The Ultimate Property Viewing Checklist 2022 – what should you ask and what not?

Whether you plan to buy or rent a property, you wouldn’t spend just 20 minutes on a place you plan to live long term right? Always remember that no property will be perfect on all fronts, but getting the right answers to your questions should help you feel more confident when choosing your future home. 

Below is a checklist we have combined, making sure you ask all the right questions and don't miss any important details:

Required Documents and Paperwork

First off, let’s get down on the basics. Make sure you read and understand all the agreements before signing. This might take a bit of your time, but trust me you wouldn’t regret it. And if you do not understand, you should always get in touch with a professional agent

The following is a list of papers you should receive from your agent or the owner directly:

-  Lease Agreement - You can download our ready-made rental lease agreement template here, or use our agreement generator to directly create your own lease agreement in Thai, English, and more languages coming soon. 

-  Inventory List (you can also take pictures of each item to fully show its condition)

- Invoice for booking deposit

- Payment receipt for booking deposit 

Everyone will be asked to provide their ID or passport prior to signing. Non-Thai citizens will be asked to provide the following details:

- Visa

- TM6

- Arrival stamp 

- Optionally, if your visa is tied to your employment, a copy of your work permit

The Rental Unit

Now, let’s move inside the room and see which possible questions you may want to ask or check yourself:

• Do the light switches work?
• Is the AC cool and working properly?
• Is there sufficient storage area? 
• What's the condition of the decorations? 
• Is the flooring in good condition? 
• Are there any signs of dampness or mold? 
• Are there cracks in the walls/ceiling/floor, and are any big enough to notice? 
• How many power sockets are there and are they conveniently located? 
• Can you be overlooked by your neighbors?
• How are the doors? Do they open and close easily?
• Do the locks work and what type of lock system do they use?

Bathroom

• How’s the water pressure?
• Do the taps work ok?
• Is hot water running properly?
• Is there a power socket in the bathroom?
• How’s the flooring in the shower? Is it non-slippery? And if not, is it safe to shower without slipping and risking injury?

Kitchen

• Is there a smoke alarm?
• Are there lots of storage for utensils, plates, and kitchen tools?
• What is the type of stove being used? Is it electric or manual/gas? And does it look well maintained?
• How’s the sink? Is it big enough to cook and do your dishes?

Other Facilities

• How are the elevators? Is it well maintained?
• How does the fire exit plan look like? Is your room located in a good location if there were to be a fire?
• How’s the common area? Is it available for tenants for free or do you have to book and pay?
• What’s the gym like? Is the equipment well maintained and clean?
• How’s the pool? Does it look safe to swim? And what kind of water system is it? Is it chlorine-free?
• How’s the parking area?
• What about the security system? Are there CCTV cameras in the right locations? Are there any security guards during both the day and night shifts?

Surrounding Area

• What’s the area like at rush hour, at both weekends and weekdays?
•  When do the surrounding restaurants and convenience stores close? Are they within walking distance?
• Is the property close to public transportation/stations?

So there you have it, questions that you should ask before choosing your next home. Take your time and view the property more than once, or better yet, have a professional survey and go through it several times before you make your decision. After all, this is going to be the place you live and you wouldn't want to regret it down the road.