What to do if they do not return the deposit for renting a house in Thailand?

Oresting in blessed Tai, you rented a house, lived in it for the prescribed period, but now it's time to go home or go further. Everything went well, as expected, one might say just fabulous. But on the day of settlement, for some reason, you did not receive your deposit back. What to do in this case and where to go if the landlord does not return the deposit for rent. Further, the real story, practical advice and ways to solve this problem.

Background: Renting a house in Avalon Hua Hin and the initial course of events

History, at first glance, banal. The term of the contract for the house has expired and the deposit was not returned to us. No, we were not given extra kilowatts for electricity or looked for broken furniture. The person who was supposed to return the deposit for renting the house just disappeared. Disappeared with our money. And the amount, by the way, is not small - 20,000 baht. But the story is banal only at first glance.

We have not violated the terms of the contract, we have not broken anything, but this is not even the point, and not even the denouement. The fact is that with the person who disappeared, let's call him "Mr. Lee", we communicated, as it seemed to me, very well.

Mr. Lee came to visit us from the very beginning, told interesting things about Thailand, prompted and helped in some way. Before the trip to the north, we sat together in the evening and looked at the map, choosing a route. He told us about places and people, warned us against dangers, suggested solutions to everyday issues. In a word, he seemed to us a decent person and definitely pleasant in all respects.

Water problems and settlements

Here I will have to digress a little in order to recreate the whole picture of events. Two months ago, the water in our house was turned off, and it was turned off in the entire village. The protagonist of the story himself told us that some owners had accumulated large debts for utilities, and the water was cut off in the entire village. Water was brought by car, in a large cistern, and the tank was filled at the house for 300 baht at a time. We immediately discussed with Lee that the owner pays for this water, since the contract states that we do not pay for water separately.

The fact is that Lee is the manager, and the owner of the house is Norwegian. He lives quietly in his distant socialist Norway, goes skiing there or, for example, to a bar, reads a newspaper in the morning and does not know what happens to the water in his house in the village of Avalon.

Water was used in a very strange way. They didn’t order for a long time, then they had to order twice a week, and once they ordered it in the evening, and in the morning there was no water. As a result, it turned out that we ordered water eight times, for a total of 2400 baht.

For the last two months we have not paid 700 baht for internet, and according to the contract we had to pay 1000 baht for the final cleaning. Logically, these sums are mutually compensated. Nothing is deducted from the deposit and 20,000 baht is returned to us.

After that, we happily hug, sit on the path, then stop by the neighbors to say goodbye, photograph the village as a keepsake with the words that we will definitely return here, although in our hearts we already know for sure that this will not be the case, and we leave. This is how we imagined our temporary move from Hua Hin to Koh Samui.

Mr. Lee, happy Norwegian and nervous Jack

A few days before the day of departure, we called Lee to clarify the details of our breakup. He said our house deposit was with Jack. And here, to our two characters - Happy Norwegian and Forgetful Lee, one more is added - Nervous Jack.

In fact Jack was very nice, but only very optional. Jack works at Star Property Hua Hin real estate agency. Six months ago we called him to help us find a house because we didn't have time to do it on our own.

Our house at the agency cost 25,000 baht, but we rented it for 20,000. Jack wrote a receipt for the deposit and conditions and took his leave. For two months he brought us a contract, but we still got it, because a contract is never superfluous.

In our short conversations, Jack repeatedly repeated that we rented the house directly from Lee, concluded an agreement with Lee, and in the future everything should be negotiated with Lee. As far as we understand, this difference in price is due to the fact that Jack rented the house bypassing the agency.

For us it was not so important contract and receipt, there is a video of how he accepted money, and this price suited us more than the price from the agency. Later, in one of our conversations, Lee said that he and Jack had known each other for a long time, having come to Hua Hin together from a small town.

About three months later, a friend of that very Happy Norwegian came to the house opposite, and Lee and the owner immediately had some kind of disagreement. Lee told us that he would not manage the houses in the future, but after we moved out. The fact is that because of work, he is constantly on the road.

