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Is it legal for my friend to stay in my condo for a month or two without any issues?
Short Term StaysCondo Rental LawsThai Immigration RegulationsTM30 RequirementsExpat Living in ThailandNon-Commercial Stays
Jul 26, 2025
9 months ago
Lynnette *******
ORIGINAL POSTEREverything else question. A friend is staying in my condo for a month or maybe two, so checking that's within the 'law' someone mentioned, on short term stays (or should I ask the office). 🤷
TLDR : Answer Summary
It is generally acceptable for a friend to stay in your condo in Thailand for a month or two without it being considered a short-term rental, provided no accommodation fees are exchanged. The main legal concern revolves around short-term rentals, which are regulated and often illegal unless the property has the appropriate hotel license. If your friend is a foreigner, you will need to file a TM30 form. Long-term rentals, defined as stays longer than a month, are typically allowed, but there may be specific rules depending on the building management.
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Lynnette *******
ORIGINAL POSTERSo rentals of 1 month or longer are ok? The DTV market is 6 months stay for some people so it might appeal to someone, and that might be how it'll get rented out later on.
Steve *******
Anyone can stay in your condo. What you've heard is about short term RENTALS, as in if your friend rents the place from you.
The owner has to do a TM30 for all foreigners staying in the condo.
The owner has to do a TM30 for all foreigners staying in the condo.
Lynnette *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steve ******
if they decide to stay longer than a month they would pay something. They are wanting to check out Phuket as a place to live. My condo is small but has nice big balcony and right by boat avenue.Steve *******
@Lynnette ******
30 days or more isn't "short term", so if they rent it longer than that, it's legal.Lynnette *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steve ******
I thought so. But my daughter in law thought a month ( or 3 or 3 ) might not be allowed.Reply to
Lynnette *******
Reply
Ralph *******
No issue if it’s not a commercial transaction. But, you still need to file a TM30 if your friend is a foreigner.
Lynnette *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ralph ******
TM30 isn't a problem.Ralph *******
@Lynnette ******
But it is a requirement.Lynnette *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ralph ******
yes, I know, and as I said it's not a problem.Reply to
Lynnette *******
Reply
Chuck **********
Not allowed to rent out condos! Check Thai law!
Chuck **********
Check out links, I live in Thailand and people do rent out condos but it Is against the law for short term.
Lynnette *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Chuck *********
I've had a home in Phuket for 12 years. I've rented it out for 6 months to a year, for the past few years, with no problem. I never mentioned short term rentals. But your reply said renting condos was illegal which apparently it isn't.Reply to
Lynnette *******
Reply
Lynnette *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Chuck *********
that's interesting. So you're saying not one condo is rented out for 6 months or a year anywhere in Thailand? That means people are only in hotels or villas? That's a lot of expats, DTV people and retirees who's choice is only villas or hotels. Yet my condo building has quite a few long term renters. 🤷Chuck **********
@Lynnette ******
government websiteMichael ********
@Chuck *********
for less than one month renting is not allowed, your answers are confusing. As its a friend staying as she says in post its not a commercial transaction.Reply to
Michael ********
Reply
Chuck **********
@Lynnette ******
long term probably but the law says no, go to thaigov.com.Lynnette *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Chuck *********
you said no condo could be rented out. And I didn't ask about short term rental, but a friend coming for a month or longer stay. Thanks for the link.Reply to
Lynnette *******
Reply
Ralph *******
@Chuck *********
Unless you have the necessary licences.Chuck **********
@Ralph ******
nope!Ralph *******
@Chuck *********
Yes. Need a hotel licence.Reply to
Ralph *******
Reply
Steven ***************
If you aren't recieving any money regarded as "accomodation fees" it's fine.
Been a big issue at my building as dozens of condos here are owned by investors who can't sell or their rent request is too high. So the place has become a hotel recently. Banned here by law in Our building but management seems to turn a" blind eye" when brown envelopes arrivé with guests.
Been a big issue at my building as dozens of condos here are owned by investors who can't sell or their rent request is too high. So the place has become a hotel recently. Banned here by law in Our building but management seems to turn a" blind eye" when brown envelopes arrivé with guests.
Lynnette *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steven **************
I don't want to do short term lets. When he leaves I'll look at a long term rental.Reply to
Lynnette *******
Reply
Pete *******
Allowing a friend to stay is perfectly fine. It’s short term rentals that are illegal.
Stuart *********
Perfectly fine if they’re staying a month or so. The hotel act allows long term stays in non registered properties.
It’s certain short term stays that fall foul of that law.
It’s certain short term stays that fall foul of that law.
Lynnette *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
someone's just posted that NO condo can be rented out, ever, it's against the law. That would be a nightmare for DTV folk and retirees etc who prefer a condo to villa or hotel.Stuart *********
@Lynnette ******
no idea where they get that info from.Lynnette *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
ok. I'll carry on and let my friend stay for a month minimum.Reply to
Lynnette *******
Reply
Lynnette *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
that's what I thought. My family friend wants at least a month.Bunny *****
@Lynnette ******
are you charging your friend? If no then it is fine.Reply to
Bunny *****
Reply
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