Paperwork when renting a house

[spoonzor]

Hi!

Before I rented some cheap condo's and never really worried about the paperwork, sometimes I got a Thai contract, sometimes an English contract and often no contract at all.

But now I will rent a house, from owners that initially wanted to sell and they don't have any experience with renting. Do you have any advice considering the paperwork? Maybe you even have a standard contract that I can take with me? What should at least be in the contract?

Should I go to some government office to check if they actually own the house?

Request copies of their ID cards?
Anything else?

Thanks!

Edited January 3, 2014 by spoonzor

[spoonzor]

Is it normal to involve a lawyer in this situation? (as someone advised me elsewhere)

[LennyW]

No Need for a lawyer, use this contract and add what you need.

http://slice-of-thai.com/rental/rental_contract.pdf

[spoonzor]

Thanks Lanny, looks good.

[wayned]

Proof of ownership is easy. Get a signed copy of their ID and house book. If you are intending to use the rental agreement at immigration or the labor office you will need the copies anyway.

[rickirs]

Proof of ownership is easy. Get a signed copy of their ID and house book. If you are intending to use the rental agreement at immigration or the labor office you will need the copies anyway.

What if there is no house book, ie., blue book, as the owner owns and resides in another house? Would copy of the owners deed be necessary then?