Glossary · Types of home
Villa
Also called: Pool villa, House
In short
A detached house on its own plot, in resort areas usually with a private pool. Because foreign nationals cannot own land in Thailand, a villa is bought through a structure, most often a lease of the land.
What it means
In the Thai market a villa is a detached house on its own plot, sold either inside an estate with shared roads and security or as a single house. A pool villa has a private pool. Townhouses and semi-detached houses are sold in the same way.
How a foreign buyer holds one
A foreign national cannot own the land in their own name. The usual structure is a registered lease of the land, for up to 30 years, combined with ownership of the house itself. Other registered rights, such as superficies, are sometimes used alongside the lease.
Holding the land through a Thai company is lawful only with real Thai shareholders. Arrangements that use Thai shareholders in name only are illegal.
What to check
- The land title, which should be a Chanote, and what is registered against it.
- Legal access from the plot to a public road.
- Whether the estate holds a land allocation licence, and who owns and maintains the roads.
- The warranty terms in your own contract. Villas have no standard contract of the kind condominiums have.