Should I Rent a Condo or an Apartment in Bangkok?

Rent an Apartment or Condo

Physically a Condominium Building and an Apartment building can look very similar from both the inside and outside. However, renting a condo and renting an apartment in Bangkok can have several differences, although it’s important to note that the specific terms and conditions can vary depending on the individual building, landlord, and location. 

Here are some common differences to renting a condo or apartment:

Ownership and Management:

  • Apartment: Apartments are usually owned and managed by a single entity, such as the owner of the building, a property management company or a real estate developer.
  • Condo: Condos are typically privately owned units within a larger building or complex. They may be owned by individuals or investors and are often managed by a property management company employed by the joint owners of the units within the building.

Rental Costs:

  • Condo: Rental prices for condos can vary widely based on the age of the building, location, size, and amenities supplied and even the floor level in the building. Agreements tend to be more flexible in terms of pricing as you are dealing with the individual owner of the condo and not with a company with fixed rate pricing. The costs for utilities (Electricity and Water) is a direct cost from the government so will be the best rate available.
  • Apartment: Apartments often have more standardized rental rates, and you may have fewer options for negotiation. The utility costs may be charged at a higher rate as they cover the cost for the common areas of the building. Some buildings have their own generator which may have a different charge from the utility company. The rates for utilities may also be charged at a flat rate per month rather than on the amount used.

Lease Terms:

  • Condo: Condo rental terms tend to be flexible but are mostly based on a minimum 1-year lease to get the best rate. Most private owner’s do not want the trouble of dealing with shorter term leases but may do so if an increase in the rental price is offered.
  • Apartment: Apartments often have more standardized lease terms, with leases typically lasting for 12 months. Shorter-term leases may be less common and found in ‘Serviced Apartments’ where a week-to-week or month-to-month option is available.

Furnishing:

  • Condo: Condos may be rented as furnished, partially furnished, or unfurnished units. The level of quality of furnishing can vary greatly depending on the individual owner. Individual condo owner’s may furnish in a more eclectic and interesting style. Most condo units come fully furnished in Bangkok but the private owner may not have the space to be able to remove and store furniture which can make it unobtainable for the tenant with their own furniture!
  • Apartment: Apartments are more likely to be offered as either fully furnished, partially furnished or unfurnished units, making them convenient for those who want a move-in-ready space. The furnishings tend to be good but standard in style although the owner may have several options of furnishings and sofa coverings! In contrast to a condo it is also more likely that an apartment owner will be able to move furniture into and out of an apartment unit as needed by the tenant.

Amenities:

  • Condo: Condo buildings often offer a wide range of amenities such as swimming pools, fitness centers, security, and parking facilities. The quality and availability of amenities can vary widely.
  • Apartment: Apartments may also have amenities and they may be even more extensive than those in condo complexes as they cater for the expatriate community only. They may also have tennis courts, squash courts, children’s play areas and even sauna’s!

Maintenance and Repairs:

  • Condo: In most cases, condo owners are responsible for maintenance and repairs within their own individual units so having a responsible landlord owner is important. Most private owner’s are keen to take care of their own property and do carry out on-going maintenance as required! The Condominium Management (Juristic Person) are employed by the Joint Condominium owner’s of the building and they typically only handle maintenance of the common areas of the building. Sometimes the individual owner’s will have an arrangement with the in-house maintenance team to help with repairs in their own condo unit. This will help in case emergency repairs are needed!
  • Apartment: Maintenance and repairs in apartment buildings are generally the responsibility of the property management company or the building owner, often making it more convenient for tenants to get repairs done quickly by the in-house maintenance team.

Security:

  • Condo: Condo complexes often have tighter security, including controlled access, security personnel, and surveillance systems. The security guards will often know the owner’s of each of the units and their tenants
  • Apartment: Apartments may have security measures, but they might not be as comprehensive as in condo buildings. However, depending on the building the security may be as high if not higher than at a condo building.

Location:

Both condos and apartments can be found throughout all areas of Bangkok although the more higher-end apartment buildings can be found in the areas where most expatriates live (Sukhumvit and Sathorn).

Conclusion:

Ultimately, the choice between renting a condo or an apartment in Bangkok will depend on what is available in your location preference, your budget, and specific lifestyle requirements. When making a decision about whether to rent in an apartment or a condominium building you should also base it on convenience (do you need someone on call to fix problems immediately, if so an apartment may be better for you but may cost more in rent and utilities). 

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