MOVING-IN Guide – For Foreigner
Congratulations on the recent purchase of your new Thailand Property. To help you better prepare and understand the required actions after Deed Transfer, our Superior Property Real Estate Agency would like to assist you with the guideline below.
Proof of Residence
What is a Tabien Baan or Thai House Book?
Tabien Baan or Thai House Book is the official local government issued house or apartment address and resident registration booklet. It is an administrative document issued by the Local Municipality (Amphur). The persons having their domicile or legal residence at the house or condo unit are registered in the house book. Thailand has 2 types of house books (with a blue or yellow cover):
- the blue Tabien Baan or blue house book (Thor.Ror.14) for Thai nationals, and;
- the yellow Tabien Baan or yellow house book (Thor.Ror.13) for foreigners.
As a house book proves a person’s domicile it is asked in official registration procedures such as the transfer of ownership of a car or real estate, opening a bank account or when applying for a new electricity or telephone line connection and gives, for example, the right to vote in a district. As foreigners are usually not registered in a Thai house book foreigners with a non-immigrant visa, where proof of address is required, foreigner can alternatively show 1.) a letter of residence issued by the local immigration office or (when he is the owner a condominium) unit title deed 2.) in combination with the (empty) blue Tabien Baan and 3.) his passport. In case of a foreigner owns a house (separate from the land) or condominium the blue house book is usually empty, unless he has Thai nationals living with him who have their permanent home at this address.
Is Tabien baan the ownership?
Contrary to what is often assumed by foreigners this document has nothing to do with ownership of a house or condo and cannot be used as proof of ownership. It is a booklet issued by the local municipality (not the land department) that belongs to the official address registration papers of a home or condo and its practical use is that it registers and proves a person’s place of legal residence (official domicile). A house book could state the name of the owner but in the case of a foreign non-resident owner would not (unless he has official residency in Thailand).
- Owner has ownership of the land and property on it defined in Land Sale Contract (called ท.ด. 13) issued by Department of Land. Owner have legal right to allow himself/herself or other representative to be the Head of Household.
- Head of Household has the status on the Tabien Baan (Thai House Book) in contacting with Local Manipulative (Amphur)
What is the process work?
As mentioned earlier, it is not necessary for Foreigner to obtain Thai House Book especially if he/she doesn’t plan to stay in Thailand permanently. However, if desire, it is recommended that Foreign Buyer “hire” a trusted representative to process these documents. Foreign Buyer can contact Real Estate Agent for more detail. Please note that before getting start, foreigner must have his/her passport translate by accredited translating office, approved by consulate office, and approved again by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Transfer Ownership of Electricity Usage
To prevent person time on the document and cumbersome processes, it is recommended that Foreign Buyer hires a trusted outsource to process transferring ownership of electricity and waterworks usage due to not centralized service center and complicated document(s) required. Foreign Buyers should contact his/her Real Estate Agent for recommendation of trusted outsource. Also, here is list of document to be prepared.
List of required documents for Transfer of Personal Ownership
- Total of 2-3 copies of seller’s ID Card signed for “เพื่อขอเปลี่ยน/โอนผู้ใช้ไฟฟ้าและเงินประกันการใช้ไฟฟ้า”
- Total of 2-3 copies of seller’s Thai House Book signed.
- Total of 4-6 copies of buyer’s Passport signed.
- Original electricity bill and receipt from latest month. (from Seller)
- Original receipt for electricity guarantee deposit. (from Seller) If lost, the process will require additional forms and documents to request the replacement documents.
- Copy of Land Sale Contract (called “ท.ด.13”) issue by Department of Land stating buyer’s name and address representing premise of installation.
- Total of 2-3 Power of Attorney form signed by seller (to foreign buyer or his/her representative) and 2-3 forms signed by buyer (if applicable as someone represent foreign buyer)
- Total of 2-3 copy of ID Card and Thai House Book of foreign buyer’s representative (if applicable).
Transfer Ownership of Waterworks Usage
Again, to prevent person time on the document and cumbersome processes, it is recommended that Foreign Buyer hires a trusted outsource to process transferring ownership of electricity and waterworks usage due to not centralized service center and complicated document(s) required. Foreign Buyers should contact his/her Real Estate Agent for recommendation of trusted outsource. Also, here is list of document to be prepared.
List of required documents for Transfer of Personal Ownership
- Total of 2 copies of seller’s ID Card signed for “เพื่อขอเปลี่ยน/โอนผู้ใช้ไฟฟ้าและเงินประกันการใช้ไฟฟ้า”
- Total of 2 copies of seller’s Thai House Book signed.
- Total of 4 copies of buyer’s Passport signed.
- Original waterworks bill and receipt from latest month. (from Seller).
- Original receipt for waterworks guarantee deposit. (from Seller). If lost, the process will require additional forms and documents to request the replacement documents.
- Copy of Land Sale Contract (called “ท.ด.13”) issue by Department of Land stating buyer’s name and address representing premise of installation.
- Total of 2 Power of Attorney form signed by seller (to foreign buyer or his/her representative) and 2 forms signed by buyer (if applicable as someone represent foreign buyer)
- Total of 2 copy of ID Card and Thai House Book of foreign buyer’s representative (if applicable).
Our team hope that provided information will be beneficial to help you understand and better prepare for the process. If you still have questions or concerns after reading the information above, please feel free to contact our office for more information and process checklist of Property Ownership Transfer thru this link
Superior Property : /@sp6666
We look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Superior Property Real Estate Agency