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Should I buy or rent a condo in Thailand as a UK expat on a DTV Visa?
DTV VisaUK expatsBuying property in ThailandRenting property in ThailandPros and cons of renting vs buyingProperty investmentCondo purchaseThai real estate market
Oct 12, 2025
7 months ago
Sarah *****
ORIGINAL POSTERAnyone purchased a condo as an uk expat?
Looking at the DTV Visa for me and my family and property renting or buying in Thailand? Weighing up the pros/cons to both renting/buying.
We won't be able to work in Thailand on that visa, our income will be from renting our property out in the uk.
EDIT....THANKYOU SO MUCH for all your comments it means alot.
Were so ready to leave the uk but just want to do it as best as we can for us and our children.
Keep your eyes peeled for more questions from me soon 😊
Looking at the DTV Visa for me and my family and property renting or buying in Thailand? Weighing up the pros/cons to both renting/buying.
We won't be able to work in Thailand on that visa, our income will be from renting our property out in the uk.
EDIT....THANKYOU SO MUCH for all your comments it means alot.
Were so ready to leave the uk but just want to do it as best as we can for us and our children.
Keep your eyes peeled for more questions from me soon 😊
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around whether UK expats should rent or buy a condo in Thailand, particularly those on a DTV Visa. Participants share various experiences and insights, with many advising against buying due to potential issues such as noisy neighbors and high maintenance fees. Some emphasize the flexibility and lower risk of renting, while a few do suggest buying for long-term stays, highlighting the importance of finding the right area before making a purchase.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Mic *****
Why buy, more things are breaking in Thailand then being fixed
Paul *******
I bought a condo within 5 months. I didn’t like the landlords being in control.
James **********
Rent don’t buy
Bob **********
Don’t buy
Paul ********
I rented here for a year then found where I needed to be.
New condos are small and have higher maintenance fees. Find the area you need before you buy. Don’t be surprised about how long it takes you to purchase as it’s about 2 weeks process. Don’t let landlord take 2 months deposit as you most probably not going to get it back. Need any more advice PM me. 🙏
New condos are small and have higher maintenance fees. Find the area you need before you buy. Don’t be surprised about how long it takes you to purchase as it’s about 2 weeks process. Don’t let landlord take 2 months deposit as you most probably not going to get it back. Need any more advice PM me. 🙏
Sarah *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Paul *******
thank you paul thats a great helpReply to
Sarah *****
Reply
Michael *******
Investment nothing overseas
Travel light
Enjoy yourself
Travel light
Enjoy yourself
Thomas ***********
Stupid idea
Michael ********
Yes if you are serious about staying long term saves on rent, as buy to rent properties Condos in Bangkok fairly low ROI.
Todd *********
@Michael *******
then move to Phuket, Samui where the market is fast and ROI is better than your home countryMichael ********
@Todd ********
yes i know returns in other parts of country as well as with anything did lots of research. The ones we do simple and easy to renovate and maintain. No overheads and original investment back in 12 to 13 yearsMichael ********
@Todd ********
My wife work is based bangkok so we bought condo, but we bought places in samat sakorn just next province (where we have house) and we get an 8 % return. But having condo for us just saving money on rent in 8 years would have paid close to a million bahtReply to
Michael ********
Reply
Steve ***************
I arrived in Thailand back in 2017. I rent and I am glad that I didn't buy. I am on my fifth rental condo. While I have always loved each condo, there came a point where I didn't? It has always been because of the same reason. Noisy neighbours moving in. Three were just inconsiderate, the other, a young family with a newborn baby. Of course, in their instance, the crying baby was beyond their control, but still, it caused me sleep disruption every night. Hence my current, fifth apartment in Jomtien.
Betty *********
@Steve **************
exactly why I never bought a condo. Noise is a huge problem, poor quality building , with lack of upkeep. One place I had in jomtien, was sitting watching TV and suddenly all the shelves collapsed.winfows wouldn't open and close properly. Lots have really smelly drains.Steve ***************
@Betty ********
sorry to learn that you have had such issues. I can't say that I have ever blamed the construction of the condo buildings as a factor in the noise issues that I have experienced. These are the condos where I have lived: View Talay 2B. Laguna Beach 2. Seven Seas Cote d'Azure. Lumpini Park Beach. I prefer not to disclose my current condo location, but it is around the southern end of Jomtien Beach. I have never had shelves collapse, but I hear you with regards to the closure and security of the windows. I always select the highest possible floor, firstly for security, but also not to have any drain smell issues or bugs. I love living in Jomtien even though I split my year between my home in South West France and extended stays in Vietnam.Betty *********
@Steve **************
Hi Steve, concerning the noise problems I've experienced, it's probably due to the thin walls. I have a very solid home in France and have never heard a neighbours TV or shower.i know you can't compare the cost of a Thai condo and one in France , or other western countries. I too have spent many winters in Thailand since 1985.I would never buy unless I was actually spending most of the year there. Then I would choose with great care. As for the author, personally I would invest the sale of my house at home, or rent it out there.And if I didn't have any experience of Thailand I certainly wouldn't buy without having lived there for a while. It's not only buying or renting that is the problem, it's knowing the good and the bad, the tax situation, the different seasons, different areas, and as the lady has children certainly the schooling and costs. I have foreign friends with children and the kids are often bored and not finding enough friends and things to do.Quite a common problem. So not a decision to take lightly.Steve ***************
@Betty ********
This is my home in Aveyron. The walls are at least 36 inches thick, so I don't hear anything from inside. I spend the European spring and summer here avoiding South East Asia's rainy season, the other half the year in Thailand with a long vacation in Vietnam to keep me under the Thai 180 day tax residency. Condo rental in Thailand is cheap enough not to be bothered that it sits empty 6 months of the year.Reply to
Steve ***************
Reply
Gary ********
@Steve **************
me e too. Always rent. I've moved twice because of noisy neighbours. Also in Jomtien. It's a great place to liveReply to
Gary ********
Reply
Phil ******
Many people
Reply to
Phil ******
Reply
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