Tips for Choosing a Two-Story Rental House You’ll Love
A two-story rental house is an excellent option for those not yet ready to invest in purchasing their own house, yet it offers enough space to accommodate a large household. But how do you choose the right one? Here are six tips you should know.
**Pros and Cons of Two-Story Rental Houses**
The appeal of a two-story rental house lies in its layout, which divides the living space into ground-floor and upper-floor areas. This configuration is particularly convenient for families with elderly members, as the ground floor eliminates the need to navigate stairs—a common obstacle for the elderly.
Additionally, two-story rental houses benefit families of all sizes by offering ample outdoor space—including greenery and large relaxation areas—where everyone can engage in shared activities. Whether it is dining together, hosting family gatherings, or enjoying casual events like a weekend *Moo Kratha* (Thai BBQ) party, these houses foster quality family time.
However, there are downsides to consider. These houses are often located away from the city center or lack proximity to mass transit lines, making them less suitable for those without a private vehicle. Furthermore, the larger living area often results in higher rent compared to condos, townhouses/townhouses, or single-story detached houses.
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**6 Tips for Choosing the Right Two-Story Rental House**
The principles for selecting a two-story rental house are largely the same as those for choosing any other type of residence, with only minor differences. When choosing a two-story rental house today, most families prioritize factors such as proximity to schools, workplaces, and hospitals, as well as budget suitability. However, there are several comprehensive factors to consider when making this choice.
1. Searching for Two-Story Rental houses
The most convenient, fast, and easy way to find a two-story rental house is through real estate marketplace websites. These platforms aggregate essential information—such as location, price, and amenities—making the process far more convenient than searching for a rental in person.
Searching online also helps narrow down your options. You can select just two or three properties that genuinely interest you to visit in person, saving you the fatigue and high travel costs associated with a broad, manual search.
2. Location and Commuting
Another crucial factor is planning your daily commute. Since you will need to travel from house to work or run various errands, you must assess whether the rental location offers convenient transportation.
If you rely primarily on the skytrain or subway but choose a rental house in a remote area requiring multiple transfers, your monthly commuting costs could become excessive, and your travel time would increase significantly. Therefore, it is advisable to look for a rental house near your workplace or business location to save both time and money on travel.
You might choose to prioritize proximity to one location over another to better accommodate at least one or two household members—for instance, selecting a rental house closer to your child's school than to your own workplace. To ensure convenient travel to school for your child:
3. Choose a two-story rental house with rent not exceeding 30% of your income.
Generally, an appropriate rent should not exceed 30% of your total income. For instance, if you earn 30,000 baht per month, the maximum rent you should pay is 9,000 baht. This is because, aside from rent, you will have other monthly expenses—such as water, electricity, transportation, internet, phone bills, and miscellaneous costs.
If the rent is too high, you might be left with no money for daily expenses or savings, or even fall into a financial deficit. Additionally, you need to budget for furniture or interior decor if the house is rented out unfurnished.
4. Assess the safety of the area surrounding the two-story rental house.
When moving into a new community, beyond just checking the location and nearby amenities, you must evaluate the level of safety. Look for features such as the project's security system—checking for entry/exit controls, security guards, and CCTV cameras installed in various areas.
However, if the rental house is not part of a managed housing project, you should consider the surrounding neighborhood and the nature of the area. Observe the neighbors and research whether there have been any incidents of theft or crime in the vicinity—checking online news or asking current residents—to ensure long-term safety.
5. A two-story rental house must meet all your needs
Another key factor when choosing a two-story rental house is ensuring the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and the overall living space align with the daily lifestyle needs of you and your family. Consider outdoor areas as well—such as whether there is sufficient parking and how much space surrounds the house. If you enjoy cooking, look for a house that features a Thai-style kitchen at the back.
6. Check out the surrounding amenities
Beyond transportation, it is important to assess the amenities in the neighborhood that facilitate a comfortable lifestyle. Check for nearby restaurants, coffee shops, convenience stores, fresh markets, shopping malls, or public parks. Having these facilities nearby gives you and your family places to unwind after a busy week of work or school—whether it’s exercising in the park or simply reading a book at a local café on the weekend.
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While condos and apartments are currently the most popular rental options, when it comes to living quality and shared family space, a two-story detached house—or even a two-story townhouse—often better meets the needs of families. Therefore, a two-story rental house remains an excellent option worth considering.
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Special thanks to DD Property for the information.
