Post: #1

So I have a place rented here in Phuket, Im set to leave early on the 2nd, flights at like 2 am so I hadnt planned to leave the condo till late on the 1st. I get an email from the rental company telling me the cleaning lady has informed them that I have irreversabily stained the sheets, apparently 2 sunscreened bodys reek havoc on bed sheets and pillows and comforters...anyway sent me a bill for 4050 bhat. Its like 125 bucks so not a huge deal but the issue i have is I've paid for 2 months. I cause of work have to head back a little earlier than I thought but gave her 3 weeks notice that the condo is clear to rent on the 2nd. She in her email says after our meeting on the 1st to return deposit I need to be out, like 5 pm a full 6 hours before I planned to leave and a day before she was clear to rent it back out. So I checkout the 1st have it rented to the 8th, a full week of free rent to her and she's trying to jam me for the 4k bhat, the week is worth 9k, I told her I wasnt making a big deal about the 9k but if youre gonna push this sheets issue I want my 9k back for and we'll settle up. The owner is supposed to move back into the place im thinking of saying if you're gonna push this 4k then return the 9k or i'll pay the 4k and I'm staying until the 8th and the owner can find a hotel for a week. What would you guys do in this spot?

Post: #2

Apparently it's common in Thailand. I was told to speak to the landlord with an educated thai friend present. If you know anyone try and get them to do the talking.

Decide on the outcome you want, and be persistent in making it happen. As you said, paying the 4k with either the 9k back for the week if you leave early, or staying the week. Make sure you arrange it with them, DONT just stay there and make the landlord get a hotel though, lol. Good way to get yourself in big trouble.

At worst, try and get a Thai lawyer or law student to call. Ask them to make it very clear what outcome you want, and tell them to tell the agency/landlord you're prepared to goto the police if they're taking liberties. Your frame should be: Being assertive to get exactly what you deserve, but no more, and dont get angry or try and make them look stupid, atall.

Post: #3

I have avoided renting an apartment so far because everytime I go see apartments (always with a thai friend) I find out a load of bullshit I know they wouldn't have bothered to tell me as a farang. For example one place told me it was OK to rent month by month with no deposit etc on the phone, I go with a thai frend they tell her I'd have to pay 2 months worth of rent that I wouldn't get back. This has been common, they tell me one thing on the phone, I rock up with a local and then afterwards find out something totally different. I can't find a deal where I won't be screwed out of money so I'd rather just stay in a hotel. They clean my room every day here so fuck it.

Post: #4

^ ditto that. But serviced apartments are the answer man. You get a better deal than hotels, with kitchen etc. And you get your deposit back unless you destroy the place. Check out my accom data sheet at the bottom of this thread. Thats for BKK though, I'm not sure how many serviced apartments you'll find on the islands.
/thread-3933-p...in+bangkok

Post: #5

airbnb.com should also have you pretty well covered. Their review system tend to keep people honest.

Post: #6

I would pay for the damage caused. If you have any doubt about being overcharged for damages, check the figures. Otherwise, just pay.

Their profit margins are not big enough for you to expect them to comp you stuff like that.

If they want you out once inventory has been taken and deposit returned, I can understand their point of view. They just want to protect their sizable investment against malicious damage or you stealing stuff to try and recoup what you think you lost.

Post: #7

(03-29-2012 05:23 PM)Tigre Wrote:  I would pay for the damage caused. If you have any doubt about being overcharged for damages, check the figures. Otherwise, just pay.

Their profit margins are not big enough for you to expect them to comp you stuff like that.

If they want you out once inventory has been taken and deposit returned, I can understand their point of view. They just want to protect their sizable investment against malicious damage or you stealing stuff to try and recoup what you think you lost.

I would think their profit margin would be decent seeing as Im giving them a free week of rent, even if they deducted the 4k bhat from the 9k bhat theyre up 5k bhat and get the unit a week earlier than I have it under contract for. If I had stayed the full time and done the damage id pay its the knowing theyre making free money that I was willing to part with and then theyre trying to take extra on top thats bugging me. On the other hand I know they can make this a pain in the ass and I dont wanna lose out on the 40k bhat security deposit might just be a bite the bullet scenario and know better next time.

