Hi, I am currently in Bangkok looking for a cheap apartment for a 6 month lease. I have been told landlords typically do NOT return deposits to foreigners. If this is a common scam, what steps can I take to get back my deposit?

Yes, it is very common. The best thing you can do is arrange with the landlord that you will stay for free the last months and use your deposit that way. Do that a couple of months before you leave.

The problem is often that the landlord tends to spend your deposit, before you can get a chance to get it back. So do not expect to get your deposit back. Don't look at it as a scam. Its just for many Thai's not normal to have to pay money to farangs. (It just does not seem right) The money flows only one way and best to keep it that way ;-)

Getting money back from a Thai ?

Best suggestion is armed assault

One option is, to give the case to a lawyer, isn't it?

One option is, to give the case to a lawyer, isn't it?

Thats a great way to atleast DOUBLE the loss!

The last 2 apartments that I rented I got my deposit back, minus some small expenses.

The easiest way is to buy an old Lamborghini, hire a scientist to transform that into a garbage burning time machine, and then fly back and kill your own grandfather..... thus stopping your earlier self from giving a deposit in the first place.

Unfortunately, your history will be also wiped out and you will fade into non-existance.

I am afraid there is no other way even remotely possible.

One option is, to give the case to a lawyer, isn't it?

Thats a great way to atleast DOUBLE the loss!

If you have a valid lease agreement and the landlord don't have any claims against you, why you should not get your money back?

I've gotten a couple back but never without a fight, think of the deposit as a gift to the landlord to get the keys off his house

Then if you get it back its a bonus

I've always had my deposit returned. Though I did have to call the pigs once.

I have always had my deposit returned from all previous landlords (3)...best advice is to rent somewhere recommended by a friend and remember to be polite to the landlord throughout your tenancy.

One option is, to give the case to a lawyer, isn't it?

Thats a great way to atleast DOUBLE the loss!

If you have a valid lease agreement and the landlord don't have any claims against you, why you should not get your money back?

Duh!! welcome to Thailand.

One option is, to give the case to a lawyer, isn't it?

Thats a great way to atleast DOUBLE the loss!

If you have a valid lease agreement and the landlord don't have any claims against you, why you should not get your money back?

You have to pay the lawyer. That's money lost.

I have always gotten my room deposit back without problem.

I was also never more than 2 month's rent. Currently 1 month's rent.

One option is, to give the case to a lawyer, isn't it?

You're not in Kansas any more Dorothy.

If you didn't sign a contract yet, please contact me.

The last 2 apartments that I rented I got my deposit back, minus some small expenses.

Don't confuse folks here at the Farang Fantasy Factory with any real examples that don't support their prejudices.

Undoubtedly getting a deposit back can be a trial. I know the few times I rented many years ago in the US it was never easy or quick to get. But based on my few experiences I would not feel qualified to start spouting about MOST CASES or make other generalities for which I couldn't possibly have sufficient information.

Mate don't believe the <deleted> you read on here would be a good start.

If it is an apartment block you move into rather than a condo you are dealing with a landlord who owns the entire building.

Your 5 or 6k deposit is neither here nor there to him.

Find out the rules...........your get things like drilling a hole in the wall with have a charge when you leave.

Any damage like that they have to repair they will charge you and rightly so.

Most people who claim to lose their deposit forget to tell you they burned a hole in the guys sofa or pi$$ed the bed.

In cheap condos around the 3k mark they will play 100% fair if you do the same. Thai people on a whole are very good hearted when they get to know you.

It's a bit of a no brainer that if a tenant uses up his security deposit the landlord has then go no security should you cause any damage.

using up your security deposit is the same as not paying your rent and they have the right to charge you.

What most Thai landlord will do if they think you are being a smart a$$ is lock you out keep all your belongings until you pay.

My advice is talk to some tenants who know the people running the place and they will soon tell you if they are ok or not.

Say you pay two months deposit it means, that the last two months of the stay is being not paid. Keep paying for utilities and things but not for the rent. On leaving you may leave an average of your utilities and a phone number. If you call them a month later and they say "ok" then the utilities were less, otherwise pay up the minor difference against presentation of utility bills.
Worked fine for me over the last 29 years; landlords do not like it but in one case I rented from the same guys again and they loved it. We're not into cheating but whoever wants something from someone else is lost. So make sure that everybody wants something from you without misusing the situation ;-)

I've always had my deposit returned. Though I did have to call the pigs once.

And yet, even though those officers actions allowed you to get a deposit back that would have otherwise been lost to you...you still find it impossible to refer to them with some level of respect.

Your post speaks volumes for the kind of miscreant you are.

T.I.T. t This is Thailand you won't get your deposit back, just say goodbye to it.

Stand on one foot...flap both arms up and down wildly...while shouting...koo koo...koo koo...!

The last 2 apartments that I rented I got my deposit back, minus some small expenses.

Don't confuse folks here at the Farang Fantasy Factory with any real examples that don't support their prejudices.

Undoubtedly getting a deposit back can be a trial. I know the few times I rented many years ago in the US it was never easy or quick to get. But based on my few experiences I would not feel qualified to start spouting about MOST CASES or make other generalities for which I couldn't possibly have sufficient information.

I always got my deposits back in farang land and NEVER EVER in Thailand. They just hate foreigners love to scam them.. or maybe its is because I am not renting.. not sure

The last 2 apartments that I rented I got my deposit back, minus some small expenses.

Pretty well every job I've ever done in Thailand has been for Thais and I have been paid every time, no exception. That is a LOT of times.

.

I've never had a problem getting the deposit back. Or just not paying the last month rent, which the landlord suggested.

Maybe in touristy areas they are more likely to scam, but in the normal apartment blocks with mainly Thai tenants, I have never had a problem. In fact they always love me and are sad to see me go, because unlike some tenants I always pay on time, I'm quiet and don't play karaoke at 3am, and I love the air con so I always have the highest electricity bill in the building (apartments make a profit on electricity as they charge above the real rate)

I give notice then just run the deposit out, in rent. It's been that way in six out of six places which I've rented.

The easiest way is to buy an old Lamborghini, hire a scientist to transform that into a garbage burning time machine, and then fly back and kill your own grandfather..... thus stopping your earlier self from giving a deposit in the first place.

Unfortunately, your history will be also wiped out and you will fade into non-existance.

I am afraid there is no other way even remotely possible.

DeLorean

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

The last 2 apartments that I rented I got my deposit back, minus some small expenses.

Don't confuse folks here at the Farang Fantasy Factory with any real examples that don't support their prejudices.

Undoubtedly getting a deposit back can be a trial. I know the few times I rented many years ago in the US it was never easy or quick to get. But based on my few experiences I would not feel qualified to start spouting about MOST CASES or make other generalities for which I couldn't possibly have sufficient information.

Please go back to the Totally Worthless <deleted> division and make sure to get hurt along the way.

Make sure you have a rental agreement.

We've always gotten our deposits back. Either they've returned it straight out. Or they've let us run down the last month in rent.

Our last place before this one, our land lord even offered to buy some furniture off us which we didn't want to continue using at her place.

I've got my deposit back in full and within reasonable time from all landlords I have rented from here in Thailand. The same experiences had the other farangs in the companies I worked for.

Sorry to read others have different experiences.

i have never paid deposit and never got skammed.... been here xx years. only renting. no thai wife/gf.

charm vs jai dee vs common sense vs meeting right people...................................................................................................