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.

Bangkok expats know that there are 3 main areas where Westerners, Japanese people and other nationalities making their home in Bangkok congregate and they are Silom, Sukhumvit and Sathorn.

These three areas are traditionally the most popular international areas and therefore have been the Bangkok districts that have seen the greatest number of Bangkok condos and Bangkok apartments on the market.

Most expats have also demanded the convenience of having their condo or apartments within close proximity to an international standard hospital in Bangkok such as Samitivej on soi 49 of Sukhumvit, or Bangkok Hospital on Petchburi Road and shopping plazas such at The Emporium and Siam Paragon, two of the best shopping malls in Thailand.

However with the city center of Bangkok expanding some expats in the last 3-4 years have looked for an alternative and have found it in Ari, the northerly district of Bangkok close to Sanam Pao and Saphan Kwai districts. Whilst still on the BTS Sky-Train therefore affording residents the convenience of the Bangkok metro system, and therefore has become a great place to rent in Bangkok.

Ari district is a high-end desirable district of Bangkok with an arty and slightly bohemian feel, and so attracts Bangkok expats whom are artistic and perhaps connected with the media industries in Bangkok.

Bangkok property developers have noticed this surge to Ari and have obliged by building some iconic and high-quality condos in Ari that have style and quality.

Taking a look at some of the best condos that have drawn people to Ari we will start with Villa Rachakhru, built by TCC Capitalland and located in Soi Rachakhru, a low-rise and chic condominium building with fewer than 80 units, really gives this condo building a feeling of intimacy.

With one bedroom, two bedroom and three bedroom units, Villa Rachakhru caters for a large section of the market. Ranging from THB 25 000/month for a 55sqm rental unit, these are spacious and well laid-out with floor to ceiling windows in the main room and bedrooms.

One Bedroom Condo at Vila Rachakhru, Ari

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/villa-rajakhru-ari–152

The two bedroom units are equally well designed and are found on the corners of the buildings so the master bedroom can enjoy a wrap around window design, giving residents a great view of the district of Ari. Making Villa Rachakhru trulu one of the best designed condos in Bangkok within the last 5 years.

Two Bedroom Condo a Villa Rachakhru, Ari

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/villa-rajakhru-ari–153

Also on the top floor of the 8 storey condominium building there are 3 bedroom units with high-ceilings, up to 5m high in some areas.

Three Bedroom Unit in Villa Rachakhru, Ari

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/villa-rajakhru-ari–154

Probably the most obvious condominium building in the Ari are of Bangkok is Noble Lite, which is within 5 mins walk of the Ari BTS station, making this condominium building not just attractive, but also practical.

At present this is the only modern high-rise structure in Ari and so those who are renting units in the high-floors are afforded breathtaking views of the northern Bangkok districts.

Noble Lite has Studios through to 3 bedroom units, and each and every unit has a bathtub in the bathroom, which is a pleasant addition to the Studio unit.

Studio Condo at Noble Lite, Ari

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/noble-lite-246

One bedroom condos at Noble Lite are also highly desirable, with large windows, high floors and great views, at just THB 22 000 Baht/month these are great value.

One Bedroom Condo at Noble Lite, Ari

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/noble-lite-706

Finally a forgotten gem in Ari is often Centric Place Ari, a building often overshadowed by its more prominent cousin Centric Scene, this tranquil Bangkok condo offers residents a personal and relaxed environment.

With the standard high-end facilities found in all the above Bangkok condos mentioned here, Centric Place Ari has as a swimming pool, gymnasium, fitness room, car parking, security and sauna.

Offering Studio condos up to three bedroom condos Centric Place covers a large part of the Bangkok property market.

Studio Condo at Centric Place, Ari

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/centric-place-113

One Bedroom Unit at Centric Place Ari

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/centric-place-114

Two Bedroom Unit at Centric Place Ari

http://www.easyhomes.tv/property/centric-place-1029

So as can be seen, for those wanting to live away from Sukhumvit, Silom and Sathorn, there is indeed a realistic and attractive alternative, and that alternative in Bangkok district of Ari.