Ratchadaphisek Road, or more commonly known as Ratchada by locals in Bangkok and expats alike is in the northern part of Bangkok city center. More than 5 years ago this area of Bangkok was not popular with expats looking for condos or apartments in which to live.

In August 2005 the MRTA opened up the first underground train line in Thailand. This Bangkok subway system opened up the Ratchada area to expats and locals who wanted to live in the Ratchada area, and yet still continue to work in Bangkok city center. So since 2005 there has been a rush to open as many condos and apartments in this area of Bangkok.

The advantage of living in this area is that the cost of living is lower than living in an apartment in Sukhumvit or a Silom condo for example. So what are the costs and what is the quality on offer?

Well like with many districts in Bangkok, Ratchada has a range of apartments and condos. Due to the rarity of A grade condos in Ratchada the cost to rent them is not much different to those on Sukhumvit for a Grade B or condo. The cost would be about THB 500/sqm/month and so would be at a discount to such a property on Sukhumvit where prices can be around THB 700 – 800/sqm/month.

	One such condo in Ratchada is The Amanta Condominium which is located in the central area of Ratchada. This Bangkok condo boasts easy access to the Thailand Cultural Center MRT station and is within a short walk of The Esplanade shopping plaza. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/amanta-residence-1036
	There are 1 Bedroom, 2 Bedroom and 3 Bedroom condos in this Bangkok development, and the quality is of a high standard. The facilities in the development and the surrounding gardens are beautiful and make this Ratchada condo stand out as the best in the area. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/amanta-ratchada-bangkok-616

With an infinity style pool, large fitness studio and gymnasium and the landscaped garden areas this is a tropical paradise in the heart of Bangkok.

Of course most people want to live Ratchadaphisek to save money and so they want their condo in Ratchada to be less expensive and better value. However they still want quality and style and the convenience of the MRT stations.

	The Ivy Ratchada, which is located within a 5 mins walk of Sutthisan MRT station is such a condominium. Stylish, modern and bright the condos in this Bangkok property range from Studio – 2 Bedroom units. Close to Suthisan road. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/the-ivy-ratchada-1136
	Studios start at THB 10 000/month which makes them less than THB 300/sqm/month. One bedroom condo units in this Ratchada development are also great value at THB 15 000/month. And two bedroom units can rent for as little as THB 22 000/month for approximately 66sqm. http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/the-ivy–rachada-876

Many of the people who live around Ratchada are teachers working at one of the many International Schools in the area. These expats are often looking for a great value apartment in Ratchada, again with not only easy access to an MRT station, but also many convenient places to eat locally.

One such apartment block in the Ratchada area is Sitara Place, with well maintained and very clean Studio apartments. And within walking distance of the Rama 9 MRT station. Close to the Rama 9 junction and expressway, and a short walk from Fortune Town shopping centre.

The Studios in Sitara Place start at just THB 10 500/month and offer a large living space at 40sqm. Also with amenities such as UBC, WiFi and cooking appliances included these really are great value Bangkok apartments.

So you want to rent a condo or apartment in Bangkok. So how do you go about it? Who do you ask advice from? Who is offering you a good deal? Is the landlord trustworthy? Will you get your rental deposit back?

Lets answer the above questions one at a time with good and bad example of renting in Bangkok.

So how do you go about it?

So you have just arrived in Bangkok, or perhaps you have not even got here yet and are just looking at the Bangkok Real Estate market on the internet. Perhaps you have been to Bangkok before on holiday, or perhaps you have a friend already living in and renting in Bangkok to help you. Any of the above could apply to you, and hopefully this blog article will help explain or at least reassure you of the common practices for renting a condo or apartment in Bangkok.

First of all let’s explain the differences between a Bangkok condo and a Bangkok apartment, as the two are technically not the same. One can be bought, rented and leased out, whilst the latter can only be rented or leased out.

There are of course quite a few other technical and detailed differences, if you want to know more about which one appeals more to you and why then please go to the previous Bangkok Property Blog article which goes into far greater detail:

The Thailand Condo Vs the Thai Apartment – Confused?

Ok so assuming you have read the above article and that you are familiar with the differences between Bangkok condos and Bangkok apartments then let’s look at the payment terms of renting in Bangkok.

Fortunately payment terms for renting a condo in Bangkok or for to rent an apartment in Bangkok are the same and also standardized throughout the city. And they are:

1. 2 Months Deposit
2. 1 Month Advance

So a total of 3 months, so a simple example is that you want to rent a condo or rent an apartment in Bangkok for THB 20,000/month then you must give the landlord THB 60, 000 up front. Then after that you only have to pay another 11 months (on a year’s contract) or another 5 months on say a 6 months rental contract.

