Which is best, house or apartment? Renting in Siem Reap, Cambodia!

[@ForRiel]

Regarding electricity, I have seen apartments advertised recently with a rate of 0.30 USD (1,225 Riel) / kWh. Do not take a property with a rate this high. The normal rate for an apartment is 0.25 USD (1,000 Riel) / kWh. In a house, you should expect to pay the standard rate which is 0.18 USD (730 Riel) / kWh. When we are away for a few weeks out of a month, the rate drops to 0.15 USD (610 Riel) / kWh. Regarding deposits, never pay more than one month. If a landlord is asking for two months, walk away.

[@Cohowarren]

Claire is so helpful! TY

[@sandrabackhouse4397]

Thanks Claire for all the info delivered with a touch of humour, especially Jebs cameo role as the maid. So well done.

[@ForRiel]

Thanks San! I made it on a whim and had a bit of fun with it.

[@adriancoates3455]

Thank you, for the heads up! Always better be informed than un-informed.

[@ForRiel]

Thanks for watching and commenting ☺️☺️

[@LJ-jq8og]

Great topic Clair 🙏

[@ForRiel]

Thank you!

[@LJ-jq8og]

@@ForRiel IDEA💡 Could you do a video on "aging at home" in Cambodia... IDEA: The idea of hiring local "in-house" help, instead of assisting living back home...

[@SteveSmith-zz4ih]

Great Thanks Miss Clare, need Jeeza to wear the Kitchen apron 😁 next time. How would you go leasing a house and letting out the room to say a OS teacher or similar, that way you could nick off for a week or 2 and someone is looking after the house? Win-Win

[@ForRiel]

You could try that, but because studios and 1 bedroom apartments are so cheap, most people live in their own place. It would be good if both parties travelled a lot as you say. Interesting idea.

[@fasteddy60]

Excellent topic, great presentation. I had to laugh when you mentioned the "motorbike mirror", one of my biggest peeves. Finally, my mirrors are safe now! 🤣Thanks for sharing with us all Claire. 😎✌ BTW,,,nice hat! :)

[@ForRiel]

Oh, the moto mirror used to drive me nuts! Now if it's bumped, there's only one person who could be responsible.... 🙄🤣

[@fasteddy60]

@@ForRiel hahahaha 😆

[@ethicpereira139]

Claire that was some good information about renting. I keep watching your videos since god willing if everything goes well I plan to visit Cambodia and thanks of the information.

[@ForRiel]

Wonderful, thank you for watching. I hope you can make it to the Kingdom soon!

[@mhouse1572]

Great job.., appreciate your efforts to help newbies to the Kingdom…

[@ForRiel]

Thank you so much!

[@peterrawai4062]

Again, valuable info. Thx for your videos.

[@ForRiel]

Glad you like them, and thank you for watching!

[@geryaeschlimann8316]

Some agents use a lot of photoshop to spice up the pictures of their proerties. If you want a shaded outdoor area, then a house is usually better. This saves AC time and therefore $. Also, kitchens are often bigger than a post office counter.

[@ForRiel]

Yes, and the shaded area keeps a bit of sun off the house, too. Thanks for watching.

[@MichaelDaniel123]

The hospitals look nice enough. The apartments, homes, I have seen videos of are built to fit western people just right. Prices are good. I plan to do some visits to S R soon. Check it real life, myself. Thanks for the videos. You brought me to S R more than P P now.

[@ForRiel]

That's the best thing to do. Get on the ground here and see which place feels right for you. Siem Reap is more affordable, but if you like big cities, Phnom Penh might suit you better.

[@owlscoffeecats]

🎉🎉🎉 Thank you Claire!!! All your incredible information is important!

[@ForRiel]

Glad you think so, thank you for watching 😁 🙏

[@cosmicadventurer1999]

Definitely good information!

[@ForRiel]

Thank you!

[@MadeNCda]

Thanks for this review and breakdown of benefits Claire. Glad it is still affordable for both lovals and foreigners. I think as a single woman and apt would give me peace although i would want security and a pool 😊

[@ForRiel]

Totally understand, apartments are fantastic for Security. Plus a studio is enough room and cheaper to aircon.

[@chrisryan238]

Great Claire (& your co-star Jeremy)! Thanx for a fun, informative and well researched video… love your work love your work 😊

[@ForRiel]

So pleased you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.

