You moved into a nice condo near BTS Thong Lo, paid a two month security deposit of 60,000 THB, and now your lease is ending. You want that money back. Every baht of it. But if you have ever rented in Bangkok before, you know that getting your deposit returned in full can feel like pulling teeth. Landlords suddenly discover "damage" you never caused. Cleaning fees appear out of thin air. And that small nail hole from hanging a picture frame? Apparently it costs 5,000 THB to fix.

Here is the thing though. Most tenants who lose part of their deposit could have avoided it with a little preparation. This guide walks you through exactly what to do, step by step, so you can get your deposit back in Bangkok without the drama.

Document Everything Before You Even Unpack

The single biggest mistake renters make in Bangkok is skipping the move in inspection. The day you get your keys, whether it is a studio near MRT Phra Ram 9 going for 12,000 THB a month or a two bedroom unit at Ashton Asoke for 55,000 THB, you need to photograph every surface of that condo like you are a crime scene investigator.

Take photos and videos of walls, floors, countertops, appliances, bathroom fixtures, and the balcony. Open every cabinet. Check under the sink. Turn on the AC and make sure it does not leak. Document any existing scratches, stains, or marks. Then send all of these photos to your landlord or property manager via email or LINE with a note saying "move in condition, dated today."

This creates a timestamp and a shared record. If a landlord later tries to claim that a scuff on the kitchen floor was your fault, you can pull up the photos and show it was already there. One tenant at Life Ladprao Valley saved herself 8,000 THB in bogus repair charges simply because she had move in photos stored in her LINE chat with the building juristic office.

Read Your Lease Like It Actually Matters

Most rental contracts in Bangkok are pretty standard, but the deposit clause is where things get interesting. Some leases state that the deposit will be returned within 30 days of move out. Others say 45 or even 60 days. Some landlords include a clause about professional cleaning being deducted automatically, typically around 3,000 to 5,000 THB for a one bedroom unit.

Know what your lease says before your final month. If there is a cleaning fee clause, it is hard to argue against it later. But if there is no such clause and your landlord tries to deduct one anyway, you have solid ground to push back. Pay attention to whether the lease specifies "normal wear and tear" as acceptable. Thai rental law generally sides with the tenant on reasonable wear, but having it spelled out in the contract makes everything easier.

A renter in a condo on Sukhumvit Soi 24 once told me his landlord tried to deduct 15,000 THB for repainting. But the lease clearly stated the landlord was responsible for repainting between tenancies. He screenshot the clause, sent it over LINE, and got his full deposit back within two weeks.

Clean the Condo Like You Are Trying to Sell It

Do not just tidy up. Deep clean. This is probably the highest return on effort you will ever get in your life. Spending 1,500 to 2,500 THB on a professional cleaning service can save you 5,000 THB or more in landlord deductions.

Focus on the kitchen, especially the stovetop and range hood, because grease buildup is one of the most common deduction excuses in Bangkok. Scrub the bathroom grout. Wipe down AC filters. Clean inside the washing machine drum. If the condo has curtains, take them down and wash them or have them dry cleaned.

A friend of mine rented a place at Ideo Mobi Rama 9 for two years. She hired a cleaning crew from one of the apps for 1,800 THB the day before her final inspection. The landlord walked in, looked around, and transferred the full 40,000 THB deposit back that same evening. No arguments. No deductions. The clean spoke for itself.

Handle the Final Inspection Strategically

Always be present during the final walkthrough. Never hand over your keys and leave the inspection to the landlord alone. That is how mysterious damage reports appear after you have already moved to your new place near BTS Ari.

Walk through the unit together, room by room. Bring your move in photos on your phone for reference. If the landlord points out something, discuss it on the spot. Agree or disagree in real time. If there is a legitimate issue, like a broken cabinet hinge, negotiate the cost right there rather than letting them get their own quote later, which will always be inflated.

Ask the landlord to sign or acknowledge in writing, even a LINE message works, that the inspection is complete and note any agreed deductions. This prevents new "discoveries" from popping up days later.

Follow Up Firmly but Politely

Thai culture values politeness, and being aggressive about your deposit will almost always backfire. But being too passive means your money sits in someone else's bank account indefinitely. The sweet spot is consistent, friendly follow up.

If your lease says 30 days and day 31 arrives with no transfer, send a polite LINE message. Reference the lease term. Ask for a timeline. If you still get silence after a week, send a more formal email. Mention that you are aware of your rights under Thai civil and commercial code regarding deposit returns. You do not need to threaten legal action. Just showing that you know the law exists is usually enough.

Most landlords in Bangkok are reasonable people who want to maintain good relationships, especially if they plan to rent the unit again and might need a positive reference from former tenants.

Getting your full deposit back in Bangkok is completely doable when you treat it as a process rather than a hope. Document your move in, understand your lease, clean thoroughly, attend the inspection, and follow up with confidence. These steps work whether you are renting a 10,000 THB studio in On Nut or a luxury unit in Sathorn. And if you are currently searching for your next rental, Superagent at superagent.co can help you find condos with transparent landlords and fair lease terms, so your next deposit return is the smoothest one yet.