Lawyer - AA&A Service By Apple - Anybody Know Her?

[Noz]

Does anyone have office details for a local lawyer lady going by the name of AA&A Service or Apple?

This lawyer drew up the rental contract for a property I have just left and her client (the house owner) is refusing to return all of our 17,000 baht deposit. I'd like to talk to the lawyer to see if she can talk some sense into her client.

The story (just for your amusement) is that having had her handyman look over the property and give it the thumbs up, the owner asked us to go to her gold shop to collect the deposit and then the games began. After about 15 minutes of looking at the contract (like she had never seen it before) and checking bills, she handed over 5,000 baht and went back about her work, ignoring us. When eventually asked she said she needed to pay for cleaning. Given we spent a full day cleaning this small property and it was in far better shape than when we went in, it was a ridiculous statement.

After a further half hour or more, in between the owner going about her business, generally ignoring us further and us trying to get her to talk to us, she then said she was keeping so much money because really we had initially talked about staying longer term and we were breaking the contract. Yet the contract is solid with the end date clearly specified as June 3rd, so it's pretty obvious she's just plain greedy. We eventually got a further 5,000 baht from her and weren't getting any further, so left before I got even angrier and risked trouble with her husband and the security guard. Remarkably I did little more than raise my voice slightly but now wishing perhaps I should have made more of a scene as at least I'd have felt a lot better!

I could list the reasons why we left the property but suffice to say there are major problems with the house that the owner is not interested in addressing (plumbing being the main one) but she won't fork out any cash. She is also keen to sell the place and at the same time was demanding 6 months rent upfront for a new contract. So you can see why I wasn't interested in staying on and what motivates this person. i.e. money.

Now I can live without 7,000 baht but am disgusted by how this person has acted and don't want to let her win so easily. I'm kicking myself for having handed back the keys without the deposit back in my hand but that's my fault for being so trusting. I will live and learn.

So I doubt the police would be of any help and actually hiring a lawyer to go after her would probably cost more than the money lost, so thought I'd try a word with her lawyer. Not holding out much hope but feel I should do something and there's a principle here. It's not a nice feeling to feel that there's absolutely nothing that I can do and this woman just stands there in her gold shop, surrounded by wealth, and just refuses to pay back my money.

Anyway, can't find anything on Google for the lawyer, so all I have is a phone number from the contract (which isn't being answered) and a company stamp on the contract which says AA&A Service by Apple. Does anyone know this lawyer or if she works out of an office?

Or does anyone have any other bright ideas before I write this off as another "This is Thailand" experience?

[Big Boy]

Don't forget today is a Bank Holiday, so she is probably not at work.

[kendo]

Does anyone have office details for a local lawyer lady going by the name of AA&A Service or Apple?

This lawyer drew up the rental contract for a property I have just left and her client (the house owner) is refusing to return all of our 17,000 baht deposit. I'd like to talk to the lawyer to see if she can talk some sense into her client.

The story (just for your amusement) is that having had her handyman look over the property and give it the thumbs up, the owner asked us to go to her gold shop to collect the deposit and then the games began. After about 15 minutes of looking at the contract (like she had never seen it before) and checking bills, she handed over 5,000 baht and went back about her work, ignoring us. When eventually asked she said she needed to pay for cleaning. Given we spent a full day cleaning this small property and it was in far better shape than when we went in, it was a ridiculous statement.

After a further half hour or more, in between the owner going about her business, generally ignoring us further and us trying to get her to talk to us, she then said she was keeping so much money because really we had initially talked about staying longer term and we were breaking the contract. Yet the contract is solid with the end date clearly specified as June 3rd, so it's pretty obvious she's just plain greedy. We eventually got a further 5,000 baht from her and weren't getting any further, so left before I got even angrier and risked trouble with her husband and the security guard. Remarkably I did little more than raise my voice slightly but now wishing perhaps I should have made more of a scene as at least I'd have felt a lot better!

