I agree with that. In the UK there are rules and protections on either side, and they work pretty much in balance. Because a ripped off tenant has recourse, the the LL is less likely to break the rules. In SG a ripped off tenant has very little recourse, hence they are seen as ripe for the plucking; and so here we are.martincymru wrote:In the UK being a landlord is tough. Here, it's easy.
It depends on what you call naivety. It it means 'clever tricks', against which you have no recourse, then perhaps so. I think a major disconnect is that you expect such business in SG to be both legal and moral (discuss!?). You would expect a major agent that you have explicitly paid and agreed in a written contract to represent you, to represent you; wouldn't you? You wouldn't expect them to turn around when you need their assistance vs a landlord, and claim that they have lost all their records, as per my recent experience. As with much crime (to be clear, I'm not suggesting retaining deposits is 'criminal' in a legal nature), you do not protect against a risk that you cannot reasonably foresee. You do not buy a new home and put in Fort-Knox type security, why would you; well, not until you have been burgled a few times maybe.ecureilx wrote:I may be on thin ice here, but I would say, being a landlord here is easy, because of naive tenants, and nope, I don't mean to say tenants should be law experts.
I think there is a critical difference here: You were under a contractual obligation, and the LL is not under any obligation to negotiate or relinquish rights due to your changed circumstances. The issue of deposits is the reverse in fact, the LL is under a contractual obligation to return your money, but (on occasion) flips you a finger, since he knows you can't do anything about it.ecureilx wrote:Like my example, I was laid off and was only able to find a job paying a much lesser salary, and told my landlord I gotta leave a I can't pay the rent.
On the details given that would appear to be his right.ecureilx wrote:He threatened so sue me and was trying to invoke this and that
He could have sought a court enforcement order etc. But this is irrelevant to the topic at hand.ecureilx wrote:told him in a legal sounding letter, when my salary is 2,000 $, can you advice how I can pay 1,500 $ as rental ? If you insist I must stay, well, you can go to court, and enforce it
So how would you suggest such people get their money back? I think the phenomenom thrives because getting it back is so hard (instructing a lawyer?), that most people can't afford to and/or give up before this first hurdle.ecureilx wrote:My 2 cents says, most tenants get hood winked by agents and landlords, and more often than ever, the agents will use impressive words like "we cater for expats", or "this is singapore standard" or .. "this is the norm .. " etc. etc All it takes is, just a bit of common sense and not fall for it.
As does the person who has his home burgled repeatedly.ecureilx wrote:And some have to learn the lessons the hard way ..
IMHO that makes you no better than the dishonest landlord, you are intentionally breaking your contract. In fact if this is typical of how some tenants behave, perhaps it's not surprising some LLs behave in an equally underhand way. The fact you can have a reputable agent in the middle of all this, and have them simply walk away with a lame excuse and a shrug still surprises me. If the typical tenant had any recourse, then such an agent wouldn't dare do that.ecureilx wrote:As in the cases where I felt the landlord was trying to pull a fast one, I avoided paying the last month rental, and where the landlord disputed facts, told him off. And at most, paid half month, and if the landlord tried to be funny, told him to go to court to claim the damages- none I know ever did that, knowing that it will be a losing fight for them. The issue I see here is OP is having learning the hard way.
So Mr LL, can you let me know, what am I supposed to do when I am fired and jobless ??? or say my pay cut is massive that I can't pay my rent anymore ?? Just For argument sakesJR8 wrote:IMHO that makes you no better than the dishonest landlord, you are intentionally breaking your contract
Look for a new place and find a replacement tenant for the current one.ecureilx wrote:So Mr LL, can you let me know, what am I supposed to do when I am fired and jobless ??? or say my pay cut is massive that I can't pay my rent anymore ?? Just For argument sakesJR8 wrote:IMHO that makes you no better than the dishonest landlord, you are intentionally breaking your contract
I tried both, but the LL insisted I must stay (not kidding .. ) as the rental outside had droppedx9200 wrote:Look for a new place and find a replacement tenant for the current one.ecureilx wrote:So Mr LL, can you let me know, what am I supposed to do when I am fired and jobless ??? or say my pay cut is massive that I can't pay my rent anymore ?? Just For argument sakesJR8 wrote:IMHO that makes you no better than the dishonest landlord, you are intentionally breaking your contract
The same as when you have debts versus a credit card company, or local 'tattooed friendly money-lender'. Meet your obligations or face the consequences.ecureilx wrote:So Mr LL, can you let me know, what am I supposed to do when I am fired and jobless ??? or say my pay cut is massive that I can't pay my rent anymore ?? Just For argument sakes
Not sure how to interpret the last line, but yes, you should pay the difference. This is a very fair deal.ecureilx wrote:I tried both, but the LL insisted I must stay (not kidding .. ) as the rental outside had droppedx9200 wrote:Look for a new place and find a replacement tenant for the current one.ecureilx wrote:So Mr LL, can you let me know, what am I supposed to do when I am fired and jobless ??? or say my pay cut is massive that I can't pay my rent anymore ?? Just For argument sakes
Alternate, for me to keep paying the difference .. Yep, Right, agreed
I was not making it up when I was fired and had to settle for a lower paying job, temporary. And there was no intention to short change the LLJR8 wrote: a) you claim your personal circumstances have changed, and hence are relieved of any contractual obligations you were under.
b) one in which if rents in the market drop, you can rip up your TA and are entitled to a replacement with a lower rent too.*
I would suggest, if you can afford it, get a lawyers' letter demanding 1) Cost of damages and estimated repair costs, and 2) failing proper furnishing of proper costs, return of deposit and 3) if the employer is contacted for any reason, you will approach Magistrates' court for harassmentBlessedbiatch wrote:On my part what should I do? Just wait for some legal notice from LL. Or should I file a police report that I believe the LL has cheated me of the deposit?
Because this was you who had to pay I suppose (to put it the most nice and euphemistic way I can). You are a nice guy ecureilx but this is already another case when you demonstrate some really uneasy to accept mentality. I am one step away from saying, if there are more guys around with this sort of attitude than no wonder some LLs take any opportunity to *beeep* the tenants.ecureilx wrote:x9200: keep paying the difference ? well, why didn't I find the idea nice then ?
Yes, sure he should if he was the one who intended to brake the contract. Unfortunately it was you.ecureilx wrote:Will think about it, if I am every again in the same situation .. On the other hand, maybe when rentals drop, the LLs should compensate back to the tenants the difference in the rentals, especially when the Rentals have dived by 50 % in some cases.
That sums up the issue well I guessNihility wrote:As a landlord of multiple properties back home, and renting here in Singapore, I am aghast at how the system is completely stacked in the LL's favour.
Have you considered that as an epitaph?ecureilx wrote:I guess you missed my point, but ..
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 4 guests