How to Find Housing in Thailand?
📅 Published in 2017 — Updated in June 2026
🏠 Nouvelles plateformes, prix actualisés, conseils pratiques pour 2026.
🏠 Find accommodation in Thailand in 2026
🔍 Modern search platforms
| Platform | Kind | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 🟡 Hipflat (hipflat.co.th) | Rental + purchase | The most complete, EN/TH, verified photos |
| 🟢DDproperty | Rental + purchase | Very used by locals, new condos |
| 🔵 FazWaz | Specialized foreigners | EN/FR agents, complete support |
| 📘 Facebook Groups | Individuals | “[city] apartments for rent” — very active |
| 🏡 Monthly Airbnb | Test 1-3 months | Ideal for testing a neighborhood before lease |
💰 Monthly rental prices (2026)
| City | Studio/1 bedroom center | 2 bedrooms | House/Villa |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏙️Bangkok | 15,000 – 25,000 ฿ | 25,000 – 50,000 ฿ | 40,000 – 100,000+ ฿ |
| 🌿 Chiang Mai | 8,000 – 15,000 ฿ | 12,000 – 25,000 ฿ | 15,000 – 30,000 ฿ |
| 🏖️ Phuket | 15,000 – 25,000 ฿ | 20,000 – 40,000 ฿ | 25,000 – 100,000+ ฿ |
| 🌊 Pattaya | 8,000 – 18,000 ฿ | 15,000 – 30,000 ฿ | 20,000 – 40,000 ฿ |
📍 Recommended neighborhoods (French-speaking expatriates)
- 🏙️ Bangkok: Sukhumvit (Soi 1-55), Sathorn, Silom — Alliance Frenche Soi 1, Bumrungrad Soi 3
- 🌿 Chiang Mai: Nimman (cafes, coworking), Old City, Hang Dong (families)
- 🏖️ Phuket: Rawai/Nai Harn (expat community), Chalong (central, affordable)
⚠️ Points of vigilance 2026
- 💳 Deposit: 2 months deposit + 1 month advance (standard)
- ⚡ Electricity: Official PEA rate = 4-5 ฿/unit. Some condos charge ฿7-8 (check!)
- 📄 Contract: Require bilingual Thai-English. Check the termination clause
- 🤝 Negotiation: Possible on 6+ month leases, especially in low season (May-October)
- 🌐 Internet: Check that the fiber reaches the building before signing
🏗️ Buy — The Condominium Act (unchanged)
- ✅ A foreigner can buy a condo in full ownership (quota 49% foreigners/building)
- ❌ A foreigner cannot buy land or a house in his name
- 🔄 Home alternatives: 30-year lease, Thai company, Thai spouse’s name
📺 The original article
You have finally found a job in Thailand (see the article: how to find a job in Thailand?) and wish to settle there or you have decided to spend your retirement in this corner of Asian paradise and it is time for you to find accommodation in Thailand. You must absolutely know and respect the legislation concerning access to property and the rental of real estate for foreigners before embarking on your project. Since 1992, Thailand has renewed the Condominium Act. This law brings together all the articles that govern the physical ownership of real estate for foreigners in the country. Before 1992, no foreigner had access to real estate ownership in Thailand.
Buying accommodation in Thailand
Known to be a pleasant country, whether in terms of climate and tourism or in terms of business, Thailand attracts more and more Europeans (ranked in the top 10 most touristy countries in the world according to different media sources) and in particular French people each year. Most decide to settle there permanently. It is necessary to know all the rules stipulated by Thai law concerning access of foreigners to property and in particular purchase before getting started.
Conditions for finding accommodation in Thailand
An apartment meeting the conditions of Condominium, i.e. an apartment located in a co-owned building at least 51% owned by Thais, can be acquired by an immigrant (a French person). The foreign buyer who purchases an eligible apartment is officially called the owner and has administrative papers attesting that he officially owns the property. He therefore has access to acts of ownership, transferability and transmissibility. This is a Freehold situation to find accommodation in Thailand. The Freehold system consists of giving free rights to the lessee if all the clauses are respected. Thus, the French buyer is completely free to rent or sell their apartment.
