6-month lets - hidden costs?

[Artful Dodger]

Hi,

 

I am looking to rent a place in CM for 6 months next year, and all being well the following few years. It's easy enough to find ads for places, so I can see the basic rent they are asking - but what other charges should I be expecting? I am guessing there must be some kind of local taxes, then utility bills? Can anyone help me put a rough figure on these? What I have in mind is a 1 bed apartment near the river but within walking distance of the Ta Phae gate.

 

TIA

 

 

[sanemax]

Depends on how much you use : Water, 50-100 Baht per month , electric, 300 Baht a month , a lot more if you use air con . 

   No other fees

How much rent are you looking to pay per month ?

[Artful Dodger]

Thanks. I don't know about the rent TBH. 1 beds within a mile of the night market range from 10k to 50k per month, from what I've seen. Some of the ones down near 10k look just fine, but it's hard to tell on the internet. Also I don't know how negotiable those prices are. Hopefully I will be over around Christmas time so will be able to get a better idea.

[davehowden]

Internet say 600/ month. ?

 

Gas for cooking ?

 

Deposit which may not be returned ?

 

Local taxes - no.

[NancyL]

Be aware of how electricity is charged.  There is a difference between the government rate and what many buildings charge.  If you're here during a warm time of year, you may find your electricity charges due to aircon could be as high as your rent if your building charges double the gov't rate -- common with many buildings.

[Bill97]

The hidden costs are not all monetary. Noisy neighbors, construction noise and refuse, outside noise, poor maintenance ....what is the cost of nuisance?

[sanemax]

Best off arriving and walking around an area and asking in building complexes whether they have any available rooms . Some Condos only do leases by the year .

   Condo/hotels are also available, they generally charge a 1/3rd  of the nightly price, if you stay for a month +

[Lizard2010]

It will all depend on who is looking after the Condo

At my Condo i originally rented from the management

The Electricity cost was 8 baht per Unit

Water was 30 baht for meter use 50 Baht per unit 1 cubic meter or 1000 litres

The A/C Unit was old sucked up a 700 baht bill in 1 week

As was Old Style A/C Unit

 

A Tip

Take photos of the Electric and Water Meters

That way they will not be  over Charged

 

Now i rent direct from the unit owner Govt rate for Electricity

With a New A/C Unit

 

[Artful Dodger]

3 hours ago, NancyL said:

Be aware of how electricity is charged.  There is a difference between the government rate and what many buildings charge.  If you're here during a warm time of year, you may find your electricity charges due to aircon could be as high as your rent if your building charges double the gov't rate -- common with many buildings.

Jeez. I would be there September to March, most probably.

 

Sanemax did say the electricity would be a lot more if I used aircon (which I would, for sure).

 

It would only be a 1-bed though - say it is a building that charges double - is 2k per month going to cover it?

 

There are places on airbnb - higher basic price, but no extras and no problems over deposits etc. Just trying to figure out if that is a better option.

[Artful Dodger]

4 minutes ago, Lizard2010 said:

It will all depend on who is looking after the Condo

At my Condo i originally rented from the management

The Electricity cost was 8 baht per Unit

Water was 30 baht for meter use 50 Baht per unit 1 cubic meter or 1000 litres

The A/C Unit was old sucked up a 700 baht bill in 1 week

As was Old Style A/C Unit

 

A Tip

Take photos of the Electric and Water Meters

That way they will not be  over Charged

 

Now i rent direct from the unit owner Govt rate for Electricity

With a New A/C Unit

 

Thanks for this info, hadn't read it when I posted just now.

[sanemax]

Get a condo in the shade , then you wouldnt use A/C as much, or even at all

My Condo doesnt get direct sunlight and I never use A/C .