A netizen shared how he rented a master bedroom at a HDB unit for $1,300 per month from a landlord, who was good and friendly at first, until the payment was made and the agreement was signed.
Here is what he said
This is to share awareness on a recent tenancy in Pasir Ris. Things turn horrid since the second month of staying.
It all started when I saw a listing on Facebook that there is a post that is renting out the Master Bedroom for SGD 1,300.00 per month. I made the arrangement to view the unit, and it was all good and friendly Landlord until payment and TA has been signed.
I have been a good paymaster (paying rents two weeks earlier that requested dates each month) and the nature of my job was to travel alot. Hence, I have only stays approximately 15 to 20 days each month.
It all started when I started washing clothes with a longer mode (1:04 hours) and the landlord came yelling saying that why did I need to wash that long. I have justified that the clothes were rather dirty due to me visiting outdoor sites and nature of my job. Then, after that, all kind of additional rules start coming out. I am only allowed to use air cond from 10pm till 8am weekdays and 10pm to 10am weekends. Washing clothes are only allowed after 7pm. Mind me, that I am staying less than 30 days there and all these additional rules were not in the TA. So I have questioned on all these new rulings and the landlord wasn’t happy about it.
Next minute, he evicted me with less than 30days notice, without any reason, for a merely 2 months’ stay. HDB minimum requirement is 6 months rent, but he said that he will deal with HDB that part. I decided to move out as I do not feel comfortable staying in a HDB with someone like that.
After that, when I was washing clothes after 7pm, I divided the load into two loads so that it will not burden the washing machine. He went through my clothings and then started throwing tantrums by slamming his doors so loud that the neighbours would be able to hear. He was expecting me to wash 7kg load of clothes each time, which again, it wasn’t stated in the Tenancy agreement.
Lastly, on certain weekends when I am staying in Singapore, he would blast his music as loud as possible and do all kinds of knocking and cleaning jobs at 10 in the morning. Indeed, this is by far the worst renting experience as I have rented other properties in other countries previously.
Currently, landlord is blaming me for the toilet grouting and request me to pay for the whole refurbishment. As I have stayed less than half of the time during the three months period and it seems like normal wear and tear. He is withholding the full security deposit and ready to go to court.
My advise to readers, try not to rent a room that is to be shared with landlord, especially a middle aged man who listed “prefer ladies tenant”. That is a red flag. I have learnt it the hard way, and I hope others do not need to experience what I had experienced.