10 Things to Include in Your Rental Agreement in Phuket

If you own a property and want to rent it out, it’s smart to have a written rental agreement in Phuket with your tenant. If any issues come up later, having a written agreement can help you. But remember, your rental agreement in Phuket needs to include certain important rental terms.

Here are 10 things you should include in your rental agreement in Phuket

What Is a Rental Agreement?

A rental agreement is like a contract between you and your tenant from rental management services. It spells out the rules for living in your place. You get to decide what’s in it, which is helpful. A rental agreement in Phuket is usually for short periods, like month-to-month. If you want to keep things flexible or if you’re sharing your home, a rental agreement is a good choice. It’s easier to end a month-to-month agreement compared to a longer lease.

How to Write a Rental Agreement in Phuket?

Writing a rental agreement involves several steps. Here’s a simple guide:

1. Write down who’s renting and who owns the place, along with the address and when the rental agreement starts.

2. Say how much the rent is and when it’s due. Also, mention what happens if it’s paid late.

3. Write about the money paid upfront and when it’s given back in the rental agreement.

4. Explain what the landlord and tenant have to do in the rental agreement, like who fixes things and who pays for utilities. Also, mention any rules, like no pets.

5. Include things like when the rental agreement can end, if it can be renewed, and what happens if there’s a problem.

6. If there are more things to talk about in the rental agreement, like parking or smoking rules, write those down too.

7. Both people read the rental agreement, make sure it’s right, and then sign and date it.

Things That Should Be Included in the Rental Agreement

The rental agreement in Phuket should cover important details like:

Names of All Tenants and Occupants

List all adults living in the rental, even if they’re married or not, and have them sign the rental agreement. This protects landlords because each tenant is responsible for paying rent and following the lease rules. If one person doesn’t pay, you can ask any tenant for the full amount. If one tenant breaks the rules, you can end the lease for everyone. You can also include a rule that only tenants and their kids can live there, and guests can’t stay too long. 

Description of Rental Property

In the rental agreement, make sure to describe the rental property well. Include the complete address, with any building or unit numbers if there are any. Also, mention any special things about the property, like storage spaces or parking spots. For example, if there’s assigned parking, say which spot it is. Also, say if there are any places tenants can’t go, like a locked shed in the backyard. This helps everyone know what’s what with the rental place.

Term of the Tenancy

A rental agreement means you rent a place for a short time, like a month. It keeps renewing until you or the landlord decide to stop. A lease is for a set time, like a year, and ends after that time. Whether you’re using a rental agreement or a lease, make sure to say when it starts, how long it lasts, and if it’s a lease, when it ends.

Rental Price

When mentioning the rental price, don’t just state the amount. Explain when it’s due, usually at the beginning of the month, and how to pay, like by mailing a check to your office. Make sure to follow your rules on the rental agreement. To prevent misunderstandings, clarify:

• How tenants can pay (e.g., personal check only)
• If there’s a fee for paying late, how much it is, and if there’s a grace period
• Any charges if a rent check bounces.

Security Deposits and Fees

To make sure landlords and tenants don’t argue, it’s important to:

• Clearly say how much the security deposit is, making sure it’s not more than what the state allows.

• Explain what the deposit can be used for, like paying overdue rent or fixing things the tenant breaks. Also, say what it can’t be used for, such as covering the last month’s rent.

• Tell if you expect the tenant to add more money to the deposit if you have to take some out for repairs during the lease.

• Say when and how you’ll give back the deposit and explain any deductions when the tenant moves out, following what the state says.

• Mention any fees that the tenant won’t get back, like cleaning or having pets, and make sure these fees are okay by state rules.

• Some places might want you to say where you’ll keep the deposit and if you’ll pay the tenant interest on it.

Repair and Maintenance Rules

To avoid problems with rent and security deposits, make sure tenants understand these rules:

• They must keep the place clean and pay for any damage they cause (except for regular wear and tear).

• They need to tell you about any problems, and you’ll explain how to ask for repairs.

• They can’t make changes to the place without your permission (like painting).

Landlord’s Permission to Enter

To prevent tenants from saying you entered unlawfully or invaded their privacy, your rental agreement should explain when you can access the rentals in Phuket. You can have different rules for different situations, as long as they follow your state’s laws. For instance, you might give 24 hours’ notice before entering for repairs or to show the place to new tenants, but you might not be able to give notice in an emergency.

Important Rules and Policies

If there are rules you consider crucial enough that breaking them could lead to eviction, make sure to include them in your rental agreement. Other rules can be in a separate document. Here are common policies landlords include:

1. To protect yourself from liability and keep everyone safe, prohibit illegal behaviour like drug use or excessive noise.

2. You can ban smoking in your rental, including marijuana and vaping. Specify where smoking is allowed if permitted.

3. You can restrict or ban pets except for service animals. If pets are allowed, state limits on number, type, and size, and rules for cleaning up after them.

4. Consider requiring written communication for certain matters to maintain a record. Emails are fine if monitored and saved properly.

5. Laws may require you to disclose things like lead paint or bed bug history. Make sure your agreement follows all relevant laws, and consider a legal review to ourvillas.

Frequently Asked Questions