[@cigar401]

If the real estate prices go up to what they were before COVID. Can you give some idea of what the prices were for a studio apartment or a one bedroom?

[@ForRiel]

I think at the lower end, prices were $100 higher, and at the higher end, maybe $150 - $200 higher. In my opinion, it will be a long time before prices return to those levels. There is a lot of construction and new apartments being added to the pool all the time.

[@cigar401]

@@ForRiel I hope so I hope they don't come up anytime soon. Because I'm moving over there in May. And I will be on social security. And in the United States, they say the average recipient of social security is only $1400 a month LOL. So if they keep going up I don't know where i'd rather be homeless. In cambodia or united states l o l probably cambodia

[@ForRiel]

I don't think you have anything to worry about. Also, you are arriving in low season, so you'll have your pick of places for $200.

[@cigar401]

@@ForRiel Cool. Thank you for your quick response.

[@PVillapah]

Valuable info, Thanks!

[@ForRiel]

Thanks for watching!

[@carldseekingpeace]

Very entertaining, thanks.

[@ForRiel]

Glad you enjoyed it 🤣🤣🤣

[@markbigelow2608]

I had offered to stay 1yr at my apt place but the owner wanted 2month deposit so i kept it at 6mo at a time with 1mo deposit. Weird.

[@ForRiel]

That makes absolutely no sense! Crazy that they would try to insist on that.

[@gregoriopuro]

Hi Claire. . what internet speed do you get for $20 per month ?

[@ForRiel]

70 up and down. Very reliable and it's our own private connection.

[@paulsandberg6444]

Great info!

[@ForRiel]

Thank you 😊

[@eugenedesnouettes]

Hi the both of you thank you for all the information on your great videos.

[@ForRiel]

Thank you. Appreciate you watching!

[@guydedecker6734]

Thank you, Claire, for providing such valuable advice. I wanted to seek your opinion on the topic of buying a house or apartment as an investment. Do you believe it would be a wise investment decision in Siem Reap?

[@ForRiel]

We wouldn't invest in property here. The banks are offering good investment rates for cash and are a less risky option, but still not iron-clad. Proceed with much caution.... ⚠️

[@guydedecker6734]

Thank you 🙏

[@Dakota-t8n]

Fun video!! Thanks for the humor :) :)

[@ForRiel]

So glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@KB3TLE]

" Best " -- for whom ? --- I'm a single old man and it's a - 'no brainer' - for me ! --- A small frugal studio - cheap & easy to clean --&-- cool would be my idea of "ideal" ? Perhaps 24 - 7 AC if needed to be comfortable and not sweating. -- Not for everybody certainly. -- I can't cook worth a damn - but eating out can be so affordable in S R - I likely would do it daily - or have some delivered occasionally ! - - - I enjoy all your videos.

[@ForRiel]

Definitely a small studio is optimal for most single people moving to Cambodia 🇰🇭

[@KennethCouch-m2k]

Can you still get an apartment for $200 American

[@ForRiel]

Yes, many to choose from. Not a problem at all.

[@jormatheexplora]

Great vid! You’re really tempting me. That’s a sweet place for $300

[@ForRiel]

It was a fun one to make. We got lucky with this place, but heaps of good deals to be had. Hope you guys are well.

[@franciscusjohannesburger3720]

Thanks for the info Claire 😊.

[@ForRiel]

You’re welcome 😊

[@jeffkravitz9109]

Good vid - are power outages a problem in SR?

[@ForRiel]

No, when they occur, they are usually only a few minutes in duration so no big deal.

[@travelaroundlife]

thanks

[@ForRiel]

Thanks for watching 🐘

[@BrentHiggins01]

Definitely an opportunity lost. Why is Jeremy NOT wearing a French maid outfit??? Disappointed.

[@ForRiel]

Unfortunately it was in the wash and we couldn't wait for it to make the video. I am sure there will be another opportunity. Perhaps a remake of the 'I want to break free' video.

[@BrentHiggins01]

@@ForRiel Very clever. 👍 The Brian May role?

[@isabodrexler1402]

Great information. Does anybody know the usual broker commission?

[@ForRiel]

The owner pays, and it's usually one month’s rent.