This is basically the how the financials work in the Bangkok rental market and people who tell you otherwise should be viewed with suspicion. I can guarantee that is you were to call 10 reputable Bangkok Real Estate Agents after reading this blog, then you would get 10 Bangkok Property Agencies telling you the exact some thing.

Who do you ask advice from?

Well of course we would be delighted if you asked advice from us here are EasyHomes Property Services Co., Ltd. We could certainly not only offer you free professional advice, but we could also help you find a property in Bangkok at no cost to yourself. In Bangkok property agents do not charge viewing fees and there is no cost to you the client at all, our fees are paid for in the form of commission from the landlords in Bangkok whom we work with.

Our advice in general though would be to approach a reputable, established Real Estate agency in Bangkok. We do not recommend that you try and arrange a deal thorough a well meaning friend or worse still or a freelance property broker here in Bangkok, as we have heard some nightmare stories. Please check out the blog below about such ‘rogue’ traders who pray on expats new to the Bangkok property market.

Rogue Traders in the Bangkok Real Estate Market

There are plenty of quality national or international Real Estate brokers in Bangkok who can deal with clients from budgets of THB 10,000 or over so there should be no need to contact free-lance property agents or unprofessional brokers in Bangkok.

Not only will an established Bangkok property broker be able to offer you more security and knowledge, but given their established relationships with landlords they should be able to negotiate you a better rental contract than you could get yourself.

Who is offering you a good deal?

Well of course like any deal or negotiation every deal is unique and there are so many variable to one that it is impossible for me to judge on individual deals in this blog. A Bangkok condo or apartment may have a better than average view of Bangkok city center, it may be in a particularly good condominium building or the amenities in the Bangkok apartment block in which unit you choose may be unsurpassed. What I can tell you though is that I have met dozens if not hundreds of people in Bangkok whom tell me they have the best Bangkok rental deal in town, only to find out where they live and on 99% of the occasions it turns out to be no better than an average deal. In a free market economy like the Bangkok Property Market, you usually end up getting what you pay for.

However you will enhance your chances of getting a good deal by using the knowledge, help and expertise of a Bangkok Real Estate agent.

For general rules of thumb though here is a rough guide to rental prices on Sukhumvit road, the most popular are in Bangkok.

For Condos for Rent on Sukhumvit:

1. Grade C or below – THB 200-300/sqm/mth
2. Grade B – THB 350 – 500/sqm/mth
3. Grade A – THB 600 – 800/sqm/mth

For apartments for rent on Sukhumvit:

1. Grade C or below – THB 150 – 250/sqm/mth
2. Grade B – THB 300 – 500/sqm/mth
3. Grade A – THB 500 – 750/sqm/mth

As you can see Bangkok apartments are generally cheaper than condos in Bangkok, but of course this is a very rough guide and so many variables such as age of buildings, maintenance levels, location, amenities & facilities will all come into play. As will of course the styling of the building and the units within.

And what of the Grading of these apartments in Bangkok or the condos highlighted above. Well mainly they will be more obvious upon visiting the property, but if you are not sure ask your real estate agent for advice.

Is the landlord trustworthy?

Well to be quite honest when you are meeting a person for the first time or renting a property it is difficult to know. There are of course smiling assassins in this world. However if you are working with a trusted Bangkok rental broker with an established company and reputation, then they should know the landlord/ landlady, and by definition should not be recommending them if they are not.

Will you get your rental deposit back?

This is in many ways the easiest to answer.

If you have taken good advice and have chosen an established and reputable property broker, then the answer should be an undeniable ‘Yes!’ as long as you stick to the terms of the rental agreement.

If you do not choose a reputable real estate agent, and or you do not stick to the terms of the rental agreement you have signed, then it is impossible to answer, and I would often urge on the side of caution and say ‘Don’t expect the rental deposit back!’

When looking for a condo in Nana or an apartment in lower Sukhumvit there are a wide range of choices. Not just an area for short-term residents looking for extended holidays, Nana also offers luxury condos and large apartments within easy walking distance of Nana BTS station.

So let’s have a look at what is on offer for those seeking a small condo or apartment in Nana. Located in Soi 4 of Sukhumvit, Nana Condo is an older but well maintained building within easy access of the BTS; a one bedroom condo can be rented at just THB 14 000/month for a 40sqm unit.

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/nana-condo-702

However if you are looking for something more in the way of a luxury apartment in Nana, then SM Grande is a great choice. Probably one of the most stylish buildings in the Nana area. This Nana apartment block is once again located in Sukhumvit soi 4 and is a Grade A standard buildings. Facilities are top class and abundant, with a large swimming pool, gymnasium, sauna and Jacuzzi, comfort is certainly art a premium. And the apartments themselves come with full kitchens, solid wooden floors and great furnishings.

