Discuss about life in Singapore. Ask about cost of living, housing, travel, etiquette & lifestyle. Share experience & advice with Singaporeans & expat staying in Singapore.
-
AussieInTheRu
- Newbie
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Thu, 03 Mar 2016 7:47 pm
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by AussieInTheRu » Thu, 03 Mar 2016 7:54 pm
We recently moved from a
condo and, per the contract, were required to receive our security deposit back within 30 days (which we felt was excessive). It's now pushing 60 and the agent on their side refuses to commit to a date of return (lots of "asap"). I have the feeling he's terrified of his landlord and doesn't want to push him, but that doesn't help us at all.
It's a significant amount of money, so what are our options from here?
-
JR8
- Immortal
- Posts: 16522
- Joined: Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:43 pm
- Location: K. Puki Manis
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by JR8 » Thu, 03 Mar 2016 9:53 pm
Do a forum search on 'small claims tribunal', you'll see where this has been raised and discussed before. It's almost a recurring topic, once every 3 months or so.
Have you agreed any deductions, and are just awaiting payment? If so the LL appears to be in breach of contract and it's time to get your big-stick out. Read through several topics that come up from the above board search and it should give you the necessary leads.
Presumably you found the place directly via the LLs agent, rather than interfacing via your own agent, as if the latter the onus would be on your agent to deal with this.
'Do it or do not do it: You will regret both' - Kierkegaard
-
AussieInTheRu
- Newbie
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Thu, 03 Mar 2016 7:47 pm
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by AussieInTheRu » Fri, 04 Mar 2016 11:52 am
Thanks JR8, will check it out. I think the intentions are honest from the agent on their side, but he's quietly terrified of upsetting the landlord (who owns the whole building). I didn't realise the onus was on our agent...she's pretty apathetic too, but I'll get a fire under her today. Closing on 60 days is insane.
The final amount has been agreed on in writing (well, whatsapp, which appears to be the way EVERYONE conducts business here in SG!) so it's just a matter of the funds being transferred.
The overall shadiness of landlord and agent alike in Singapore is disappointing. The whole industry needs governmental intervention sooner than later.
Again, thanks for your reply.
-
JR8
- Immortal
- Posts: 16522
- Joined: Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:43 pm
- Location: K. Puki Manis
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by JR8 » Fri, 04 Mar 2016 6:36 pm
I've been similarly 'caught in the middle' between the two agents with neither willing to do anything and it's a PITA. But note that IMO/E the landlord's agent represents the LL only. It is your agent that should be your channel of comms. Whether they're willing to get off their rear and do this is another matter; it seems (IME) that they're very willing to try and fob one off*.
Your starting point is looking at the contract you signed to engage the services of your agent. How does it define the extent of his/her duties? How ever it is worded it should include negotiation of [any deductions etc] and oversight of return of the deposit at the end of the term. If that is stated, then you have your channel to move forward.
* In was in a similar position and I pressed our agent very hard, until she said in as many words 'Sorry I've accidentally deleted all my archived records going back 7 years so can't help you'. And that agent was a distant relative that we thought was on our side, and is from of the main SG agencies. [/'kin unbelievable!]. It's regrettable that she is a relative because for that reason alone my wife was very uncomfortable with me landing a severe legal 'whack on her ar*e', which would have begun with reporting her to the NAEA. So if we return to SG there's no way I'll put the job of finding a flat in the hands of the wider family, even if it causes offence, as as has been seen I have nil recourse in the event things go awry.
'Do it or do not do it: You will regret both' - Kierkegaard
-
kenreally
- Newbie
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Sat, 05 Mar 2016 11:40 pm
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by kenreally » Sun, 06 Mar 2016 12:30 am
AussieInTheRu, tenants' rights in Singapore are not legislated and therefore tenants do not enjoy the same protection as in Australia. If you are still not getting the deposit back, bring your Whatapp messages to a lawyer to write a demand letter to the owner. It'll set you back about $600 but should get the owner to move quicker.
-
rarkins
- Regular
- Posts: 64
- Joined: Thu, 07 Aug 2014 6:50 pm
-
Contact:
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by rarkins » Thu, 10 Mar 2016 1:13 pm
How common is it for there to be a written agreement between tenants and their agents that the agent is obligated to continue helping them even right through to lease completion? I had a similar case but nothing at all in writing that obligated my agent to help (she did though, which I assume is typical).
-
sundaymorningstaple
- Moderator
- Posts: 40389
- Joined: Thu, 11 Nov 2004 1:26 pm
-
Answers: 21
- Location: Retired on the Little Red Dot
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by sundaymorningstaple » Thu, 10 Mar 2016 2:30 pm
Well, with most agents expecting to get a commission on lease renewals (for not doing anything) I should think that they would be bound to help throughout the lease if necessary. Most of the agents I know provide service throughout the duration of the lease, but I'm sure there are probably just as many who do not. It would be interesting to see if they would sign a document which would legally obligate them to do so. I've never used an agent so I don't know what the agreement says between the agent and prospective Tenant.
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers
-
-
My Landlord won't return our safety deposit
Replies: 11
First post
Hello! I'm new here in Singapore and i need some advise.
My room mate and i are renting a room under an old couple's HDB. NO TENANCY AGREEMENT was...
Last post
Back when I used to rent here, I found it to be a pretty common practice to just keep renting after the tenancy agreement has expired. From what I...
- 11 Replies
- 6070 Views
-
Last post by malcontent
Sat, 16 Jan 2021 11:45 pm
-
-
Deposit Return; Landlord intends to back charge in breach
Replies: 5
First post
Your thoughts appreciated.
Should I also ask for 3 quotes where Landlord intends to back charge me? Court may require this?
Capture 1.JPG...
Last post
There is no such things as home dry cleaning. It's accepted the normal practice is to take them to a dry cleaners.
For airconditioniing cleaning the...
- 5 Replies
- 1959 Views
-
Last post by PNGMK
Fri, 06 Jan 2023 1:12 pm
-
-
HELP! Landlord Refuses to Return Deposit
Replies: 12
First post
Hi guys,
To provide some context, I am currently based and will still be based in Singapore moving forward. I have just ended a 4 years (split into...
Last post
Hi X9200, yes the landlord is aware that I will be in Singapore. Does this affect my chances of getting my deposit back?
In this case not. Many of...
- 12 Replies
- 3926 Views
-
Last post by Lisafuller
Tue, 26 Sep 2023 1:36 pm
-
-
- 3 Replies
- 4384 Views
-
Last post by PNGMK
Thu, 09 Jan 2020 1:22 pm
-
-
Landlord-Tenant security deposit dispute
Replies: 1
First post
What is the best thing to do if the LL is charging us the list of the items as attached without any proof of substantiations for the price? I told...
Last post
There are a lot of posts about this type of thing. In short they need to provide some reasonable proof. You can object and go to SCT. The SCT will...
- 1 Replies
- 2698 Views
-
Last post by PNGMK
Wed, 05 Feb 2020 3:38 pm
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests