I booked my current hotel on booking.com and the hotel on its webpage did not disclose that a security deposit was required. they sprung it on me when I arrived. I suspect that since they did not disclose it, they can't legitimately require it without violating Booking.com‘s policies but I did not raise the issue with either management or booking.com because I just don’t want the hassle.
I'm wondering though :
has it always been the norm in Bangkok for hotels and short term rental places to require a security deposit or is it a recent phenomenon?
I have stayed in many hotels as well as done monthly rentals all over Southeast Asia and never once has anyone asked me for a security deposit. Maybe I just got lucky? I have only stayed in Bangkok before two times on short trips but I wasn’t asked for a security deposit then either.
now I am looking for monthly rentals on Airbnb and I have noticed that some places say they require a security deposit equal to one months rent. others don’t mention this in their listing, but then neither did my current hotel, yet they still asked for one when I arrived.
I don't mind the hotel so much because it's a small sum, but I really don't want to pay a security deposit of one months rent for a place that I am only renting for one month in the first place. if I decide to go home afterwards or travel to another country, I will just have to convert the returned cash to another currency and will end up taking a loss as a result of the conversion fee.
Should I assume when looking at monthly rentals on Airbnb that the renters are going to ask for a security deposit equal to the amount of the rent even if they don't state this (like my current hotel did)? Is it a good idea to ask about this before booking a place?
Also, Is it possible to get renters to waive the deposit if you talk to them about it and assure them you will take good care of the apartment? Or can you negotiate to get the amount of the deposit reduced?
Would like to hear about others experiences with this and would appreciate any tips.