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/sm-grand-nana–143

However apartments in SM Grande are not cheap, and Studio apartments start THB 20 000/month and one bedroom apartments start THB 35 000/month.

If you are looking for a condo that is more reasonably priced in the Nana district of Sukhumvit then look no further than the famous Suranjai Mansion, which is a well established condominium in Sukhumvit and popular with many expats who appreciate the varied facilities. Suranjai Mansion features a swimming pool, fitness rooms, gymnasium, games rooms, children’s play area and a range of shops and outlets, which makes the building a very convenient condo in Nana in which to live.

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/suranjai-mansion-301

With good sized one bedroom condo units at 65-70sqm for rent as low at THB 22 000/ month and two bedroom condos for at little as THB 25 000/month, this makes for convenient and practical living.

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/suranjai-mansion-302

Of course possibly the most famous building in the Nana area of Sukhumvit is Omni Tower, located in Sukhumvit Soi 4. This huge mixed use building houses not only a range of Bangkok apartments, but also serviced apartments and condos in Bangkok. At reasonable rates and such a varied selection of residential choices as well as a large range of facilities, this is truly one of the most popular condos and apartment choices in Sukhumvit.

Omni Tower Studios start at THB 20 000/month, whilst the larger Studio Deluxe rooms at approx 65sqm are just THB 25 000/month.

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/omni-tower-nana–106

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/omni-tower-nana–105

Finally if you are insisting on a brand new luxury condo in Nana, then The Prime 11 is just the condominium building you should be looking at. With these one bedroom Nana condos starting at THB 30 000/month, this Grade A building offers a fantastic array of facilities for the more discerning Bangkok condo resident.

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/prime-11–brand-new-1186

Larger sized one bedroom condo units at the Prime 11 in Nana are 57sqm and are priced at THB 45 000/month, which reflects the luxury of the condo.

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/the-prime-11-nana-1182

So living in a Nana condo or an apartment in Nana can be not only exciting living near all the hustle and bustle of this pulsating district, but can also be relaxing, comfortable and luxurious if you are in the correct Bangkok condo or apartment in Nana.

If you haven’t head On Nut the last stop on the Bangkok BTS Sukhumvit Line, has recently experienced a major revival. With 6 new BTS stations nearing completion on the Sukhumvit Line spreading as far as Bang Na, On Nut is set to become a new centre of East Bangkok.

With a Tesco-Lotus in On Nut area, a Carrefour on On Nut road, Sukhumvit soi 77, and shops, highway links and of course the BTS On Nut station, condos have been developed in vigor to satisfy the growing demand of those who want to live on Sukhumvit or close to the BTS in Bangkok.

So what’s on offer, and why has this district of Bangkok become so popular?

Well let’s start with price, Bangkok rental prices as people who live in Bangkok know can be at their highest along Sukhumvit. For example mid-Sukhumvit can easily demand THB 500/sqm/month and some Grade A rated Bangkok condos and Bangkok apartments can be even more. However in On Nut many of the Bangkok condos and Bangkok apartments on offer have retained sensible prices and approx THB 250-300sqm/month is a regular price in this area.

Looking at Studio condos and Studio apartments in On Nut, we can see two great examples of why living in On Nut offers residents both convenience and value for money, as well as quality.

Green Bells is within a 5 minute walk of the On Nut BTS station and offers residents a swimming pool, and quality finishes in this apartment. A brand new Bangkok apartment, residents can be in central Sukhumvit in just 10 mins.

With prices starting at just THB 9 000/month for a Studio apartment, this really is good value for quality on Sukhumvit road.

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/green-bells-1106

My Condo, is a Bangkok condo that was completed at the end of 2009. There are two My Condo condominium buildings in On Nut. One is located in Sukhumvit soi 52, and the other close by in Sukuhumvit soi 81.

These two buildings are identical in every way, in terms of lay-out, units and pricing. And the value is just as good as Green Bells. With Studios starting at THB 9 500/month, My Condo 52 and My Condo 81 offer residents a lobby, car parking, 24 Hour security and a gymnasium fitness room.

If you are looking for something larger than a Studio, but still want to pay under or around THB 20 000/month, then one again On Nut can offer some great Bangkok condo and Bangkok apartment deals. Here are two below:

The Roof Garden is a refurbished condo in Bangkok that can offer a potential resident great value for money considering the space and quality on offer for such a low price. In central Sukhumvit it is difficult to get a condo unit of over 40sqm for THB 20 000/month or under, but at The Roof Garden, one bedroom condos start at just THB 16 000/month and can offer the resident up to 60sqm in stylish chic modern condo unit. With a full kitchen area with an oven and stove, a full living room and balcony. Also a major plus for Japanese clients is the inclusion of a bath-tub in the en-suite bathrooms, a real rarity in modern Bangkok condos.

