Fortunately for the would-be-tenant, there are an increasing number of apartments, serviced apartments and condominiums being built in Bangkok . As well as offering more choice, this should ultimately mean more competitive pricing too, though admittedly there's no sign of it yet. For now though, it most definitely means increased options – so many in fact that would-be tenants should easily find an apartment that suits their every need.

The location is probably the first thing to look at. It doesn't matter how nice the apartment is if it means spending hours on Bangkok 's busy streets unnecessarily, or if it is hours away from often-frequented social clubs, not to mention your place of work. Also, it needs to be quiet enough to be relaxing, yet not cut off from the rest of the city.

f you are already living in an apartment or in the market for one, you have probably been told more times than you care to remember how important it is to the success of your venture in Bangkok that your residence is close to a BTS skytrain or MRT subway stations. Make sure your apartment has excellent mass transit connections, because these can only get better.

The price Check for any hidden costs. Some apartments include electricity and other utilities, some do not. You'd better carefully check the following major items before making a decision, whether the rates are included maid cleaning, cable TV, water, electricity, internet and the most important thing is the rates are nett inclusive of VAT or Service Charges or not.

The convenience of living next to a skytrain station or within prime areas usually comes only at a price. You might actually find it cheaper (even with the added transport costs) to live further away. Some Serviced Apartments provide shuttle bus services to the skytrain or subway station.

The interior – Most mid to high-end apartments in Bangkok are furnished to a very high standard, and most landlords or apartment managers are happy to make changes or improvements before you move in. Do make sure, however, that a good maintenance service is provided, and that renovation is an ongoing thing rather than a one-time-only deal.

Facilities – Most of the serviced apartments in Bangkok have amazing facilities, some even have 5-star services. Make sure that yours has amenities that suit your family's lifestyle as well as your own. And that includes opening hours of, say, the gym or pool. One businesswoman we spoke to was unhappy about the gym hours. She usually only got home from the office after 9.00 p.m. – the same time the gym closed.

Cooking enthusiasts should check out the kitchen carefully. Many Studio and One Bedroom Apartments only provide bachelor kitchens, though some do run to more extensive facilities.

Security is another important factor, and should be checked carefully before making a choice. Some apartments are heavy on security, while others only seem to be.

One man we spoke to enjoyed having his guests announced upon arrival; another complained that his apartment “just let anyone in”. It's always a good sign if the security guards take a close look at you as you enter the main gate.

The population in the apartment block, though not usually spoken about, is also very important. If you are planning on making some friends there, you need to be amongst people you like, or more importantly, who speak your language. Often, one nationality or another heavily populates apartments. Some attract mainly Asians, while others attract more westerners. Still others have a nice healthy mix. One tenant told us that he didn't stay long in his apartment as his child was unable to make friends: he couldn't communicate with the other children.

The environment is important too. Especially for tenants staying on the lower floors, a surrounding garden often means the scent of flowers and birdsong in the morning. It makes for a pleasant start to the day. Meanwhile, staying close to the swimming pool might mean heavy whiffs of chlorine, not to mention loud noises from children, in the afternoon.

The view – Don't always let yourself be persuaded by the brochure when choosing an apartment, especially when it comes to the view. A river view is not always a good thing, especially when it is a dirty river you're talking about (unless of course your apartment is high enough not to see the dirt).

While still on the subject of the view, do check the windows. Many of us like a bit of fresh air occasionally, and yet some of the high-rise blocks have permanently locked windows – for safety, we were told.

Before making a choice, be sure to visit the apartment twice: once in the daytime and once at night.

One resident we talked to complained that she was shocked to discover, (after signing the rental agreement, how many ugly cracks in the next building were visible in the daylight. During the visit, try to use the bathroom facilities to check out: 1) the water pressure, and 2) the flushing power of the loo. (You may laugh at that last one, but then you haven't heard as many complaints as we have.

Talking with existing tenants is always a good idea when making a choice. They will be the first to warn you off if things are not all that they seem. Oh, and don't forget to ask them if power cuts occur regularly. One man we interviewed had to get rid of his electric alarm clock, as the almost daily (yet very short) supply cuts saw him having to re-set it all the time.

There are basically two things to do if you are already in an apartment that doesn't suit. The obvious thing to do would be to move; the less obvious thing to do would be to stay and make the best of it. Here's a little advice on ways to make that possible.

Noisy neighbours?
Have a civil word with them about keeping the volume down, and if that doesn't work, make more noise that they do! The funny thing about noisy people is that they don't hear their own din, but seem to have unusually sensitive hearing when it comes to other people's noise.

Opening hours too short?
Does your gym, restaurant, pool, etc. close to early? Get all the tenants to sign a nicely-worded petition saying how you would all be happier if they would keep it open an extra hour, etc. This also works well for other services, like a request to erect a satellite dish on the top of building, for instance.

Need more living space?
Don't move out, move up (or down)! It is much easier to move to a larger apartment in the block than go to a new one, particularly if you like the building, its location and services, etc.

Increase in rent?
If your term is up and you wish to extend, chances are that the management or landlord might try to raise the rent. To keep them quiet over the short-term, tell them you are in the process of getting another apartment anyway and that you should really have had more notice. They don't usually mind if it is only for a while. For the long-term, you may consider moving if you find something more attractive for a lower rent.

Development spoiling the view?
Of course, this depends how badly it is spoilt, but for only slight disfigurements, you could find some attractive screens or blinds to hide the offending window. And if this doesn't do the trick, move! Don't forget though, in a city like Bangkok , where zoning is negligible, it could happen again easily, at your next apartment.

Equipment not kept in good repair?
Many apartments include a wide array of equipment, but not all of it is kept in good repair. If a quiet word with the management doesn't' work, tell them you would be happy to bring in your own technical specialist.

Feng shui is a widely respected art associated with ancient Chinese culture. And though ancient, many modern Chinese are still quick to rush to its defense: they believe in it, that's why.

There are countless stories citing cases where lives were characterized by mishap after mishap, only to be reversed after the application of some simple feng shui-related changes to the home or work space. To avoid misfortune altogether, however, many Chinese and other believers make a point of considering some basic feng shui pointers before even choosing a place to live.

POSITIVE THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR INCLUDE:

The following are some of the things you should avoid, if you wish to lead a healthy and prosperous life: