In a move to address numerous complaints from condominium buyers, the Thai government enacted Condominium Act No. 4 (2008) which significantly expanded the scope of consumer protection by amending several provisions of the original Condominium Act made thirty years previously. The original Act has been amended three times in attempts to keep the law up to date with new private sector developments and practices, however the 2008 amendment was one of the most comprehensive overhauls by extending buyer protection, enacting additional requirements and duties for developers, and modifying restrictions on foreign ownership.
Buyer Protection: Previously there were few legal provisions to protect buyers. Potential buyers risked exposure to developer bankruptcies, unfair contracts, unfinished or substandard construction, disputes over maintenance fees, and various other problems. An aggrieved buyer’s only options were to file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Board and hope that the Board would take action, or initiate a potentially lengthy and expensive legal case against the developer. Amendment No. 4 contained several provisions designed to protect condominium buyers.
Standardized Form Contract: A key provision in the new armory is a requirement that purchase contracts between the developer and buyer conform to a standard format prescribed by the Ministry of the Interior. This format promotes a degree of uniformity and certainty in purchase contracts. Furthermore, any clauses in a purchase contract that deviate from the standard format and are not in favor of the buyer will not be enforceable. The required clauses include basic information such as the developer’s ownership in the land and the location, price, and size of the condominium and development complex. More importantly, one of the required clauses is a detailed objective of the usage of every area of the condominium including individual condominiums, common property and facilities. This provision addresses prior buyer complaints of developers who changed the common area for other uses or built additional units over common areas.
Accurate advertising: Developers must also take careful steps to ensure that their advertisements to the public such as pictures, statements or brochures, truthfully and accurately represent the completed condominium. Since 2008 any advertisement for the sale of a condominium will be regarded as forming part of the purchase contract and any inconsistencies between the advertising and the actual purchase contract will be interpreted in favor of the buyer.
Additional duties and restrictions on developers:
Payment of monthly maintenance fees for unsold units: In the past disputes often arose between developers and buyers over payment of maintenance fees for units which had not been sold, resulting in a shortfall of maintenance funds. Since 2008 the developer is responsible for paying taxes, common services expenses, and common maintenance expenses for units to which ownership has not yet been transferred.
Operation of businesses within condominium: There are also new restrictions on the operation of businesses within the condominium. Specifically businesses are only allowed to operate in designated areas, and the developer must arrange for separate entrances and exits for these businesses in order to protect residents rom noise and disturbances.
Penalties for violations: The new amendment provided a comprehensive list of penalties for developers who violate any of the new provisions. The biggest penalties are for violations of the standard form contract or for violations of accurate advertising, with fines between THB 50,000 and THB 100,000. A violation of the provisions regulating business use within the condominium carries a slightly lesser fine but with a small addition for each day the violation is not fixed.
Changes in restrictions of foreign ownership: Under the original Condominium Act foreigners were explicitly granted the right to purchase and own condominiums as long as foreign ownership of the total units within a development did not exceed 49%. Condominium Act No. 3 (1999) liberalized these restrictions and allowed foreigners or their holding companies to hold in aggregate over 49% in certain developments but since 2008 the 49% ceiling was reinstated, but, as we told you last month, for those who were fortunate to purchase their condominium in excess of that percentage during that time ownership is still protected.
Viewed as a whole, Condominium Act No. 4 (2008) is part of a larger consumer rights movement in Thailand. Along with the Escrow Act 2008, more of which will be explained later, the Thai government has been moving to address complaints of consumer fraud and abuse. In general, the new law created some minor burdens for developers while extending significant protection to consumers.
|