By that time, we talked with Lee on various issues, we bought a bike from him, in a word, we trusted him to a certain extent. The fact that he was removed from the management of the house did not seem suspicious or strange to us. Even if they didn’t share something with the owner, we communicate normally with him, and everything will definitely be fine with us.

Preparing to Move Out of a Rented Home: Events Are Gaining Momentum

Three days before leaving home, Lee told us over the phone that Jack had the deposit. We called Jack and he confirmed that he really did have the money. We lived quietly for two days. Although, there was still some anxiety inside. Premonition, probably. On the third day in the morning, we called Jack again. He said Lee had the deposit, saying he had sent him the money via bank transfer. This ping-pong was alarming, but there was nothing to do and we called Lee.

This time, the conversation with him somehow did not work out right away. I reminded him about paying for water, they began to count, he did not agree with my calculations. Then two women came to see if everything was in order with the house. I was waiting for them with a deposit, but they did not bring money. But they checked if everything was working, turned on the TV, watched the payment of electricity bills.

When the women left, my heart was already out of place. On that day, we booked a car and had until six in the evening to pick it up at Budget. We have not yet paid money for the car, and as it turned out later, we did the right thing, because the amount there was rather big: 1,800 baht per day plus 3,000 baht - a surcharge for returning on Koh Samui.

I called Lee again to ask when our money would arrive and to say that we did not have much time. He reassured us definitely and said the following:

… “Don't worry, Lee has never let anyone down. Tomorrow at four o'clock, or at most five, my worker will bring your money. He will be sure and will not be late. Wait"...

As you already understood, neither at four, nor at five, nor at half past five, there was no worker on the horizon. All this time I unsuccessfully tried to get through to Lee, he did not pick up the phone anymore.

I started calling Jack. I must say, he behaved in this situation in a boorish way. He was angry, spoke rudely, threatened, asked to photograph the first page of the contract. We took a photo of the receipt on the letterhead of the Star Property agency, realizing that until he sees a familiar emblem on the documents, he will not lift a finger on a finger.

It was very difficult and unpleasant for me to communicate with him that evening and the next day. I had to take the rap, because from our family I know English better, and it was a real pressure. You could say he was threatening. I don’t want to remember all the absurdities with which he tried to intimidate me, but it was definitely said that if we go to his office, then nowhere else: neither in Hua Hin, nor in Thailand, I will not be able to rent a house - he will arrange it.

The fact that the owner of the agency had no idea about renting a house was already clear, but listening to this outright rudeness was unbearable. And I knew that I needed to control myself, because my only goal was to return the money. After these chaotic negotiations, Jack proposed something, in my opinion, strange for a normal real estate agent:

... “Listen, it seems to me that in your case you need to go to the police with my receipt, or alternatively, sell everything more or less valuable that you find in the house” ...

I don’t even know which of these two sentences shocked me more. But 20,000 is not a small amount, and we could not stay in the house, the contract for which had expired, according to the law and did not want to because of the circumstances. In addition, just these days we had friends from Moscow visiting us, and all together we were going to leave for Koh Samui.

After a couple more forced conversations with Jack, we realized that things were bad. It’s dark outside, we definitely don’t take a car today and don’t go anywhere. There is nothing to do, we took the documents, got on the bike and went to storm the Star Property office, and then the police.

Visit to Star Property Office and Police Station

Arriving at the office real estate agency we made sure that none of his employees were aware of our problems. In principle, this is quite loudly said about the employees. There was only one employee at the workplace. From her appearance, we realized that our situation is far beyond the boundaries of her emotional perception.

However, after our conversation with the girl, we received a call from Jack with another moralizing that good people, unlike us, do not do this. Therefore, we, as befits "bad people" went to the police station.

Upon arrival at police station we described our situation in detail. They showed the contract, receipt and other documents, and a miracle happened: the police understood us. As it turned out, the situation with non-return of the deposit for renting a house in Thailand is quite widespread. Yes, of course, dozens of its variations are possible, but still ...

The policeman, dialing the phone number indicated on the receipt, spoke with Jack and assured us that we would receive our deposit tomorrow. A protocol was drawn up on our application. We signed it and we were given a copy of it.

Then in the station, the words of one of the Thai policemen sunk into my soul. He asked me about the relationship with "Mr. Lee", his behavior, oddities. To which I honestly told him:

... "Since I saw "Mr. Lee", I have always been sure that he is a good person" ...

The policeman, it seemed to me, looked at me sadly and replied:

... “How do you know what kind of person is standing in front of you? You can never know exactly the essence of a person if he is not your own or a friend who saved you from death. Look at me, do you think I'm a good or a bad person?"...

Then I looked into his eyes and said nothing. Yes, I never know exactly who is in front of me.

After the police station, we returned home. Our friends all this time were in the house in case someone suddenly arrives with money. We slept badly, and in the morning I didn't feel well. She thought she was ill, but everything worked out. By the way, later on Koh Samui, to my regret, I happened to personally know How much does treatment in Thailand cost without insurance.

At about six in the morning, we were awakened by the creaking of the gate: two yesterday's women came. As it turned out, they came not to return the money to us, but to clean up the house after our departure. They expected us to leave yesterday. The women did not speak English at all, but, just in case, I told them about the police and that we would not leave here until we took our money.

As they left, I noticed one of the women dialing a number on her cell phone, and I immediately started calling Lee myself. The phone was active, but no one picked up the phone. Then I wrote an ems with the text something like this:

…“It will be better for you if you return the money today. We've been to the police, we've got video of you and Jack taking the money, and the women inspecting the house yesterday. We have all the information about you from the greenbook to the bike. And we will report to the Consumer Protection Board that you do not pay taxes "...

Despite assurances from the police and this ridiculous attempt at a threat on our part, there was no certainty that we would get our money back today. And being in the house, in fact, illegally, without a contract, was, to put it mildly, uncomfortable. What a way to say goodbye to the village, I wanted to take our money and get out of here as soon as possible!

Telephone conversations with the "Happy Norwegian"

Jack sent the phone number of the owner of the house. The Norwegian turned out to be quite sane, even though at the end of the conversation he mentioned that it was five in the morning in Norway, and I woke him up. He was already aware and said that he was doing his best and also trying to contact "Mr. Cherin".

We agreed that I would call him back at two o'clock. As luck would have it, the neighbor opposite had left somewhere, we turned to another Thai neighbor. But she moved in recently and went with us to her neighbor, to the next house. The door was opened by a European man. After listening to our situation, he said something not entirely pleasant for us:

… “You can hardly take your money from Lee. Lee is said to have scammed the owner of the house for money. He rented the house without his knowledge, and he found out about it and fired him, but he never returned his money "...

In general, we suspected that it was all so, but it is one thing to suspect, and another to hear this from neighbors who live one house away from us. As always happens in situations like this, everyone seemed to know that Lee was a dishonorable person, except for us.

But it was too early to give up, we have all the information about Lee and there is no problem for the police to find him. We decided to go to the police again and ask the officer to go with us to the village, so that he could talk to one of the women with whom Lee communicated well, perhaps threatened her and tried to find out where Lee was now. There were still no better ideas.

Communication with the tourist police

There was a new shift on duty at the station, who was not familiar with our case. The employees read the protocol in Thai, said that they did not speak English and sent it to the tourist police. A new hope loomed on the horizon: we had not yet been to the tourist police.

But, as it turned out, in vain. Some inadequate policeman studied the protocol and all the documents for a long time, then asked if we had money. I said I didn't understand the question. He repeated, then repeated again. Of course, we were not going to give a bribe, and to substitute and wave money, knowing that a bribe is a criminal offense, too.

In general, we intentionally fell into a stupor and decided to pretend to be a "hose". I didn’t understand what it was, but he specifically pointed to our wallet and asked about the money. Then, in the end, he said that the money would be returned to us today, as it is written in the protocol, and “go through the forest.” Until "today" is over, we can't do anything. Come back tomorrow.

The police and the real estate agent are on our side. Although at first glance it may not seem so ...

Having experienced one more psychological pressure and having received a complete mental discord, we went home. Needless to say, no one went to the village with us. There is nothing else for them to do. Just think, they stole twenty thousand from the farangs, mere pennies, for them this is nonsense ...

