Apartment rental - How to...

[ctbeemer]

Hey Forum Buddies

We've been teaching in Thailand for 1.5 years but were given the use of an apartment on the school premises so never had to worry about the ins and outs of finding a place to rent ourselves. Now that we're starting work at a new school next semester, we'll have to do just that.

Does anyone have any info for us on how to go about searching for a place to rent? Any information will be helpful: contracts, deposits, pitfalls, water & lights, WiFi.

Oh, and we adopted a stray cat which does complicate things just a little.

Thanks

[crazygreg44]

Sportvilla ?

oh sorry, i forgot to ask WHERE

Edited October 3, 2014 by crazygreg44

[jdinasia]

Easiest way is to ask your new school for recommendations. You may want to consider a hook

[ctbeemer]

Easiest way is to ask your new school for recommendations. You may want to consider a hook

A hook?

[jdinasia]

Pardon... A house.. Auto fill error.

[ctbeemer]

I am looking for general information by the way but, should you have something specific, we're looking for rentals in Nakhon Si Thammart city.

[jdinasia]

The housing section should have a lot of info.

A house should be easy to find. I have always found housing by riding around near where I want to live.

With a house you pay the bills directly, with apartments you often get charged extra for electricity etc.

Asking at the school will often point you in the right direction.

Internet access will depend on where you live. People nearby will know what is best locally.

It helps if you speak or read Thai. Then cruise around where you want to be to find a place.

[Eddy B]

Find where there are village/housing complexes in your area and I am sure you will find places. The gates will usually a sign with a telephone number will be on it. They are usually 2/3 style town houses our 2/3 bungalows. Good luck

Once you find a place it is between you and the landowner about how much is the rent. Water/electric bills can either be paid to the owner or have them sent directly to your address. Just sit down, chat and work the deal out to the best of each of yourssatisfaction.

[mike324]

Like the previous poster said, ask the school and other foreign folks around the area.

Here is what I know based on the rates around Bangkok, water and electricity can vary a bit.

If its one of those 7-8 story apartments, there are two types.

One is when the building is wholly owned by a single company / owner.

Internet can vary, some available for free, others you pay a small fee

TV - basic cable (thai channels) is usually provided free of charge, type of service provider TRUE / CTH / etc depends on the apartment's setup.

You will pay electricity and water bill directly to the apartment

Water Rate - for some apartments you pay 100 baht fix for first 4 units, after that it is 20 baht/ unit

Electricity - Around 8 baht / unit

The other is when apartment room are owned by individual folks who wants to rent out.

You will pay electricity to electric company, and water bill directly to the apartment

Internet is usually not free

TV - you pick what ever cable service you want and have the company set it up.

[ctbeemer]

Oh, and we adopted a stray cat which does complicate things just a little.How do you "adopt" a stray cat,????

Just occupy an empty house, buddy--

.

'Adopted' wasn't meant literally. She slept on our welcome mat a few nights and we felt sorry for her - so we took her in and she became our pet.

[Scott]

Off-topic, troll and nasty posts removed. My apologies for the less than warm welcome from some of our members. Hopefully, they are saving their good will and helpfulness for the classroom, because it's certainly not showing up here.

Like you, I have been looking for a place to live since I will be moving to a new school, but one that has the same owner. Well, with the director and a host of school people looking, they have not been able to find anything for me close to the school. Fortunately for me the house I am in is owned by the school and I can remain here until a place is found.

Best of luck and welcome to the forum. Again, my apologies for the less than warm reception.

[WonnabeBiker]

Just rely on the grapevine. It works wonders around a school.

The last few times, I'd no SD to pay. But always suggest you transfer money into the LL's account.

(Had trouble in the past when I had handed over cash in advance and without a receipt).

Get a meter reading - or you might get hit with someone else's usage.

Shop around is all I can say - you might be amazed how low some LLs can go

[ctbeemer]

Off-topic, troll and nasty posts removed. My apologies for the less than warm welcome from some of our members. Hopefully, they are saving their good will and helpfulness for the classroom, because it's certainly not showing up here.

Like you, I have been looking for a place to live since I will be moving to a new school, but one that has the same owner. Well, with the director and a host of school people looking, they have not been able to find anything for me close to the school. Fortunately for me the house I am in is owned by the school and I can remain here until a place is found.

Best of luck and welcome to the forum. Again, my apologies for the less than warm reception.

Thank you for the message Scott.

Yeah I was pretty disappointed in that post. So uncalled for on a community porthole like this where we're supposed to help each other.

But on a positive note... I found good temporary accommodation which will allow me ample time to find something more permanent.

Thanks again for your reply.

[ctbeemer]

Off-topic, troll and nasty posts removed. My apologies for the less than warm welcome from some of our members. Hopefully, they are saving their good will and helpfulness for the classroom, because it's certainly not showing up here.

Like you, I have been looking for a place to live since I will be moving to a new school, but one that has the same owner. Well, with the director and a host of school people looking, they have not been able to find anything for me close to the school. Fortunately for me the house I am in is owned by the school and I can remain here until a place is found.

Best of luck and welcome to the forum. Again, my apologies for the less than warm reception.

Thank you for the message Scott.

Yeah I was pretty disappointed in that post. So uncalled for on a community porthole like this where we're supposed to help each other.

But on a positive note... I found good temporary accommodation which will allow me ample time to find something more permanent.

Thanks again for your reply.