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/roof-garden-1007

Perhaps at even better value is the apartment units at Methavanont Manor, an On Nut apartment block located within a 10 minute walk of the On Nut BTS station. A one bedroom in this traditionally designed, but very new apartment block will start at just THB 15 000/month and yet will still be 50sqm in size, ample room for a couple or even small family.

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/mathevanont-manor-81

Finally are you looking for a two bedroom condo in On Nut?, then these two examples will hopefully catch your eye.

The newly built S-Condo is typical of the modern style and look of new condos in Bangkok that have opened in the last 5 years. Practical, well designed with a swimming pool and gymnasium on the roof. For just THB 25 000/month these 2 bedroom units can offer two equal sized bedrooms, two bathrooms and a soacious living room. All incorporate into a 75sqm condo unit.

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/s-condo-854

And lastly, but not leastly The Room On Nut is another quality low-rise Bangkok condominium within a 5 minute walk of On Nut BTS station. These 58sqm units are small, but well designed with stylish fixture and fittings.

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/the-room-sukhumvit-79-535

Priced between THB 25 000~30 000/month to rent, these are slightly more expensive than other Condos and apartments in On Nut, but the cost is justified by the location, and the proximity to the On Nut Sky Train station.

For families looking to live in a central Bangkok Condo or apartment there are many great offers.

When expats stationed in Thailand’s capital first are looking for an attractive Bangkok Property, they will often look for a House in Bangkok or Town House, as this has been the type of property they have been living in the in the West. However Bangkok is quite different to cities such as London, New York or Paris, and an apartment in Bangkok or condo will offer so much more.

We often have many clients unfamiliar with Bangkok calling us from countries such as USA, UK, Australia, Japan and Germany looking for guidance about renting in Bangkok. They often want to live in an area close to their work, such as Silom or Sathorn close to Bangkok’s Central Business District. Or they want to live in Sukhumvit which is the most popular international zone in Bangkok, and is the area with the most choice of Bangkok apartments or condos in Bangkok.

Of course they all want convenience and access to Western culture or culture they are familiar with. Also getting access to comfort food such as Hamburgers, Steaks, Pasta or Pizzas, or in case of Japanese clients Sushi or Sashimi is important. So they need to know the property in Bangkok they are going to rent will offer easy access to these comforts.

But of course many expats are often in need to of facilities and services for their children and families as well. So that is why they are looking for a House in Bangkok or a good sized Town House in Bangkok to accommodate their children’s needs. If your families have been used to a large property to live in then understandable that one will not want this position to be compromised.

However what if moving into a Bangkok Apartment can in fact improve your families’ living standards? In Bangkok there are many great apartments offering families the ideal solution to living in a foreign country. They allow children to meet play-mates, wives and girlfriends to meet like minded people and for the whole family to live in a safe environment.

But how can an apartment in Bangkok offer all this? Well with host of facilities like Swimming Pools, Fitness Centers, Racquet Courts, and access to shops and cafes then these a Bangkok apartment such as the one below can tick so many boxes.

Baan Jamjuree offers expat families in Bangkok 5 Star facilities at great value costs. A 2 bedroom apartment in Baan Jamjuree can start at only THB 77 000/month, that is just a little over US$ 2 000/month.

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/baan-jamjuree-420

With Tennis Courts, Basket Ball Courts, Large Swimming Pool, Gymnasium, Fitneess Studio and a fantastic Kids Play Room, this Bangkok Apartment block really does have it all.

And with great access to International Schools in the Sukhumvit area, as well as access to the BTS and MRT within a 10 minute walk, then it could not be easier.

However it is not convenient for everyone to live in Sukhumvit and some people want to live in the Sathorn area of Bangkok near the CBD. And if this is your preference then the Bangkok Garden Condo or Bangkok Garden Apartments, situates off Narathiwat Road are ideal.

With Tennis Courts, Basket Ball Courts, 2 large swimming pools, Five-a-side football pitches, large garden, gymnasiums, and access to International schools within a 5 minute this is the ideal solution for expat families in Bangkok.

Bangkok Garden Condo

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/bangkok-garden-condo-42

Bangkok Garden Apartment

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/bangkok-garden-apt-59

We have many other Bangkok apartments that are suitable for families, and these can all improve the quality of life for you and your family. With security issues disappearing, and the quality of facilities unsurpassed, as is value for money.

Whether your budget is THB 15 000/month (US$ 400) or you can afford 6 Star treatment for your family, here at EasyHomes we can accommodate your Bangkok Property needs.

And if it is a Bangkok condominium that interests you then again we can be of service. Whether you want to be in Sukhumvit, Sathorn, Silom or even in the Siam Square area of Bangkok as with the property below. We can offer you what you need.

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/the-new-york-328