[@isabodrexler1402]

@@ForRiel 🙏👍

[@robertpfister363]

Just wanted to know if there is a shop I can buy electrical adapters to use my British 3 prong cell phone charger in Cambodia. I have a mix of European 2 prong and American 3 prong plugs.

[@ForRiel]

Yes, those are readily available and very cheap.

[@wizehopt]

Do you know any foreigners who have purchased a home under IPS's new deal where they register it under their name? I went in a few months back and it sounds like a promising option for foreigners to have some land, but curious if anyone has had any experience with the process yet?

[@ForRiel]

No, I wasn't aware of it either. I do know some people who have purchased apartments, but that's nothing new. I'd be very careful about investing more than you are willing to lose. It's not something we would ever consider, but each to their own.

[@GRB777]

Is crime a serious problem in Cambodia? If I rent a house, is there a real risk of a home invasion robbery? That's very common in the US.

[@ForRiel]

Very rare, like most crime in Cambodia. Some KZbinrs like to make out Cambodia is full of crime but that is not true.

[@roshmosar6504]

How is the electricity in Siem Reap? Do they have the consistency of electricity?

[@ForRiel]

Yes, it is very reliable and stable these days. You can also find apartments that have generators if it's crucial that you don't lose connectivity.

[@elementkx]

I need that Krud cap.

[@ForRiel]

A LOT of effort went into getting that cap!

[@nyctaxicabtales4359]

WHO PAYS REAL ESTATE COMMISSION ? HOW MUCH IS COMMISSION ? HOW MANY MONTHS DEPOSIT?

[@ForRiel]

Answer in the other comment 😇

[@Peteripattaya]

Hi. How is it with malaria in siem reap? Does it exist?

[@ForRiel]

Not in Siem Reap, but still prevalent in more remote areas of Cambodia.

[@HouthKimluy]

Hi I am going to Cambodia in may and goner stay there for 3 week. I want to look for a place for my girl friend and me stay at. can you link me a website that i can look at?

[@ForRiel]

For three weeks, your best bet would be to stay in a hotel. Apartments are generally 6 months or longer. Contact some hotels directly to ask about this.

[@HouthKimluy]

@@ForRiel Thank you so much.

[@w.m.p-w8989]

One BR apartment with pool ( covered) walking distance to restaurants and Psar/ market… luxury at $500/budget…

[@ForRiel]

Yes, you can get really nice places here for that kind of money. Love it!

[@gochan73]

I thoroughly enjoy watching your videos, and I must say, the presence of Jeremy cleaning in the background never fails to bring a smile to my face. It adds a delightful touch of humor to your content.

[@ForRiel]

I'm so pleased you are enjoying our videos in the spirit we intend! We want to give information but not make it too serious. Thank you for watching.

[@ForRiel]

I'm trialling a new time for the premiere of this video. I hope it works for you, and if it does, I'll try to schedule more around this time.

[@seanriley8448]

Isn't this like o dark 30 for you?

[@Charlie-phlezk]

Early morning Cambodia, indeed. 😊 G'day!

[@ForRiel]

@@seanriley8448 6am, but I am an early riser!

[@seanriley8448]

@@ForRiel 4 pm here

[@pAuL-nb2ud]

Doesn’t matter to me /// I always check in to see new videos even if it doesn’t show up on my time line 🇰🇭 🗞 ❤️ ☮️

[@wneighbor2523]

Very nicely done ☑️

[@ForRiel]

Thank you so much. Always appreciate you watching.

[@NotYourAveargeAlien]

Nice timing, Thanks. Your maid has hairy legs!

[@ForRiel]

Thanks for tuning in! Yes, he certainly does :)

[@Cohowarren]

Or live in hotel. Don't have to pay power or internet. Room cleaned daily and breakfast. Laundry service. Plus security 24/7.

[@ForRiel]

That's certainly an option, particularly for a single person.

[@kanister21]

Many apartments have security 24/7 too.

[@andrewsmith19681]

Couple Hotels on Wot Bo road already offering $500 all up at moment. Had dinner across from one of them tonight, no lights on 1,2,3 floor so says it all.

