Hi everyone, I’m looking for advice on a rental situation in Bangkok and would really appreciate any insight.
I signed a lease and paid 60,000 baht yesterday for a condo. When I went to inspect the unit more thoroughly after receiving the keys, I found multiple serious issues that were not disclosed or addressed before handover.
Specifically:
- Evidence of a German cockroach infestation, including an egg case (ootheca), a live nymph, and droppings in multiple areas (kitchen and bathroom, including upper ledges near the ceiling)
- The presence of an egg case and multiple sizes of roaches indicates active breeding, not just a random bug
- A plumbing issue (sink leaking underneath)
- The unit was also delayed and not fully ready at the agreed move-in time, with other smaller issues that had to be addressed
I documented everything immediately with photos and videos and notified the agent right away.
For context, I have asthma, and this situation is not something I feel comfortable or safe living in—especially since I would be locked into a 1-year lease and I’m very sensitive to this kind of environment.
I’ve already requested cancellation and a refund, but I’m waiting for their response.
My questions:
- Has anyone dealt with something similar in Thailand?
- Is this considered a valid reason to request a full refund or lease cancellation?
- If they refuse, what’s the most effective next step—Consumer Protection Board, legal help, or something else?
- Would you negotiate a partial refund to resolve it quickly, or push for full?
I’m trying to handle this calmly and professionally, but I also don’t want to get stuck in a bad situation for a year.
Any advice or experience would really help. Thank you 🙏