My landlord is literally stealing my underwear. Singapore living is a fever dream.
I’ve been an expat in SG for a few years now, and I thought I’d seen all the “landlord from hell” tropes. I’ve dealt with the air-con Nazis and the “no cooking” autocrats, but my current situation is reaching a level of insanity I wasn’t prepared for.
My landlord (F, 50s) seemed normal enough when I signed the lease for this master bedroom. A bit over-friendly, maybe, but I figured she was just being “auntie” hospitable. I was wrong.
It started small. I’d notice a pair of boxers missing from the drying rack. I figured the wind blew them off or the dryer ate them. Then it became a pattern. Specifically, my more “premium” briefs—the Uniqlo Airism ones and my gym compression shorts—started vanishing into thin air.
Last night was the final straw. I came home early because a meeting got cancelled, and I caught her literally coming out of my room with a handful of my laundry. She didn’t even look embarrassed. She just made some weird excuse about “checking the fabric quality” to see if she should buy the same brand for her “nephew.”
The nephew doesn’t exist. I’ve checked the mailbox; it’s just her and her cat.
I’m stuck in a 12-month TA with 6 months left. I feel like I’m losing my mind. Every time I hang my laundry in the common area, it’s like a buffet for her. I’ve started drying my underwear inside my wardrobe with a portable dehumidifier like a total weirdo just to keep my basic dignity intact.
Has anyone else dealt with this? Can I even report this to the police without looking like a crazy person? “Hello, SPF? My landlord is a pervert who likes my 2-year-old H&M trunks.”
I love this city, but the rental market is a different dimension of cursed. Stay safe out there, boys. Hide your Calvins.