Return of the deposit for renting a house: the end of sad events

We arrived home, again tried to call the hotel on Koh Samui to reschedule the reservation. As luck would have it, no one answered the phone, as everyone died, and we have already paid for two numbers with a card for two days, one of which is burning right now. All this time, with a certain periodicity, I unsuccessfully tried to get through to Lee.

Already spat on this case, put the phone aside, when suddenly he rang himself. Jack on the other end said that "Mr. Cherin" got in touch and would transfer the money to him within an hour. Only 19,000 baht instead of 20,000. I said that this is not so important anymore, the main thing for us is to collect a deposit for the house. It so happened that the move exactly coincided with the May holidays, and every extra day spent here deprives us of the opportunity to find a normal home there.

I didn't tell him all this, of course. In general, I spoke with him cautiously, if only to return the money, and he again continued to bend his line about the fact that we are such bad people. And he did it so cleverly that I almost believed it. We are so bad, we wanted our money back.

And again we were on pins and needles, or rather, on suitcases, because if the money is brought at least before half past six, there is a chance to pick up the car from the rental and leave today. And if later, then there is no other choice but to stay the night, now completely illegal, in our former sweet home.

But this time, fortune turned to us, or Lee’s conscience woke up, or he realized that we wouldn’t get off so easily, or he got out of the binge, who knows, but the money was brought to us. And we even managed to take a car, and in the morning we were already standing on the ferry, looking at the mountains ahead and breathing in the moist air of Koh Samui. And at the hotel, without even really understanding, they understood our situation and rescheduled the booking so that we didn’t lose anything. Still, for the most part, Thais are sane people.

Personal conclusions from this unpleasant story?

First. When renting a house, draw up a contract and a receipt. Feel free to record the signing procedure and the transfer of money on camera. God forbid, it will not be useful, but let it be.

Second. Agents are not evil. In our case, if the agent did not appear in this case, we would hardly have returned the money back in one day, if we had returned it at all. I myself didn’t even think about the police and we don’t know why he scared Lee so much, caring about his reputation.

The agent is always in sight, he values his work, and rumors, as you know ..., in general, for the sake of these twenty thousand, it is not at all good for him to spoil his reputation. We searched on the Internet how to return the deposit and came across a story. They rented a house there directly, the police ordered the secret owner of the house to return the money, but there was no money. People left with nothing, then came again, again the same thing. On the third time, I don’t know how, I managed to drag the hostess to the police, and only then did the matter move forward. Here is such a story. Turns out we got lucky.

Third. Don't be afraid to contact the police. This is how I write now, but then I was really scared. In a foreign country, without really knowing their laws. But now I can say for sure - it worked. And it’s better to tell the debtor directly that the protocol has been drawn up, then he will understand that you won’t get rid of him so easily, perhaps he will get nervous, succumb to your pressure and return the money. I don't know what this protocol means for the culprit under Thai law, perhaps nothing serious.

Fourth. It is always better to leave a margin of time for a week and a half from the last day of living in the house until the date of departure to Russia. For the last week you can move to a hotel, Thailand is full of options from expensive hotels like Hotel Rawi Warin Resort & SPA Koh Lanta, to very budget guesthouses.

Imagine you have tickets to Russia tomorrow and you don't get your deposit back. There is no time to somehow try to resolve the situation, you have to leave. Then, almost certainly, you will not lose the amount for tickets (although, depending on what deposit and what amount, tickets can be with an open date). But I came to this conclusion for myself: it is better to play it safe.

Fifth. And please do not take this story as a statement that all Thais just want to cash in on us visitors. No, it's not. The situation with the house has not changed in general my attitude towards the Thais. Yes, I have become even more careful, as much as possible, because, as practice has shown, you cannot insure against this. Especially after this incident, I myself compiled a certain set of rules for renting a house in Thailand. If you are interested, you can read information about this in the article. How to rent a house in Thailand: from inspection to rental agreement.

Being careful does not mean living in fear and being angry. This story is just food for thought, our bad experience. I wish you to meet people on your way only with good intentions, and may luck always smile on you and in everything!