKhwai

[wolf5370]

One thing I've noticed up here in CM, Thai land lords never seem to up their rent - this is obviously a personal experience, but I would be interested to know if anyone has been whacked with an increase. It seems to be that the rents stay the same year in year out.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

One thing I've noticed up here in CM, Thai land lords never seem to up their rent - this is obviously a personal experience, but I would be interested to know if anyone has been whacked with an increase. It seems to be that the rents stay the same year in year out.

It happens, but overall I think you're right, in that there are many cases of people paying the same low rent for years and years. Of course when renters change, an increase is often applied. Also when major maintenance happens the owner may want to up the rent.

As with other prices increases in Thailand, nothing happens for a long time and then suddenly there is an attempt at a ridiculous increase. Then either the renter moves out, or something more reasonable is negotiated.

That said, I have personally never had the rent increased on me, ever.

[sarahsbloke]

One thing I've noticed up here in CM, Thai land lords never seem to up their rent - this is obviously a personal experience, but I would be interested to know if anyone has been whacked with an increase. It seems to be that the rents stay the same year in year out.

Yep, last year the landlady of my home upped the rent from 7,000bht to 8,000bht

I moved to a similar property priced at 5,000bht, she now has a vacant house.

Edited May 5, 2011 by sarahsbloke

[Thaifan2]

>>> The pool example posted by LJW is quite atypical.

But not impossible. I believe he had the pool built himself <<

I knew their had to be a catch .

[ebcal]

Thanks to all for the helpful information. I will check more of the threads and do some reading on past posts. I will definitely rent first and maybe would continue renting long term. Got the clear message to look around on my own and dealing directly with the owner's is probably the best, but that there could be some cases where an agent can help, but have to make sure you can find a good agent.

I have a Thai GF who lives in CM and she has a condo, large studio that rents for 6k/mon. I have stayed there, when I visited CM. So, I do have a local I can trust and a place to stay as long as needed, until we decide to get another

place. She prefers a condo and nothing too big, although she could consider a house, if I really wanted it. I have not decided yet on house versus condo, as I see pros and cons of both, but would probably look at something

with 2BR, maybe one as a spare guest room, but could consider more or less BR's if other things are right.. But, I will have to wait until I decide to make the move there, then I can actually look around at places.

[sarahsbloke]

I have a Thai GF who lives in CM and she has a condo, large studio that rents for 6k/mon. I have stayed there, when I visited CM. So, I do have a local I can trust and a place to stay as long as needed, until we decide to get another

Quite a few gfs try for a commission too!

I'm sure yours isn't like that though (but at least one of mine was)

[letitbe]

>>I would like to add a little warning to newcomers ....often people even on TV say, "find a Thai friend you can trust" to help you. I think you will have no chance in hell of finding any person you can trust when a large commission is involved<<

Very very true in every single dealing I have ever had.... yet in saying that- easy to bypass if talking direct to owner. As Thais will burn each other for an extra buck in a second... lets face it so to do Farang sales guys with no contracts in place.

Even if they say 12K bt pm- offer absolutely outrageous 6K bt then get them to tell you their lowest price. Offer 3 months upfront and it soon heads down to 8K without a problem. Agents will hate this thread- as you cannot do this will most agents in my experience. As you paying all the middle men in this case... agents great to show you around- Lol. Then take note of areas you like then talk direct when you see 10 for rent signs in the same area. Funny how most Agents only cater to Farangs, Japanese or Koreans- there is a reason. We can be naive if we are not in the know. Coming from a guy who has been DONE many many times in last few years. Slow learner- Lol.

Cheers Jay

nonsense their are very few Thais who rent decent houses or condos and most Thais have a top budget of 3,000 baht a month. Im sure their are bargains out there but understand at those prices you will be expected to pay for any repairs or problems. Also at the low prices do not expect air con that works well or proper electrics and if going for condo bargains in cheaper places down expect a clean pool or much service. You get what you pay for and while its true a lot of newcomers pay well over odds for a good place they usually move to better value places after a year or so. If you want a proper place with nice furniture, new air con, nice clean pool and good services expect to pay around 8-12,000 for a studio condo all new furniture and new or newly renovated. More in newer blocks. You can get nice units for 6-8,000 but air con is probably old and furniture faded or its very small. 1 to 2 bedroom places expect to pay for decent quality with new air con good pool and other good amenities expect to pay 10,000-16,000 depending on block and size. Top quality very large condos with new furnishings, good new air con can set you back 20,000-30,000. anything over 25,000 would have to be special with maybe full home theatre, Jacuzzi top quality kitchen and other features which still by western city standards are a bargain if you want that level of luxury. Houses are much cheaper but most of bargains quoted are some way out of town and you need a car. All prices quoted are for condos in city centre and based on my research as a long term regular visitor to CM. I normally stay 3-5 months a year and often research if it is better for me to rent a condo instead of staying in serviced apartments. I will probably one day buy a condo in CM for my visits or rent long term but I require decent facilities, air con that works well, a good pool and all other niceties. If you budget for higher end and look around you can always later find places which will probably offer better value.

