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Is it illegal to rent a condo in Thailand for less than a month?

ThailandCondo RentalsShort Term RentalsAirbnbVisa RegulationsImmigrationReal EstateRental Laws
May 3, 2024
5 months ago
Michael *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Read on a post on another group that it's illegal to rent a condo for less than a month and the police are cracking down on it . Anyone know if it's true ?

Also security of entry to an apartment can be risky ?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The legality of short-term rentals in Thailand, specifically for condos, has been a contentious issue. It is generally stated that renting out a condo for less than a month is illegal, a point emphasized by various commenters who noted that many condo boards prohibit such practices, posting warnings in lobbies. However, enforcement appears to be inconsistent, with some individuals claiming to have successfully rented condos for short periods without encountering issues. This topic's complexity arises from the lack of enforcement of existing laws, resulting in a 'grey area' where many condo owners and renters operate outside the strict legal framework. Overall, while renting condos for less than a month is officially illegal, many expats and locals seem to navigate around these restrictions without significant consequences.
Michael *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hmmm so I'm now wondering if it's legal to book one of the many apartments on booking.com for a week . I've only stayed in hotels before in Thailand and Vietnam.

Thanks for the responses
5 months ago
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Lynnette *******
@Michael ******
 I've booked a condo for 3 weeks. And a 2 night stay elsewhere. All on booking dot com.
5 months ago
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Andreas *********
@Michael ******
 I had just been to Pattaya, but according to the information I no longer felt comfortable in the houses. These are private providers who offer them via this platform, regardless of whether they are legal or not
5 months ago
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Andreas *********
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Chris *******
Yes true.. few years ago.. the immigation police came to inspect few condo project.. checked all contract of foreigners tenant.. and visa..if the contract was less than 1 month.. the owner got a fine, foreigners passport was kept by immigration..

In most of condo it is mentionned NO AIRBNB - NO SHORT TERM CONTRACT LESS THAN 6 MONTHS ARE ALLOWED
5 months ago
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Nick ************
Ive rented a condo for two nights without an issue.
5 months ago
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Colin *******
@Nick ***********
 Nick,please read the comments. No one is saying it does not happen, just the same as driving down the wrong way on a dual carriageway!
5 months ago
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Nick ************
@Colin ******
 just trying to reassure the OP.
5 months ago
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Nick ************
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Stan ***********
Thailand is one of the safest countries to visit
5 months ago
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Jennifer ******
Air BnB for condos is illegal in my home country too. Minimum is 6 months rent, same as Thailand. The owner will get into trouble if found out or someone decides to report.
5 months ago
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Henrik *****
*******************************************************
5 months ago
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Jo **********
NO
5 months ago
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Eoin *******
Cut out the nonsense middle man, Airbnb Agoda bookings etc

Go direct to whomever is renting, and necogiate the crap out of them, get all inclusive, utilities included, or they will take you over the coal's on massive mark ups for both electric and power, as they usually charge 2
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times the government rate
5 months ago
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Lynnette *******
@Eoin ******
 we have never overcharged for electric and water. It's charged at govt rate. Meter is read on arrival and exit. You're assuming everyone's a crook which is not true.
5 months ago
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Lynnette *******
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Manuel *********
In my condo
5 months ago
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Colin *******
It is to stop them competing with the hotels - period, imo
5 months ago
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Michael ********
@Colin ******
 the main reason is fire exits safety equipment, insurance required by hotels.
5 months ago
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Colin *******
@Michael *******
 maybe, but in my experience both have fire exits and safety equipment. Both have to have public liability insurance, and hotels should have an extra level for pets goods. But that is not the reason - it is legislated to protect the hotel industry.
5 months ago
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Michael ********
@Colin ******
 My Sons rented condo through air bnb in same places as ours no fire extinguisher, no display of public liability like i have seen overseas.

Just talked about it with my wife who used to be heavily involved in hotel industry when air bnb (agoda travpac and more)

She does not think its to protect hotels, its just legislation here almost impossible for single dwelling to get a hotel license (Singapore requires this also i believe for air bnbs but they have made it easier. Thailands bogged down in paperwork)
5 months ago
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Colin *******
Thailand is full of single hotels. You may want to check back with your wife. Is she Thai or has she spent years in Thailand?
5 months ago
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Colin *******
@Michael *******
 yep, your wife is probably right. All good, not going to argue with you. Go check the legislation please.
5 months ago
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Michael ********
@Colin ******
 Single rooms not single dwellings such as a condo.
5 months ago
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Michael ********
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Darren ******
Be careful if Ur told , yeah it's fine , cos it will be YOU who pays any fines not the rental agent.

They try to get round it by U sign for 30 day rental and stay say 10 days booking.

30 days covered any police asking questions and a second contract gives U Ur 10 days.

But if the police tighten the pressure on the agent Ur first in line to get the punishment as an illegal occupant.
5 months ago
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Radost **************************
@Darren *****
 you are all such idiots. If any would be punished it would be the condo owner, never a tenant. A tenant not have to check the status of a accommodation. Airbnb ist the main sponsor of TAT. Nothing is illegal. The only thing is that a building is not certified for short term rental, bc not fullfilling all the requirements. It's like you using a private car as a taxi
5 months ago
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Darren ******
@Radost *************************
 don't be so stupid.

