Is it normal to ask for Credit Card or cash to pay your rent on a house lease?

[NCC1701A]

I was just wondering how most of you pay your rent on a house that you are leasing?

I was told that cash or credit card would be used at the lease signing

Anyone out there have real world experience with this?

Thanks

[Crossy]

Cash is king.

We were given no option, the folding stuff only.

[Upnotover]

Cash.

[ubonjoe]

I use online banking to transfer the rent to our landladies account. She likes the cha ching SMS's she gets.

[Gsxrnz]

I use the ATM to transfer the rent payment to the Landlady. Saves the grief of having to get the cash, physically carry it and then go find the landlady.

I had it clearly written in to the lease that this was the method of payment, and that the ATM receipt was sufficient evidence of payment.

Done it this way with 4 rentals over 4 years and never had a problem.

Edit: They may want actual cash at the lease signing for the deposit and first month's rent as a sign of good faith, especially if an agent has been used as the agent's commission will be expected in cash on the day.

Don't pay a single baht until the lease is signed, you are happy with all the conditions, you've inspected the property and taken photos of any existing damage and noted it on the lease, been given a list of chattels contained in the house and verified the accuracy, and you're satisfied that the person you're dealing with has the authority to rent the house to you and accept the cash. Get copies of their ID cards and get a receipt written in English.

Another Edit: Get a witness (preferably Thai) to sign the lease as well, and also attach a copy of their ID card. I don't want to sound too phobic, but if you use the belt/braces/binder twine theory in doing things like leasing a house, the chances of things going pear shaped are dramatically reduced.

Edited February 18, 2014 by Gsxrnz

[NCC1701A]

Thank you all, good info

[crazykopite]

Nobody likes taking credit card payments only the big stores everyone wants cash to avoid paying taxes that is why Thailand is in the state it's in money under the bed

[RigPig]

Yeah there is a good chance they aren't paying tax on it. I pay mine 6 months at a time in cash and everytime the rent is due insist they do the repairs or I'm out. Been going on like this for 4 years and not really any issues.

[realenglish1]

I just put it in my landlords bank account ever month for 3 years now Never a problem Easy

so cash is king I think

[CIHUAHUA]

Cash to their bank and always, always keep the receipts.

[dao16]

Now we do cash. Previous place, wire transfer into their account in the same bank account. That said, I didn't show them my bank card or anything. I just told them the bank and my name....deposits would be coming in from there, I said. As others noted, that is nice as it is recorded in the system.

[PattayaPhom]

Squatting is free