[@andrewsmith19681]

@@kanister21crime such a big issue in SR, need those Security Guards😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@kanister21]

@@andrewsmith19681 it is! Biggest problems are thieves, mostly stolen motorbikes. But also breaking into homes are common. Never wondered why almost every home have barred windows and very high fences, some even with barbed wire?

[@Kristoferwitha_k]

My thinking would be a house would be more outside the city where you have little access to anything so you would either need to own a vehicle or rent one which would add to the cost on the bottom line so depending on your rent it may just even out to cost the same as an apartment. Also less chance people will speak english so if there are probs you are kinda SOL

[@ForRiel]

Yes, we have motos and really enjoy the freedom and range they give us. We had them when we lived in apartments as well because we like to get around to different parts of town or out to the temples, etc. Siem Reap is very small, and you're never far from help if you need it.

[@owlscoffeecats]

Claire, are there any extra fees attached to your electric bill? Here in 🇺🇸 there are sooo many extra fees sometimes it can equal half of the bill. Thank you Claire! Also the bathroom wall & toilet clip was funny 🤭

[@ForRiel]

Australian electricity bills are the same with access fees etc, but here it is just the usage, nothing else.

[@gosnooky]

I've rented houses and flats here for the last 16 years. Problems you'll at times encounter: 1) Never enough electric outlets where you need them, too many where you don't. No joke, my previous flat had ONE in the kitchen, but FOUR in the bedroom. This one seems universal whether it's a small bungalow in Kampot or a posh flat in PP. 2) Kitchen countertops are way too low. 3) Horrible lighting (bright fluorescents in the ceiling). 4) Awkward built-in shelving. 5) Fridge sometimes in the living area, not the kitchen. 6) Truly horrific floor tile color choices, especially in the bathroom. 7) That awkward window between the bedroom and living room in houses. 8) Bedrooms way bigger than they should be, and living rooms way smaller than they should be.

[@ForRiel]

You are so right. We have encountered all of these things. Some of the tile choices make me feel nauseous, and I don't know how much worse it would be after a few drinks. Fortunately, our house is very neutral, and the two weird light fittings are really the worst of it. The windows from the living area into the bedroom are crazy 🤣🤣🤣. I have seen bathrooms with full glass walls in bedrooms, and once even in the kitchen!

[@laurencehyde2168]

When you say dollars ,are you talking US or Aussie dollars?

[@ForRiel]

Always USD.

[@BattleRoyaleAction]

We also rented both houses and apartments in Siem Reap and Kampot (only had the expensive apartment in Phnom Penh). I preferred the houses for space, privacy, and a garden/fruit trees. Spot on with the differences. When is the house tour? Another tip is try to negotiate the upfront two months payment as last two months free rent to avoid losing your deposit when you move out.

[@ForRiel]

Sounds like you have had very similar experiences to us. Now that I have lived in a house, I much prefer it although our Phnom Penh apartment was very nice. Good tip re the deposit! 👌

[@tukicat1399]

when you talk about apartments, are you including the owner built ones as well, as they often have fewer common (if any) areas such as gyms etc,

[@ForRiel]

Yes, I'm referring to all apartments. They tend to be owner-built in Siem Reap although there are now some bigger complexes with facilities.

[@MichaelDaniel123]

I am now considering SIEM reap, more than Phnom Penh. I did not check the population there. SIEM reap has a large enough, but not like BKK, number.

[@ForRiel]

Siem Reap is very small. You can ride from one side to the other in about 15 minutes, so a lot smaller than Phnom Penh.

[@MichaelDaniel123]

@@ForRiel one site I checked said 60,000 people. Another said 200,000. Maybe first is city, 2nd is province. I think 60,000 is big enough, if one good private hospital.

[@ForRiel]

Yes, those numbers are city and province. There are a few good hospitals here and also proximity to Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur.

[@wildbill6366]

Very good information.. thank you very much..

[@ForRiel]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@debbierollason]

Hahaha! Jeremy dusting 😂 love the Krud hat! Great video! 🥰🥰🥰

[@ForRiel]

He only does it for the camera 🤣🤣🤣

[@andrewtaylor4558]

Weird design choices. 😂😂😂😂😂 So true! ❤️

[@ForRiel]

Weird at one end of the spectrum, ungodly on the other.... 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@TomTripsOut]

awesome video topic. very cool

[@ForRiel]

Cheers, Tom. Hope you are going well!