Post: #8

All part of living in Thailand...no doubt about that. It even happens to the locals - the ones who don't have money and connections, anyhow. It definitely happens to farangs.

RichieP has laid out a pretty sensible answer for you on this.

Beyond All Seas

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe.
To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you'll be lonely often, and sometimes
frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." - Kipling

Post: #9

I don't think I've ever not been screwed out of a security deposit in the 12 years I've been in SEA. It's always some bullshit reason, and they often come up with them after the meeting where you are present for them to examine the premises.

They know the locals including local law will usually back them, and if you are not from the village that they were born in, you are an outsider, and don't quite count as human, in the way westerners like to treat our fellow man.

SE Asians are extremely tribal, corrupt, petty, and short term thievery minded.

Post: #10

yeah it just gets worse, she says the maid also says the bottom of the cookware is burnt so you need to replace the pans, I used one, the other 2 I didnt touch but apparently im on the hook for all 3 since they have burn marks, I know the other 2 werent from me Im not sure this one was either but who looks at the bottom of frypans, the one I used looks the most burnt but its the 1 fry pan and the other 2 are big boiling pots so I imagine they just dont get used. Also says glasses are stained by the pop I drank, I dont see jack shit, I rinse them after use old habit from home, so theyre fine...keep on adding costs and I countered with the i'll stay to the 8th she said okay so didnt seem to bother her, didn't want her to think it was a bluff so left that with her and will call her saturday night to say f it im leaving. Experience with the country soured right before I gotta go, won't rent an apartment again.

Post: #11

(03-29-2012 12:11 PM)RichieP Wrote:  ^ ditto that. But serviced apartments are the answer man. You get a better deal than hotels, with kitchen etc. And you get your deposit back unless you destroy the place. Check out my accom data sheet at the bottom of this thread. Thats for BKK though, I'm not sure how many serviced apartments you'll find on the islands.
/thread-3933-p...in+bangkok

Serviced apartments tend to be the same price as hotels I've found. I have little need for a kitchen, there's no way I'm cooking in Thailand with such good and cheap food everywhere.

(03-29-2012 03:56 PM)Vicious Wrote:  airbnb.com should also have you pretty well covered. Their review system tend to keep people honest.

None of the people I contacted on airbnb replied to me. Seems common with apartment rentals, they have websites and email addys but send them an email and they don't reply.

Post: #12

Yeah same price, but you get a bedroom, living room, balcony and kitchen for that... like 3x the space! Makes a diff for me, espec working at home. But yeah hotel would be fine for a jaunt for even a few weeks.

Post: #13

(03-30-2012 06:46 AM)AlphaTravel Wrote:  None of the people I contacted on airbnb replied to me. Seems common with apartment rentals, they have websites and email addys but send them an email and they don't reply.

Odd, of the apartments I looked at for my upcoming stay all three of my leads where biting like mad. Then again, it helps if you can look businesslike and write accordingly.

Post: #14

I don't think it would make any difference what you looked like (I don't have a picture of myself on airbnb anyway) nor could write 'accordingly' (seeing as none of them would be native English speakers themselves) if they were serious about renting the room they would reply.

Post: #15

(03-31-2012 02:38 AM)AlphaTravel Wrote:  I don't think it would make any difference what you looked like (I don't have a picture of myself on airbnb anyway) nor could write 'accordingly' (seeing as none of them would be native English speakers themselves) if they were serious about renting the room they would reply.

You saying that appearing to be a serious, responsible, well-kept and generally have-my-shit-together tenant will not be taken into consideration by someone renting out their property!!?

SYNTAX ERROR.

Post: #16

I'm saying that money trumps everything in Thailand.

Post: #17

What the hell? Just buy her new sheets. They cost like 500 baht.

I disagree with the statement that renting is a bad idea and to go with service apartments. I rented a place for about 9000 baht a month for 3-4 months and had a fantastic time. The landlord didn't speak much English, but we had a good mutual relationship throughout.