Buy a house in Thailand
According to the Leashold system, a foreigner can buy a house in Thailand. However, the land remains the exclusive property of the Thais. The land is subject to a lease under a 30-year rental contract, renewable twice.
The advantages of buying real estate in Thailand
A French person has a significant financial advantage when purchasing real estate in Thailand. Indeed, with high purchasing power in a country where the cost of living is still low, a French person can invest in luxury real estate, to be able to find accommodation in Thailand. He can thus afford easy living conditions and/or in order to be able to make a profit quickly.
The disadvantages of buying real estate in Thailand
The biggest disadvantage of purchasing real estate in South East Asia is undoubtedly the difficulty of acquisition. It is essential to call on a real estate professional (an investment expert or legal advisor) to ensure that you do not get scammed. Furthermore, the procedures related to the transaction generally take a long time to find accommodation in Thailand.
Formalities for renting accommodation in Thailand
The rental of all types of accommodation is accessible to foreigners upon presentation of a valid visa and a passport. See the different visas in progress on the website of the Royal Thai Embassy in Paris.
The different types of rental contract
Rental contracts are for a fixed term. However, renewable from 1 month to 11 months for short-term contracts, from 1 to 3 years for long-term contracts. A foreigner has the possibility of renting residential real estate for a very long period ranging from 3 years to 30 years. All rental contracts for real estate exceeding a duration of 3 years in Thailand must generally be registered with the Department of Lands. This government department is responsible for issuing land titles, recording real estate transactions in Thailand, land topography and cartography.
However, it should be noted that the clauses of the Thai real estate law grant more rights and importance to the foreign owner than to the tenant. To find accommodation in Thailand, it is therefore essential to respect all the points of the rental contract. Like avoiding subletting under penalty of immediate conflicts with the owner. The latter will request payment of 2 months’ deposit and 1 month’s rent at the time of signing the rental contract.
Advantages of renting in Thailand
Renting represents an economical housing solution. Indeed, rents always include charges. It is therefore no longer necessary to set aside a variable amount to pay these bills since they are included in the amount of the monthly rent. Furthermore, the majority of rental properties in Thailand are furnished, fitted out and fully equipped. You no longer have to organize the move from one city to another. Also no more waiting for the delivery of furniture, appliances and furnishings. You can immediately move into your home and live there comfortably as soon as the real estate transaction is concluded.
Disadvantages of renting in Thailand
Renting accommodation that is already furnished and decorated, however, has a significant disadvantage: the impossibility of making the premises your own. Some people do not feel comfortable in this living environment. In addition to drastic government regulations and the imposition of layout, some Thai landlords do not hesitate to impose conditions. They are sometimes severe, such as a ban on owning a pet, limiting the number of people occupying the accommodation or living with disabled people*. (*source of an agency in Thailand: sad measures…)
Contact a French-speaking real estate agency
Finding a French-speaking real estate agency is the best solution. She will help you rent or buy real estate. It will meet your needs and expectations. The Vauban Company, belonging to an international group specializing in the real estate sector, has a network of 6 agencies established in Thailand and particularly in the main cities: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket.
This agency in Thailand provides all information relating to legislation and regulations. She explains to you that access to property for foreigners in Thailand is an achievable challenge. The agency offers personalized support from the search for eligible and appropriate real estate to the completion of real estate transactions. Buying or renting is always best if you have a serious company to help you. This agency was given to me by a French-speaking Thai lawyer specializing in real estate law.
Book an Airbnb
For a first stay in Thailand and to get an idea of the accommodation, book via Airbnb. So you can form your opinion of the lifestyle that will await you there. Reservations possible in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Ko Samui or other cities and regions. Using this link will earn you €35 credit when registering and €65 more when making your first reservation. This will pay you 1 night on average on site. A little gift in partnership with Airbnb and Francejetequitte.
[box] I did not make this article to advertise Airbnb but really to be of service to you like all the content on the Francejetequitte site, so please post only constructive comments (your experiences for example).[/box]
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French entrepreneur, expatriate since 2016. From radio to tech, from Bangkok to London via Hong Kong and Montreal. Founder of Komby (SaaS/AI). This blog tells the journey.