Renting in Phuket as a foreigner: deposit, lease, TM30 and bills (2026 guide)

Everything a foreigner needs before renting a home in Phuket: budget, where to look, the lease, deposit, TM30 and the bills nobody mentions.

Renting a home in Phuket is straightforward once you know how it works here. This guide walks through it step by step, using what we see across the 145 homes listed for long-term rent on Matt.

1. Set your budget

The typical long-term rental in Phuket costs ฿30,000 a month. Rough guide:

• 1-bedroom condo: ฿10,000–20,000 (cheap rentals guide)
• 2–3 bedroom house in a village: ฿25,000–50,000
• Pool villa: ฿60,000 and up (pool villa guide)

Full numbers by area and type: Phuket Rent Report, October 2026.

2. Pick the area first

Phuket is bigger than it looks and traffic is real, so choose where you need to be every day — work, school, the beach — before you choose a house. Phuket Town is cheapest and most practical; Kathu sits between town and Patong; Chalong and Rawai in the south are popular with long-stay foreigners and families. See the best areas for families.

3. View before you pay

Never transfer a deposit for a home you have not seen, in person or on a live video call. On viewings, check the air conditioners, water pressure, mobile signal, and what the street is like at night. Ask who you will deal with for repairs.

4. The lease

• One year is standard. Six-month leases exist but typically cost 13% more per month.
• The lease should name the rent, deposit, payment date, what furniture is included, who pays which bills, and how the deposit is returned.
• Ask for an English (or bilingual) contract, and pets written in if you have one (pet-friendly rentals).

5. Deposit and first payment

For a one-year lease, expect two months' deposit plus the first month in advance — three months' rent up front. Get a receipt for every payment. On move-in day, photograph every room, the furniture and any marks, and send the photos to the owner or agent the same day: it is the easiest way to get the whole deposit back.

6. TM30: the owner reports you

Thai law requires the house owner (or whoever manages the home) to report a foreign resident to Immigration within 24 hours of moving in, on a form called TM30. Your part is easy: give the owner a copy of your passport, visa page and entry stamp, then ask for the TM30 receipt. Keep it — Immigration often asks for it when you extend your visa.

7. Bills

• Electricity: the government rate is around ฿4–5 a unit; some landlords and condos charge more. Ask before you sign — with air conditioning it is the biggest bill.
• Water: usually a few hundred baht.
• Internet: fibre is widely available and cheap.
• Common fees in condos are normally the owner's, and garden or pool care for houses varies — get it in the lease.

8. Moving out

Give notice as the lease says (often 30 days), clean the home, and walk through it with the owner using your move-in photos. Deductions should only be for damage beyond normal wear and unpaid bills.

FAQ

Can foreigners rent a house in Phuket?

Yes. Foreigners can rent any house, villa or condo in Phuket on a lease; you need your passport and the deposit. Buying land is restricted, renting is not.

How much deposit do landlords ask for in Phuket?

Usually two months' rent as a security deposit plus the first month in advance for a one-year lease, so plan for three months' rent up front. Some short leases ask for one month's deposit.

Who files the TM30 when I rent in Phuket?

The house owner (or the person who manages the home) must report a foreign resident to Immigration within 24 hours. Give the owner a copy of your passport and ask for the TM30 receipt — Immigration often asks to see it when you extend a visa.

Is a 6-month lease possible in Phuket?

Yes, but it costs more. Where a home on Matt lists both prices, the 6-month rent is typically 13% higher per month than the 1-year rent.

What is included in the rent?

Usually the home and its furniture. Electricity, water and internet are paid by the tenant; condo common fees are usually paid by the owner but check. Garden and pool care for houses varies — ask.

Looking now? Browse every home on mattproperty.com/rent — message the agency directly from the listing, no sign-up needed.