While some places are overpriced you normally get what you pay for. Just do your research and do use agents and check websites.

[letitbe]

One thing I've noticed up here in CM, Thai land lords never seem to up their rent - this is obviously a personal experience, but I would be interested to know if anyone has been whacked with an increase. It seems to be that the rents stay the same year in year out.

Yep, last year the landlady of my home upped the rent from 7,000bht to 8,000bht

I moved to a similar property priced at 5,000bht, she now has a vacant house.

and lets see how you get on in 1 year with your new landlord. If your finances are so tight 1,000 baht matters at all then I would not want you as a tenant. People like you are so clever and always get best value for money but usually loose in the end. I wander if you asked why the rent was increased and wander how long you had lived in the place. Good luck with your 5,000 baht bargain but wait until something needs fixing.

[sarahsbloke]

One thing I've noticed up here in CM, Thai land lords never seem to up their rent - this is obviously a personal experience, but I would be interested to know if anyone has been whacked with an increase. It seems to be that the rents stay the same year in year out.

Yep, last year the landlady of my home upped the rent from 7,000bht to 8,000bht

I moved to a similar property priced at 5,000bht, she now has a vacant house.

and lets see how you get on in 1 year with your new landlord. If your finances are so tight 1,000 baht matters at all then I would not want you as a tenant. People like you are so clever and always get best value for money but usually loose in the end. I wander if you asked why the rent was increased and wander how long you had lived in the place. Good luck with your 5,000 baht bargain but wait until something needs fixing.

Actually the place I just moved to had fuse box that kept cutting out, fixed the day I complained, a leaky tap, replaced a couple of weeks later, broken bed, I fixed that, front door off it's runners, I fixed that too.

The mattress in the bedroom was past it, so I replaced it at my own expense.

As far as I'm concerned I have no problem doing my own maintenance at my own cost, I rarely bother the landlord (unless it needs specialist workers or is a major expense) except to hand over the rent on time every month. I am also paying 1,000bht a month more (25% more) than the Thai neighbor with a similar house, so I won't be expecting an increase for quite a while

My current landlady thinks I am the perfect tenant.

Does 1,000bht matter, well that is a 15% increase, so yes it does matter, not all white people are stupid and foolish with their money.

Edited May 6, 2011 by sarahsbloke

[WinnieTheKhwai]

One thing I've noticed up here in CM, Thai land lords never seem to up their rent - this is obviously a personal experience, but I would be interested to know if anyone has been whacked with an increase. It seems to be that the rents stay the same year in year out.

Yep, last year the landlady of my home upped the rent from 7,000bht to 8,000bht

I moved to a similar property priced at 5,000bht, she now has a vacant house.

and lets see how you get on in 1 year with your new landlord. If your finances are so tight 1,000 baht matters at all then I would not want you as a tenant. People like you are so clever and always get best value for money but usually loose in the end. I wander if you asked why the rent was increased and wander how long you had lived in the place. Good luck with your 5,000 baht bargain but wait until something needs fixing.

Letitbe, I liked your financial summary of condominiums and while I never rented one I think the overview looks very sensible. In this case however you seem to make the assumption that paying more will always give you better service/responsibility on the part of the owner. Not sure if you intended it that way but it sure sounds like that. It is entirly possible (as in 50-50) that he will receive BETTER care for a 5000 property compared to the 7000 one that was hiked to 8000.

I know I received my best ever level of responsibility and help with maintenance issues on a property I was paying 3500 baht for!

So while you often 'get what you pay for', it's more likely that 'you get what you get', with price not always having a sane relationship to the stuff you're getting.

[amexpat]

So while you often 'get what you pay for', it's more likely that 'you get what you get', with price not always having a sane relationship to the stuff you're getting.

Absolutely. You get what you pay for - except when you don't. Which may be half the time.

A truly useless platitude perhaps coined by P.T. Barnum or an early Cadillac salesman.