In this guide
What You Get for Your Money
Phuket's long-term house rental market divides roughly into three tiers: basic/local houses (Thai families rent these out, simple finish, no pool), expat-built pool houses (the sweet spot for most expat budgets), and luxury villas (developer-managed, premium locations, premium prices).
Most expat families end up in the middle tier: a 3-bedroom house with a small private pool, air-conditioning throughout, fitted kitchen, and Western-standard bathrooms. In Rawai or Chalong, that costs ฿40,000–65,000/month in 2026. The same property in Bang Tao would cost ฿70,000–110,000/month.
A few important things Phuket houses come with that you may not expect:
- AC in every bedroom — a must, not a luxury
- Water tank/pump systems — most houses have roof tanks and booster pumps; check these work before signing
- Separate electricity meters may or may not be present — affects what rate you pay
- Mosquito screens — often missing, worth requesting or budgeting to add (฿500–1,500/window)
- Garden maintenance — some landlords include a weekly gardener; clarify upfront
2026 House Rental Prices by Area
Prices below are for long-term leases of 6 months or more. Short-term (1–3 months) can be 30–60% higher. All prices in Thai baht per month.
| Area | 2-Bed No Pool | 3-Bed Pool Villa | 4-Bed Pool Villa | Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rawai / Nai Harn | ฿18,000–30,000 | ฿40,000–65,000 | ฿65,000–100,000 | Best all-round for expat families |
| Chalong | ฿12,000–22,000 | ฿30,000–55,000 | ฿55,000–85,000 | Most practical, cheapest pool houses |
| Bang Tao / Laguna | ฿30,000–50,000 | ฿70,000–120,000 | ฿110,000–200,000+ | Premium, near BISP, lifestyle-focused |
| Kamala | ฿22,000–38,000 | ฿50,000–85,000 | ฿80,000–140,000 | Quieter, growing expat community |
| Phuket Town | ฿10,000–20,000 | ฿25,000–45,000 | ฿40,000–70,000 | Affordable, walkable, less touristic |
| Kata / Karon | ฿20,000–35,000 | ฿45,000–75,000 | ฿70,000–115,000 | Beach access, surf crowd |
| Surin / Cherng Talay | ฿28,000–45,000 | ฿65,000–110,000 | ฿100,000–180,000 | Luxury market, Boat Avenue proximity |
| Patong | ฿15,000–28,000 | ฿35,000–60,000 | ฿55,000–90,000 | Beach access but very touristy |
How to Find a Long-Term Rental
The Phuket rental market is not well-organised. There is no MLS, listings appear and disappear rapidly, and many of the best properties are never formally advertised. Here's how to find them.
Facebook Groups (Best for Long-Term)
The most reliable channel for genuine long-term rentals in Phuket. Key groups:
- Phuket Expats — general expat group, regular rental posts
- Phuket Long Term Rentals — dedicated rental group, active
- Rawai Expats / Bang Tao & Cherng Talay Community — area-specific groups with local landlord posts
- Phuket Buy Sell Rent — mixed but includes good properties
Post your own "looking for" ad in multiple groups. Describe your budget, number of bedrooms, area preference, and move-in date. You'll get direct messages from landlords and agents within hours.
Local Agents
Use agents who specialise in long-term rentals, not short-term holiday rentals. Many Phuket real estate agencies primarily serve the holiday villa market — their prices are inflated accordingly. Ask specifically about their long-term portfolio. Agent fees are typically paid by the landlord (1 month's rent), not the tenant — so there's usually no cost to using a good agent.
Driving Around
Old-fashioned but effective, especially in Rawai, Chalong, and Nai Harn. Many landlords put Thai-language signs on their gates. If you see a house you like, knock or call the number on the sign. Some of the best-value rentals I've seen in Phuket were found this way.
Online Portals
DDProperty and Hipflat have Phuket listings but coverage is patchy for houses (better for condos). Airbnb and booking platforms are holiday pricing — not relevant for long-term searches.
The Contract: What to Check
Phuket rental contracts range from a single A4 page to a comprehensive bilingual document. Regardless of format, make sure these points are covered:
- Rental amount in THB — not dollars or euros; currency risk stays with you either way, but THB is cleaner
- Lease term — start date, end date, renewal process
- Security deposit — standard is 2 months; more than 3 months is unusual and worth questioning
- Electricity rate — this is critical (see Utilities section below)
- Who is responsible for maintenance — pool, AC servicing, garden, appliances
- Early termination — notice period (standard is 30 days), deposit implications
- Sub-letting — whether it's permitted (relevant if you travel long-term)
Utilities and Hidden Costs
Beyond rent, budget for these monthly costs on a Phuket house:
| Cost Item | Low | Typical | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | ฿2,500 | ฿4,500 | ฿9,000+ | AC usage is the main variable |
| Water | ฿300 | ฿600 | ฿1,200 | Very cheap; mostly PWA or tank-fill |
| Internet (fibre) | ฿590 | ฿799 | ฿1,200 | AIS or True, 300–1,000 Mbps |
| Pool maintenance | ฿1,500 | ฿2,500 | ฿4,000 | Weekly service; often included |
| Garden/cleaning | ฿1,000 | ฿2,000 | ฿4,000 | Optional; some landlords include |
| AC servicing | ฿300/unit | ฿400/unit | ฿600/unit | Every 3–4 months, per unit |
| Drinking water | ฿200 | ฿400 | ฿800 | 20L jugs or RO filter |
A realistic total for a 3-bedroom pool house family: add ฿8,000–15,000/month on top of rent for utilities and maintenance. Factor this into your budget when comparing rental prices.
The Moving-In Process
Once you've agreed terms and signed a contract, the standard process is:
- Pay deposit + first month — typically 3 months' rent total upfront (2 deposit + 1 advance)
- Document condition on move-in — photograph every room, every appliance, every scratch. Send to landlord via Line/WhatsApp with date stamps. This protects your deposit on exit.
- Get meter readings — electricity and water meter readings on day one, confirmed with landlord in writing
- Confirm utilities setup — who you call for internet installation (AIS: 1175, True: 1686), whether the pool service is already arranged
- TM30 registration — your landlord is legally required to file a TM30 notifying immigration of your address. Remind them; many forget. You'll need proof of TM30 registration for visa extensions at Phuket Immigration, Phuket Road.
Red Flags When Viewing Houses
- No separate electricity meter — means you'll pay landlord rate, not PEA rate
- Roof water tank that hasn't been cleaned — check the tank lid; green or black interior means poor maintenance
- AC units older than 5 years with no service history — expensive to repair; ask when they were last serviced
- Low-lying garden or driveway — Phuket floods during monsoon (May–October); a house 10cm below road level will flood
- Holiday rental history — some landlords alternate between Airbnb and long-term tenants; the price will be inflated and the furniture worn
- Landlord living on-site — can be great (quick repairs) or intrusive depending on personality; clarify privacy expectations upfront
- No written contract offered — always insist. A verbal agreement in Thai that you can't read is not protection.