We feel it is a good time to buy property
in Thailand. Banks are lending & property prices are now dropping
due to the insecurity of the present economic situation, except oil..
Thailand SET index has also been dropping as foreign investment is
tending to shift to other countries. The situation with The Baht, and
the USA and Japan's firm belief in defending the Yen, won't change
much from what it is. If anything perhaps few Baht swing only. LAND
AREAS: 1 rai = 4 ngarn = 400 wah2 = 1600 m2; 1 talang wah = wah2
= 4 m2; 1 acre = 2.53 rai & 1 ha = 6.25 rai
To date foreigners may
own
- a unit in a registered Condominium
- a
building (as distinct from its land)
- a
registered leasehold of up to 30 years for all types of titled land
(and/or buildings).
- a company can purchase land and buildings 49% foreign shareholding but
must carry out business as well.
- more than 40% of a condominium unless done in Company form.
- 49% max of land/ buildings in a company
- 1 Rai of land if they invest 40m baht in Thailand.
- Usufract Interest or (sidhikepkin) allows a foreigner to have
temporary ownership to certain things in Thailand. Its really limited to
30 years but can be renewed just like a lease.
However, a 30-year lease can be a good idea
with right to renewal to a freehold purchase, or a Thai company (7
PARTNERS) can be established with Thai majority shareholders. Foreigners
own 49% shares in the company buying land but we can assist you to make sure your
company is safeguarded. Remember if you need advice check first before
you commit yourself.
BUYING
YOUR HOUSE:
Thailand has so many different types of
properties for sale that whatever your dream home is, you can realize it
here if you do the paperwork right. Prices are a lot cheaper than
Western houses but some aspects need close scrutiny especially wiring,
water & most importantly the deed title. Now that you want to buy a
house what should you look for?
The first thing you need to do is obtain the services of a reputable
real estate agent or lawyer on your behalf. The Thailand Realty Industry
is not regulated so watch out for agents forcing you to sign contracts,
& check the title
deed to make sure the property is what it says. Do yourself a big
favour and obtain a House Inspection report which in effect pulls the holes
out of the property! Some buyers have bought
the house only to find the land is on a different title & visa versa
or the cracks have been disguised. Once you buy then its your problem. Many Estates will try to sell a house in a developing block which
has but one title with say 10-20 houses on it. They probably have 2
mortgages and want to unload the houses before they pay off the loan
& secure the titles for their owners. Or will they???--- we had
a case & saved the foreign buyer 2.8m baht that he would have
lost if he did not use our service. The same goes with the boundaries of the property which need to
be the same as the title deed. In Thailand there's no survey pegs as
such but they do use concrete pegs & it is an important point. Sometimes vendors deliberately
understate property area or move so called pegs. DO NOT pay any down
payment until you actually view what you are buying & only after you
have had the title checked by a lawyer. If the building is under construction or
the land is having a subdivision look carefully at the provisions for
issuing a title, and easement rights for say roadways. If you are a foreigner you can
lease for 30 years or form a company to hold the house if you are going
to do business. Remember also
do not start a company for the sake of securing your house. Immigration and Company Registration are now
checking all foreign companies for employees and they will be
interviewed as well as what business you are doing???? This law has
always been but now it is being enforced
WHAT
IT ALL MEANS:
Sor Kor 1This
document means that land occupants are occupying or making use of
certain land plots, whose ownership has not been claimed by any entity.
The document does not indicate legal possession of the informer so one
cannot transfer the ownership of the property to any one else. The Sor
Kor 1 is rare now as the government's land ownership legislation has
covered most area of the country.
Nor Sor 2 states the government's permission for person or legal entity
to make use of land temporarily. Need to utilize at least three-quarters of
the land plot within three years after the document issuance. This right is non
transferable. At the finish, land occupants can seek the right to demand
higher privileged title deed.
Nor Sor 3 is a governmental letter certifying a utilization of certain
land plot by certain people and that the plot of land has been surveyed and
its official map created.
Nor Sor 3 A is similar to the Nor Sor 3 certification. The only
difference is the map survey of the land plot based on an aerial-viewed
photograph of the land.
Ownership Title Deed or chanote is the ultimate certification of
land ownership. Holders of the title deed have full rights to transfer
or sell the properties and to bar other parties from violating their
rights over the land protected by the ownership title deed law.A yellow title book or Thor. Ror 13 is given to foreigners under the issue of HABITATIONAL RIGHT or USUFRUCT or SUPERFICIESOWNING THE
HOUSE / LEASE THE LAND:Property: Any foriegner coming to Thailand can register any type of building in their name with the Land Office under Thai law, and a foreigner can own the home on the land but not the land (eg, building, factory or a house) erected on the land. Certainty of possession of land and house is assured by being the owner of the house. If arranged with a laweyer by way of contract then the house will be separate from the land, and will not be a component part under the Civil Law. Ownership of buildings is file at the Land Office and the Lessor cannot seize the house upon expiration of the lease.Buildings other than condominiums do not have any form of title document, but their sale or long lease can be registered at the Amphur (district) land office. Proof of ownership must be established either from proof of construction or a document showing sale-purchase (do not confuse this with the House License document, which is only a register of the house occupants). Transfer of a building, as distinct from its land, requires the posting of 30 days public notice (to see if anyone wishes to contest the ownership). Foreign nationals (aliens) may own any building (as distinct from its land) and may register such transfer of ownership into their names at the local district office.
BUILDING
YOUR HOUSE:
Recently in 2017 we have been asked to
help foreigners who have paid too much to have their house built. Please
note the following----there are 3 types of builders in Thailand: There are still foreigners buying off foreigners who do not own the companies and are only a partner. There are foreigners who do not take their time to check the chanote or the company they are buying from. In this instance you have no comeback. If you buy in Thailand do your homework.
1/. A builder 2/. A broker 3/. a
worker/builder. Those who have been caught out are using (2) which could
be a friend who procures a builder for the foreigner then has a separate
contract with the builder for his cut which is 1/2 of the asking
price. Thus you are giving money away & in fact are being ripped off
as inevitably the actual builder will never be able to meet his
deadlines. Plans & fees etc should not be more than 50,000 baht yet we
have seen charges of 400,000 baht. The fees for 1 sq metre is 1/2 a
satang which is not even a baht. If you need a good builder in Chiangmai
and architect refer to your architect for the prices. You also need to have a builder who can complete
an average house in 3-4 months & check his equipment and formwork
supplies, how many workers he/she has & work he/she has carried out.
Talk to the referrals & your architect to see if they keep to their word.
Remember also
Thai holidays workers will stop work on buddhist holidays and funerals etc. Make sure the contract is overseen by a
lawyer or ask us as we can give you a quote with times etc if you want
us to do. Tel (00-66)019527812. We have seen single storey houses charged
at 6.8m baht when the price should have been 1/2 this. Just remember
having a Thai friend doesn't necessarily mean they are a builder---they
are only getting a commission --when it comes to progress payments and
they ask in advance you could find yourself in a bad situation. Itemize
the materials and also how many men they will have on the job and also
if building multi-stories, their deadlines and time limits.
Prices per sq metre to build are approx:
7-8,000 baht. But, remember this will vary according to the extras and
items like marble and appliances etc.
OFFERS FROM DEVELOPERS
All developers in Thailand can
and will offer you discounts and extras just to get your business. If
youre not happy with some detail ask to change or add on to. Compare what
they might offer you with what you would like. Look for Special
home loan packages, Extra loan rate -- nowadays, local banks offer home
buyers rates that are even below their minimum lending rates (MLR),
Discount on land price, Gift voucher, extra room etc & ground
maintenance. Have everything in writing. If the phone doesn't work and
they say it will be installed next week or month don't believe a word same
with the water, gas lines if any etc. Do not pay a booking fee as then you
are locked in. Never put deposit down until your lawyer has searched the
title out.
Due to Real Estate not being regulated you need to be double careful.
BUYING PROPERTY IN THAILAND:
1/. DO NOT BUY OFF A PLAN
2/. DO NOT BUY IF THE PROPERTY IS NOT BUILT.
3/. HAVE THE CHANOTE CHECKED BY YOU OR YOUR REPRESENTATIVE eg to make sure it is not a copy or a fake.
4/. Never give a deposit on a property before checking out the chanote [title]
5/. If a foreigner buys off a foreigner there is little recourse if things are not right??
6/. Buyer beware.
7/. If a project check the Company. A 1million baht registered company has no weight? and if you buy a home for 4m baht then you lose?
ESCROW SYSTEM When making a down payment on unfinished project, protect your
money from fraud by the Escrow account system which will ensure
your money will not be paid, unless the developer completes construction
of your new home and meets the agreed requirement on specification. If
you decide to build use a [ lawyer ]
We highly
recommend you obtain a Title search and House Inspection report before
you purchase ANY property in Thailand. Cost 10,000 baht Comprehensive
Title search as well as House Inspection fee.
WHY USE OUR SERVICES:
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We work for you (Both Thai &
foreign consultants )
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No hidden charges-everything is up
front.
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Guaranteed conveyancy help &
Company, work permit & land setup for foreigners
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Because you have the benefit of
foreign help with our Thai lawyers and expat consultants
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Full
house onsite appraisals. Cost is 3000 baht for a house under 2 years
old & 5000 baht for older houses plus travel. This 5 page report
with pics and recommendations is a must if you want to know what your house is really like..
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