I could list the reasons why we left the property but suffice to say there are major problems with the house that the owner is not interested in addressing (plumbing being the main one) but she won't fork out any cash. She is also keen to sell the place and at the same time was demanding 6 months rent upfront for a new contract. So you can see why I wasn't interested in staying on and what motivates this person. i.e. money.

Now I can live without 7,000 baht but am disgusted by how this person has acted and don't want to let her win so easily. I'm kicking myself for having handed back the keys without the deposit back in my hand but that's my fault for being so trusting. I will live and learn.

So I doubt the police would be of any help and actually hiring a lawyer to go after her would probably cost more than the money lost, so thought I'd try a word with her lawyer. Not holding out much hope but feel I should do something and there's a principle here. It's not a nice feeling to feel that there's absolutely nothing that I can do and this woman just stands there in her gold shop, surrounded by wealth, and just refuses to pay back my money.

Anyway, can't find anything on Google for the lawyer, so all I have is a phone number from the contract (which isn't being answered) and a company stamp on the contract which says AA&A Service by Apple. Does anyone know this lawyer or if she works out of an office?

Or does anyone have any other bright ideas before I write this off as another "This is Thailand" experience?

If the lawyer is acting on behalf of the landlord i would be surprised if she will even talk to you, maybe you should seek your own lawyer to make contact.

Their is one that sponsors this website.

Kendo.

[dtaai-maai]

I do understand your frustration, but you really should consider yourself lucky that you got so much back. Most of us renters have been stung like this at least once, probably for more than 7k.

You're on a loser. Don't let it fester. Forget about it and move on.

[mat]

Just send you a pm with her phone number.
Apple is 100 % reliable, no worries about that, but i don't know if she can change much for you since it is the owner that decides and can do what she wants, knowing you will never go court for this amount.
By the way, with the houses i rented before i never received 1 baht deposit back. Seems like standard practice to most Thai home owners that rent out.

[advocate]

Most of them have no intention of giving it back from the beginning.

We just went through the same thing. Constant delays and doubletalk. Finally got the wife to say there was a very high ranking policeman coming to see the landlord about the theft of our deposit.

They paid it back within the hour.

However this woman hving a gold shop obviously has money and may be connected.

I would offer half of the money to the highest ranking policeman I could find to pay her a visit.

[JimmyGreaves]

I hear that the best way is to make excuses about the paying the last months rent before you leave, this gives you a bit of leeway.

[advocate]

I hear that the best way is to make excuses about the paying the last months rent before you leave, this gives you a bit of leeway.

Actually, most Thais do this. Many tell the landlord to apply the deposit to the last months rent. The landlords expect this, as it seems to be common practice.

[Big Boy]

Most of them have no intention of giving it back from the beginning.

I can't agree with the word 'most' - we've never failed to get our deposit back after many rentals. IMHO you should moderate that to 'some'.

There'll always be a few bad apples. Unfortunately, people don't report the times they get their deposit back.

[advocate]

I can't comment on other posters success getting deposits back.
But out of 6 rentals, I've had problems getting deposit back with 4, which to me is a majority or most as posted earlier.

The 2 who gave it back promptly were absolute gems,and we still keep in touch.

[MrPlum]

If you deduct the last months rent from the deposit, aren't you negating one of the reasons for the deposit in the first place? To compensate for repairs. In my experience there is always something to be found. The onus now falls on the landlord to chase you and hear excuses like 'the door was broken when we arrived' or 'it just came off in my hand'.

[dtaai-maai]

I can't agree with the word 'most' -

I can.

[Big Boy]

OK, I personally think people don't tell us good news stories when they get their deposits back. On the assumption they may tick a box, I'll start a poll.

[bonnielass]

Universal problem.

We have some real bad-ass Landlords here, won't do any repairs and refuse to give deposit back.
Even the UK Gov has brought in legislation to deal with these gangsters.

As one poster said, although it goes against the grain, probably best to just let it go.
Not worth bringing trouble on your head over 7000 B.

[dtaai-maai]

OK, I personally think people don't tell us good news stories when they get their deposits back. On the assumption they may tick a box, I'll start a poll.

Aaaargh!! Okay, okay, all landlords are wonderful!!