🛑 Landlords Withholding Your Rental Deposit?

Here’s How You Can Sue Them for Free in Thailand

Recently, I’ve been hearing more and more stories from fellow agents about issues that arise when tenants move out of rental units.

Often, when a lease ends, landlords suddenly get clever—finding excuses to deduct “damage costs” from the 2-month security deposit… or in worse cases, they just don’t return the deposit at all, even when the unit is in nearly perfect condition.

Tenants feel they’ve been cheated.
Agents feel awkward and helpless, unsure how to push back—especially since the money is already with the landlord. It’s like trying to get sugarcane back from an elephant’s mouth.

You could try to sue… but then come the legal fees.
Court and lawyer costs could end up more than the deposit itself—which is why most people let it go and consider it a loss.

But what if I told you…

You can sue the landlord and not pay a single baht in legal fees?

Yes. It’s real. And here’s how.

👨‍⚖️ Let the Thai Consumer Council (TCC) Fight for You

You can file a complaint and let the Thai Consumer Council (TCC) handle the case for you.

✅ No legal fees
✅ No lawyer commission cuts
✅ Experienced legal team
✅ Proven track record of winning consumer cases

If the case is successful, you’ll receive 100% of the awarded damages, without losing any portion to legal fees.

🤔 So… What Does TCC Get in Return?

TCC isn’t a for-profit organization.
However, they may receive a separate compensation known as a “case handling fee” or honorarium, which the court allows them to claim from the losing party.

This amount is typically around 25–50% of the total damages, but it does not come out of the consumer’s share.

Example:

• Disputed security deposit = 30,000 THB
• TCC wins the case
• TCC may receive 7,500–15,000 THB as an honorarium (paid by the landlord)

You still get your full 30,000 THB back.

⚠️ TCC Can Also Publicly Expose Landlords

One powerful ability the TCC holds is the right to issue consumer warnings—and they can publicly name the offending landlord, legally, without risk of being sued for defamation.

If several victims report similar experiences with the same landlord, the TCC can even file a class-action lawsuit, making the case even stronger.

🧭 A Ray of Hope for Tenants and Agents

If you're a tenant who's being treated unfairly...
Or an agent stuck in the middle between a frustrated tenant and a stubborn landlord...
You can now take action.

Just call 1502 — the TCC hotline.

🧠 A Word for Landlords: Be Fair

Landlords, please understand:
Every investment comes with risks.
If someone has lived in your unit, some wear and tear is normal.
You shouldn’t pass every small expense onto the tenant.

Trying to nickel-and-dime your renters might end up costing you much more—in reputation, legal trouble, and future bookings.

🙏 Bonus Tip: Be Grateful, Be Generous

Even though the TCC offers these services free of charge, if they’ve helped you win your case, it’s only fair to show appreciation.

No need for cash—
Just a small gift, a thank-you note, or even a coffee goes a long way to support those who fight to protect consumer rights every day.

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