What Ownership Documents Should I Review before Choosing Condo or Villa?

Review the paper trail that defines who owns what and what you’ll actually pay for. For a Phuket condo, look for the unit title in the foreign buyer's name or in a Thai-registered company, the condo’s share of common property, and the juristic-person's rules and current minutes so you know planned upgrades and fees. Check the master deed and the rules on subletting, use of facilities, and any debt or mortgage against the building. Confirm the foreign-ownership quota and whether the transfer can proceed, plus who pays transfer and taxes at completion. Review the current maintenance fees, the sinking fund balance, what the fees cover (security, lifts, pools, gardens), and the service contracts with the management company. For a villa, verify the land title status (chanote or long-term lease), any encumbrances, building permits and zoning, and who is responsible for roads and infrastructure if it’s part of a gated estate. Ask for an independent building inspection and a tax/ownership briefing from a qualified adviser. Have a lawyer compare the contract terms, penalties on late payments, and who bears which costs. This helps you understand ongoing obligations and the exit path before you commit.