Air BnB is illegal under 30 days

Check it out before U spout
5 months ago
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Darren ******
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Rok ********
Short term rental (less than a month) is illegal in Thailand and has always been but everybody including the condo owners are paying lip service to it even when installing the shiny threatening notices in their lobbies; we all know without short term rentals the already oversupllied condo market would collapse. Building even more condos is fuelled by short term demand (yet full legalisation would never be allowed by the hotel association lobby). My understanding of the status quo … all is a grey area, nothing black and white.
5 months ago
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Michael ********
5 months ago
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Jon ********
I find that hard to believe, I have rented for 1 week at time many times at the ViewTaly 6
5 months ago
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Thomas *******
@Jon *******
 That's my go to place in Pattaya. Everything you need near by or a baht bus ride away.
5 months ago
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Jon ********
@Thomas ******
 great place for renting. I have stayed there maybe 4 or 5 times over the years with Cando properties
5 months ago
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Jon ********
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Lynnette *******
@Jon *******
 me too. I've just been asked why I'm discussing it! Lol.
5 months ago
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Jon ********
@Lynnette ******
 Sounds like the OP was given bogus information
5 months ago
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Lynnette *******
@Jon *******
 it's officially illegal but it's not enforced and so long as it's agreed by owner and the condos office, there is usually no problem. I rent my condo out, and security know who stays. Any issue/ problem caused is dealt with by my manager. I am renting a different condo for myself next week, for 26 days.
5 months ago
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Jon ********
@Lynnette ******
 Furnished apts are illegal now for short term rentals?
5 months ago
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Lynnette *******
@Jon *******
 there's a law been around a while. . But so far as I'm aware it's not enforced. I've booked via booking dot Com for 2 nights and 26 nights. There are a lot of things that aren't enforced.
5 months ago
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Jon ********
@Lynnette ******
 I don’t believe it as it would blow up the entire furnished Condominium market and 1,000s of condo owners that work with property managers would be not be able to rent their properties and the property managers would be crushed as well
5 months ago
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Jon ********
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Andreas *********
@Jon *******
 That's the difference between the law and how it is administered.
5 months ago
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Andreas *********
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Peter *******
Living in a condo with long term owners and renter's is much better so the Juristic is doing their job, less than 30 days not allowed
5 months ago
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Damien ********
Police are cracking down on nothing

Risky entry ?

Stop worrying about nothing
5 months ago
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Darren ******
@Damien *******
 send the bill to u then when people take Ur stupid advice.
5 months ago
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Darren ******
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Michael ********
Yes it is illegal they said they were cracking down on it about ten years ago
5 months ago
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Pete *******
Condo projects are not hotels and are not licensed as such so yes it is illegal for the owner to rent short term (Air BnB style). In my project there are signs everywhere saying short term let’s are forbidden. Security is
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onsite. Get into a well managed project and you’ll have no issues.
5 months ago
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Heather *******
@Pete ******
 in mine too but that doesn’t stop it. We have weekenders every week
5 months ago
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Heather *******
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Steve **********
Short term rentals like Airbnb have always been illegal.

Many condos have signs up in the lobby or elevator stating this.

But then you can do an Airbnb rental through the Juristic office.
5 months ago
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Lynnette *******
Where are you reading this? And why would security of entry be risky?
5 months ago
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Andreas *********
@Lynnette ******
 Because the security in the buildings with hundreds of apartments doesn't know whether you are a tenant or an owner. Especially not how long you rented for.
5 months ago
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Lynnette *******
@Andreas ********
 never had a problem. You'd have key and email confirmation.
5 months ago
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Andreas *********
@Lynnette ******
 I did that too, even booked everything through booking. But the landlord is a private individual and the buildings belong to various companies. That's why you only need to rent with at least one Month legal. I think it's also specifically about the peace and quiet of the normal owners, to prevent short-term tenants from reducing the quality of living with parties etc. That's why the legal regulations are posted in all buildings. My landlord also said if you have any problems, please contact us directly Contact us and please go to the administration office in the building. If asked, you should say you rented for a month. So as described, short-term renters are illegal.
5 months ago
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Andy ********
@Andreas ********
 Some Condos (but not all) don't allow air b'n'b type rentals for short periods as in the past people rent them for parties which are noisy fir other residents. Its not a legal thing its just a rule of that partucular Condo. Many are still available to rent short term.
5 months ago
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Lynnette *******
@Andreas ********
 I'm an owner. And I also rent from other owners sometimes. Not had a problem at all. I'm about to stay in a condo for 25 days.
5 months ago
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Andreas *********
@Lynnette ******
 That's OK, but it's still officially banned. So why discuss.
5 months ago
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Lynnette *******
@Andreas ********
 why should it not be discussed? The point is you can still rent for less than a month, and I'm pointing out that it's possible.
5 months ago
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Jon *****
@Lynnette ******
 Not in my condo, there are signs pointing out that rents under 1 month are illegal
5 months ago
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Andreas *********
@Lynnette ******
 Sorry, you're wasting my time for nothing. Simply find out about the legal situation. Have a nice day.
5 months ago
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Lynnette *******
@Andreas ********
 Lol. You're the one wasting time. It's a page to discuss and I'm not being told by you that I must not.
5 months ago
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Carsten ************
@Lynnette ******
 what's your difficulty in understanding the word "illegal "? There exists a so called "condominium act". For renting out less than a month you need a Hotel licence. Condominiums aren't a Hotel, except of a small number of Condotels.
5 months ago
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Andreas *********
@Lynnette ******
 When it comes to laws, there is nothing to discuss. But maybe it's a matter of intelligence.
5 months ago
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Andreas *********
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