Legal and taxes
What international buyers need to know before buying a home in Thailand
What international buyers need to know before buying a home in Thailand
What international buyers need to know before buying a home in Thailand
Land in Thailand is documented with several classes of deed, and they differ significantly in the rights they confer.
The strongest form of title: accurately surveyed, with GPS-marked boundaries, and fully transferable and mortgageable.
A confirmed certificate of use with surveyed boundaries that can normally be upgraded to Chanote and can be sold or mortgaged.
A certificate of use without a precise survey; transfers require public notice, so boundary disputes are more common.
Only a notification of possession. It is not a title deed, cannot be reliably transferred and should be avoided by foreign buyers.
For any purchase we recommend Chanote title, checked directly at the local land office before contracts are signed.
Transaction costs at the land office are shared between buyer and seller, and the split should be agreed in writing in advance.
2% of the registered appraised value, commonly split equally between buyer and seller.
0.5% of the registered value, payable when specific business tax does not apply.
3.3% of the registered or sale value, generally due when the seller has owned the property for less than five years.
Calculated on a progressive scale for individuals or at 1% of the registered value for companies; paid by the seller.
Typically THB 30,000-100,000 depending on the complexity of the title search and contract work.
As a rule of thumb, budget 5-7% of the purchase price for combined taxes, fees and professional costs.
Never rely solely on the seller's or the developer's lawyer. An independent Thai property lawyer should:
Verify the title deed and ownership history at the land office
Check for mortgages, liens, servitudes or court orders on the property
Confirm building permits, zoning and compliance for the structure
Confirm the foreign ownership quota for condominium buildings
Draft or review the sale and purchase agreement in your interest
Attend the land office transfer and verify the registration on the day
Our brokers in Thailand introduce independent lawyers, coordinate title and due diligence checks, and guide you through each stage up to registration at the land office.