More Than 30 Post-it Notes on the Stairs Alone
Only a Partial Deposit Returned, With the Rest Claimed for Repairs
A story has emerged of a tenant in Thailand suffering from a landlord who is refusing to return the security deposit. On the 2nd, local Thai media such as Khaosod reported on tenant A's story. Recently, A, who moved out, contacted the landlord of the previous rental house to get back a security deposit of 110,000 baht (about 4.74 million won). However, the landlord informed A that the deposit could not be returned.
Over 300 Post-it notes placed all over the house by the landlord, saying the security deposit will not be returned until scratches and other damages are repaired. Facebook
The landlord demanded that A repair all the damages throughout the house in order to get the deposit back. When A went to the previous house to check the damages the landlord mentioned, A was shocked. The places marked with Post-it notes as damaged by the landlord numbered about 300. According to photos shared online by A, even the 13-step wooden staircase had more than 30 Post-it notes attached.
A stated that when signing the initial lease, the house was new, and including the first month’s rent, they paid 165,000 baht (about 7.12 million won). A also explained that since the house had no flat ceiling, some parts of the ceiling had been patched. A said that a few scratches occurred while moving furniture, and when they called a repairman, he said, “The damage is not severe and it’s not broken,” so A thought these were normal wear and tear.
Over 300 Post-it notes placed all over the house by the landlord, saying the security deposit will not be returned until scratches and other damages are repaired. Facebook
A thought it was excessive to find 300 damages, but considering some responsibility, A cleaned, painted, polished, and removed curtains, taking care of the interior and exterior. However, despite A’s follow-up actions, the landlord pointed out that the paint color was slightly different and claimed new stains had appeared, refusing to return the deposit. Later, the landlord notified A that part of the deposit would be used for repairs and returned only 20,000 baht (about 860,000 won) out of the 110,000 baht deposit along with a repair cost invoice. Troubled by the landlord’s actions, A is considering whether to file a lawsuit and sought advice from netizens. Thai netizens were outraged by A’s story. Those who saw the photos A posted said, “The house still looks like a new house,” and responded, “If you’re afraid of that level of damage, you shouldn’t have rented the house in the first place.” Some netizens suspected, “It seems the landlord is nitpicking because the deposit to be returned is insufficient.”
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