Answered2 years ago
Is it illegal to rent a condo in Thailand for less than a month?
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 ?
Also security of entry to an apartment can be risky ?
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.
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Michael *******
OPHmmm 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
Thanks for the responses
Lynnette *******
@Michael ******
I've booked a condo for 3 weeks. And a 2 night stay elsewhere. All on booking dot com.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
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
In most of condo it is mentionned NO AIRBNB - NO SHORT TERM CONTRACT LESS THAN 6 MONTHS ARE ALLOWED
Nick ************
Ive rented a condo for two nights without an issue.
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!Nick ************
@Colin ******
just trying to reassure the OP.
Stan ***********
Thailand is one of the safest countries to visit
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.
Henrik *****
*******************************************************
Jo **********
NO
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
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
***
times the government rateLynnette *******
@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.
Colin *******
It is to stop them competing with the hotels - period, imo
Michael ********
@Colin ******
the main reason is fire exits safety equipment, insurance required by hotels.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.Michael ********
@Colin ******
Single rooms not single dwellings such as a condo.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?
Colin *******
@Michael *******
yep, your wife is probably right. All good, not going to argue with you. Go check the legislation please.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)
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.
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.
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 taxiDarren ******
@Radost *************************
don't be so stupid.Air BnB is illegal under 30 days
Check it out before U spout
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.
Jon ********
I find that hard to believe, I have rented for 1 week at time many times at the ViewTaly 6
Thomas *******
@Jon *******
That's my go to place in Pattaya. Everything you need near by or a baht bus ride away.Jon ********
@Thomas ******
great place for renting. I have stayed there maybe 4 or 5 times over the years with Cando propertiesLynnette *******
@Jon *******
me too. I've just been asked why I'm discussing it! Lol.Jon ********
@Lynnette ******
Sounds like the OP was given bogus informationJon ********
@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 wellLynnette *******
@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.Jon ********
@Lynnette ******
Furnished apts are illegal now for short term rentals?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.Andreas *********
@Jon *******
That's the difference between the law and how it is administered.
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
Damien ********
Police are cracking down on nothing
Risky entry ?
Stop worrying about nothing
Risky entry ?
Stop worrying about nothing
Darren ******
@Damien *******
send the bill to u then when people take Ur stupid advice.Michael ********
Yes it is illegal they said they were cracking down on it about ten years ago
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
****
onsite. Get into a well managed project and you’ll have no issues.
Heather *******
@Pete ******
in mine too but that doesn’t stop it. We have weekenders every week
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.
Many condos have signs up in the lobby or elevator stating this.
But then you can do an Airbnb rental through the Juristic office.
Lynnette *******
Where are you reading this? And why would security of entry be risky?
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.Lynnette *******
@Andreas ********
never had a problem. You'd have key and email confirmation.
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.
Jon *****
@Lynnette ******
Not in my condo, there are signs pointing out that rents under 1 month are illegal
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.Andreas *********
@Lynnette ******
When it comes to laws, there is nothing to discuss. But maybe it's a matter of intelligence.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.Andreas *********
@Lynnette ******
Sorry, you're wasting my time for nothing. Simply find out about the legal situation. Have a nice day.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.Andreas *********
@Lynnette ******
That's OK, but it's still officially banned. So why discuss.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.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.Activity
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