Should I choose another place and lose money or stay?

[Sergei82]

The moral of the story: keep your wallet away and don't flash it all the time in front of the others (so you don't assume anything afterwards).

2nd point: if you think too long, the flat you want to rent gets rented out to somebody else. Sad reality.

[x9200]

With anything that may have some legal implications (bigger than a loss of few dozens of SGDs) it is always better to clarify the situation. If I had to pay such deposit I would do it by cheque and put some remarks on the cheque.

Also for other types of agreements, i.e. A/C servicing, its always good to read before signing it. Many times I crossed out some points I did not agreed with, countersigned the alteration and nobody gave ever any sh*t about it.

[zzm9980]

So good faith deposit need not be formalized?
I can take anything from anyone and then say it was a good faith deposit?

The OP admitted it was a Good Faith deposit though. He voluntarily gave it to the lady.

[zzm9980]

With anything that may have some legal implications (bigger than a loss of few dozens of SGDs) it is always better to clarify the situation. If I had to pay such deposit I would do it by cheque and put some remarks on the cheque.

Yes, a good alternative is to give a check for the entire amount dated at some point in the future.

[x9200]

A cheque is generally a good tool because it gives a bit more security to the issuing party but also more evenly distributes the responsibility. IIRC it was a case in Singapore where the court ruled in favor of a property buyer because the seller (Landlord) cashed the good faith deposit.

[chris_pilgrim]

@ L-Ian

you asked if you should lose the $400 or should you stay?

i say stay and enjoy the place (which you said is convenient) for a year and move on to somewhere else lovelier

[zzm9980]

@ L-Tan

you asked if you should lose the $400 or should you stay?

i say stay and enjoy the place (which you said is convenient) for a year and move on to somewhere else lovelier

At this point the landlord is probably not very thrilled with him, so not sure I would want to stay.