Issues with renting in Braddell View

[eren_jaeger]

Hello, before moving over to Singapore I signed a contract with a person who claimed to be landlord to rent a place in Braddell View. In the contract he mentioned that tenant needs to provide a copy of valid document or pass before moving in. Without any, deposit shall be refundable.

We already agreed to meet on the day of my arrival at Singapore at the unit. However upon arriving, he refused to meet me and insisted me to have the EP ready to allow me to move in. However the EP takes some weeks to be issued. Moreover, this guy already asked for my one month rent a month earlier before the tenancy start date, claiming it to be advance rent, which does not exist in the agreement. The guy is holding my deposit and one month rent now. I also found this guy to be cantankerous. He does not want to return me any money , which is in contrary of what is stated in the agreement.

I have checked with many people and concluded that the approval letter is sufficient enough for entering into a tenancy contract. Right now I still cant move in to the place, and have to stay somewhere temporarily at the moment. Any advise or suggestion you guys can give me? Is this so called "landlord" doing lawful things?

[PNGMK]

Take him to the SCT.

[sheshen]

It's compulsory to provide NRIC/work pass to owner when rent a place. This is to prevent the person will do illegal thing in the house. In your case, the owner is too scare to get you move in without providing work pass. Your copy of passport should be sufficient enough before your work pass ready.

Note:
Your 1st day of rent should be counted when 1st day you move in.
Next time Pay the first month rent money only when you move in.

[JustSee]

It's compulsory to provide NRIC/work pass to owner when rent a place. This is to prevent the person will do illegal thing in the house. In your case, the owner is too scare to get you move in without providing work pass. Your copy of passport should be sufficient enough before your work pass ready.

Note:
Your 1st day of rent should be counted when 1st day you move in.
Next time Pay the first month rent money only when you move in.

IPA is more than enough to enter an agreement for tenancy.
Your contract should state when the tenancy started, and the LL has to abide by that even if they are hesitant, they can call the police and sort that out. I agree with PNGMK, take him to SCT but first give an ultimatum.