a lot of people get sucked in to pay higher than govt rates stand your ground and demand govt rate until you find one there is plenty and get someone who is Thai to bargain for you i got my monthly rent down from 14,000 baht a month to 11,500 baht per month using a Thai friend to do the talking
ballpark figure is about $50 Aus per month 1150 baht in Jomtien easy to deal directly with condo owner and only pay government rate if you rent through condo body you can pay up to twice the amount i never had a bill over 1300baht for the month including water
Philippines or Cambodia renew every 12 months no reporting BS and can leave the country and return without reporting Thailand needs to stream line the process