Moving apartments in Bangkok: timing, move-in/out rules, and what to sell before you go

    Moving in a Bangkok condo comes with details a detached house doesn't have: building rules, deposits, and a climate that can turn a moving day into a mess. Planning ahead saves both money and effort.

    Moving apartments in Bangkok: timing, move-in/out rules, and what to sell before you go
    Local lifeBy the Near Dee Trust & Safety teamLast updated: 5 min read

    Picking the right time to move

    Avoid moving between roughly August and October, the heaviest rainy months, when some sois flood — particularly around Lat Phrao, Bang Kapi, and areas near canals. November through February is drier with lighter traffic and conveniently lines up with when many one-year leases end.

    If you can't avoid moving in rainy season, check the forecast two to three days ahead and keep a spare waterproof tarp on hand in case of a sudden downpour mid-move.

    Move-in/move-out rules and deposits

    Most condos restrict moving hours — often no service lift use before 9am or after 8pm — and require 1-3 days' notice to book the lift. Many also charge a damage deposit, roughly ฿1,000-3,000, refunded once staff confirm there's no scratch on the walls or lift.

    Photograph the room's condition and the water/electric meters before returning the keys. This protects your security deposit, usually equal to 1-2 months' rent, which the contract should specify must be returned within 7-30 days.

    Hiring movers versus doing it yourself

    For a studio or one-bedroom with light belongings, booking a pickup truck through a delivery app for around ฿400-900 per trip is usually cheaper, but you'll need to load and carry things yourself. For two bedrooms or more, or bulky furniture, a full-service moving company starting from ฿2,500-6,000 (depending on distance and crew size) is usually worth it because it comes with damage coverage during transport.

    What to sell before moving, not carry with you

    • Oversized or built-in-style furniture that won't fit the new room, like a king bed moving into a smaller layout.
    • Appliances the new place already has, such as a water heater or microwave that comes with the unit.
    • Items unused for over a year — moving costs often exceed what they'd resell for.
    • Custom-fit items like curtains cut to the old room's exact dimensions.

    Transferring utilities and internet

    Notify the Metropolitan Electricity Authority and Metropolitan Waterworks Authority of the move at least 3-5 business days ahead. Call your internet provider 1-2 weeks in advance, since some areas need a technician visit for a new installation. If you're still under contract, ask about early-termination fees before switching providers or addresses.

    Don't forget to settle or transfer the common-area fee account with the old building's juristic office, and keep every payment receipt until your deposit is returned in full.

    A selling schedule counted back from six weeks

    • Six weeks before: list what you keep and what you sell, and photograph large furniture and appliances first; big items take longest to find buyers.
    • Four weeks before: cut the price of items with no interest by 10–15% and add 'moving sale' and pickup dates to the title.
    • Two weeks before: take reservations for things you need until the last day, such as the bed or fridge, on a 'pickup on moving day' basis.
    • One week before: switch remaining items to bundles or free giveaways; giving away is often cheaper than the condo's bulky-waste fee.
    • Moving day: book buyer pickups in 30-minute slots and register removals with the building office in advance.

    What to check before taking items out of a condo

    Most Bangkok condos require you to notify the juristic office (นิติบุคคล) before moving large items out. Without permission security may stop the buyer, so get the removal slip before they arrive. Many buildings only allow the service lift at set times.

    Before the deposit inspection, check wall holes, air-conditioner cleaning, and the landlord's furniture inventory. Selling the landlord's furniture by mistake leads to deductions and disputes.

    How to price moving-sale items

    Because time is limited, starting lower than a normal sale usually pays off. Start large furniture at 25–40% of the new price and one- or two-year-old appliances at 40–60%, then offer an extra discount when the buyer carries it away themselves.

    Questions that come up just before moving

    • Can I sell the air conditioner? Only if it is yours, not the condo's, and agree beforehand who pays removal and reinstallation, which usually costs a few thousand baht.
    • What if the buyer never shows up? Date-only bookings without a deposit invite no-shows; keep one backup buyer for last-minute items.
    • Moving abroad? Collect payments before you leave and close your bank account only after the sales schedule ends.
    • Do free giveaways need safety rules? Yes. Hand items over in the lobby or car park rather than inviting strangers inside.

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