[@TomTripsOut]

@@ForRiel I just secured a part time teaching job at a language center today! So happy news. Working mornings, Home by noon. Teaching adults, language for workplace and business situations.

[@antruok4950]

Great presentation Toilet - knee in wall 😂 Thanks Claire & The Cleaner 😁

[@ForRiel]

Thanks so much! It was a fun one to make 🚽

[@lomor2n]

I used to rent an entire house (វីឡាតន្ត្រី Vila Dantrey = Music village) We feel refreshed, we could cook, We swam in the private pool. Your video make me want to Siem Reap again, I miss there so much.

[@ForRiel]

Sounds like a lovely place with a pool as well. Living in a house has some great advantages! Thanks for watching 👀

[@TruckerDude123]

You speak the truth about internet is as important as air, I'm moving and I made the mistake of counseling my internet a week before I was leaving now I'm using my neighbor's internet out of the kindness of his heart he licked me his code a lesson well learned and a lesson well spoken by you

[@ForRiel]

It's so awful to be without internet! Thanks so much for watching 👀 😊

[@anthonymercer1234]

Anthony from Melbourne Australia. We just wanted to say a huge thank you for your time and the information. I'm 55 and looking at Thailand and now Cambodia because of binge watching your video's 🙏. Fantastic information and has really surprised me. I need to visit in early 2025 now to check it out myself 🙏🙏👍

[@ForRiel]

Thanks so much for your kind words. The best thing you can do is come and have a look for yourselves! We love it here but it's not for everyone.

[@Sick_Buffalo]

Holy smokes! The toilet bowl location would be a deal breaker, at least for me, being 6'3...

[@ForRiel]

We're lucky that there are 3 and the other 2 are ok!

[@arnemcradu6499]

Perhaps this is a question that you may not have come across but I’ll ask anyway. 😊 I would prefer a house but as a retired architect there are things ( mostly cosmetic but perhaps things like new kitchen….) of course I wouldn’t like to go that route on a yearly contract but would if I could get let’s say a 10 year lease. Have you heard of such a thing? Thanks for all your info and wisdom.

[@ForRiel]

Anything is possible, but you would have to pay a 10 year deposit.

[@mixtereE]

Much appreciated Claire; another informative vid. Would you say that safetywise it is a bad idea for single person to rent a house, say, in Siem Reap?

[@ForRiel]

I know plenty of single people who live in houses here with no issues. Choose a house that's secure and you'll be fine!

[@DanielFernandez-jv7jx]

Thank you! Very helpful and informative.

[@ForRiel]

Glad it was helpful! 😁

[@stur6641]

can you recommend any FB groups for apartments in siam reap , thank you

[@ForRiel]

There are several but Cheap Rent Siem Reap is quite good.

[@sukikom2259]

Great information. Thanks 😂

[@ForRiel]

Glad you liked it!

[@mrbHanoi]

Have done both over 37 years as an expat I much prefer a large house with a yard but it will cost you more. I can make my house zombie proof.

[@ForRiel]

It's not that much more to get a house here at the moment. Unsure if they are all good at keeping out Zombies 😉

[@mrbHanoi]

@@ForRiel I have it designed and built

[@Paristan01]

We pay 7,500 riel for water in our house per month!

[@ForRiel]

It is very cheap. We never pay more than $1.50. Apartments are different, though.

[@dreamlifeds4412]

Can you tell me if there are "villages" in Siem Reap? I mean a group of houses quite the same gathered in an area with a security guard, sometimes a pool, a little store, . . . as there are so many in Thaï cities and used by expats.

[@ForRiel]

You mean like a moo bahn? Not really a thing here but you can sometimes find small developments of a handful of villas around a pool.

[@dreamlifeds4412]

@@ForRiel , okydok.

[@Brenda-wj2yk]

Hey Clair & Jeremy, can you make a video on moving domestically within Siem Reap/Cambodia? Are there moving companies, etc. I think you guys are experts on local moves lol. Thanks for the great content!

[@ForRiel]

If it's just with a town, then the guys with the long trailers pulled by are moto are your best bet. Moving between towns is a job for a van or a truck, depending on how much stuff you have. Thanks for watching!

[@Brenda-wj2yk]

@@ForRiel 👌

[@Coffeethenride]

Claire thank you mate, your dispatches help my decision making. As an aside, can i ask please, do you see many expat bicycle riders on the road in SR please? Thank you, Gary

[@ForRiel]

There are plenty of people riding and also clubs you could join.

[@Coffeethenride]

@@ForRiel Thank you 🙏☕️

[@brucemacmillan9581]

Re: washing machines... I don’t wash my clothes that often. Maybe twice a year. Lol

[@ForRiel]

Haha they would disintegrate before then in this environment.

[@brucemacmillan9581]

@@ForRiel Washing clothes excessively causes wear and tear on them over time. Also, not good for the environment.

[@Dozer-xt4wn]

Are most apartment owners amenable to accepting tenants with dogs? Thanks in advance.

[@ForRiel]

Enough of them are ok that it isn't a problem. Houses more likely to accept dogs than apartments.

[@Dozer-xt4wn]

@@ForRiel Thanks!

[@mrs.explora]

So many nuggets of info in here, thanks for sharing! And lol Jeremy and the duster

[@ForRiel]

Our pleasure! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@grahamhutton1633]

I’m picking up on the fact that there are many different needs for different people , we have friends in Siem Riep who have a two bed aircon apartment with pool gym etc weekly cleaner and are paying about $600 per month. They re retired, not looking to work . We think that’s very reasonable.

[@ForRiel]

Yes, very reasonable. There's something for every budget in Siem Reap, starting from about $35 a month and right up to $1k.

[@Limetolove]

I have visited twice to Cambodia anyone here on how to avail long term Visa cause on NZ passport visa is only for 30 days

[@ForRiel]

We do have a few videos about visa in our playlist

[@sandgroper6]

Thanks for the update! Looking forward to hearing about privately funded medical insurance for expats.

[@ForRiel]

So of our friends have done this. They just have a set amount they have put aside for emergencies, placed in a term deposit until they need it.

[@jimellis1810]

For our first stay in Siem Reap back in 2016-2017, we took an easy out on housing by staying at a hotel that also rented out apartments. We didn't use any agents to find it. Just looked at hotels listed on TripAdvisor in an area we wanted. That way we got lots of info from the photos and reviews, including ones with reviews from longer term residents. The one we chose, Hotel 20th Street, (1 block off Wat Bo, now defunct), had apartments on the 3rd/4th floor, so most of neighbors were longer term residents. We paid a flat monthly fee for the apartment, water, internet, and cleaning every couple days. Electricity was separately billed each month. It was nice to have an in-house restaurant and pool, but also quite a few restaurants within a couple blocks to eat at and also a mini-mart at the corner on Wat Bo. Another thing to consider is if the place you stay at has a generator. I would think most houses don't have it. Anyway, during that era the electricity went out more often than it does now.

[@ForRiel]

I remember that place. It was still going when we arrived the first time back in 2019. Wat Bo is a great area and has been developed a lot in the last few years. There are many more restaurants and some very cool bars in the area now. Thanks for sharing your story and for watching.

[@grahamthompson2594]

A third option is garden bungalows, a small house among several. Tbe shady trees are nice, and the security is good. Looks like a nice place that you have leased, and a good deal. Cheers

[@ForRiel]

Our new place is very nice 👌 👍 The garden bungalows are fine but they aren't 100% private like a house.

[@macawism]

The elephant in the room, for long term residential renters is that there is no such thing as tenant’s rights, especially for foreigners. What may be in the laws and what is done in practice, are quite different. Having rented apartments in PP and houses in regional centres, you can be unlucky and find yourself at the mercy of greedy & unscrupulous landlords, who can act with virtual impunity. You only have to see a standard rental lease to understand that all clauses will be about the rights of the landlord, while the tenant will only have obligations. Of course, you can negotiate terms, but a non-commercial rental lease on a house doesn’t carry much weight, when it comes to issues such as repairs & maintenance. The general idea is to take your time and do a thorough inspection in terms of your needs and check that everything is in working order. Don’t sign before the problems are fixed. The system doesn’t allow for much concern after the signing of a lease… It’s a “buyer beware” situation, but fortunately, there are landlords have goodwill.

[@ForRiel]

We've never had a problem and have lived in 9 different places. Not saying people don't have issues, just that we haven't. Thanks for watching.