Increase in rent--what is reasonable???

[Matney]

Just got word from the LL and he wants to increase the rent by 50%. I know we have a cheap rent to begin with, but I think an increase of that much is too much with nothing to show for it. We'll be looking for a 4Br condo on MRT/ bus lines. 3 of the family work or go to school in Orchard area and 1 at the airport. Any suggestions??

[jpatokal]

The East Coast is your oyster. If reports on this board are to be believed, the market in larger apts (like your 4BRs) is still quite slow, so explore the options, find out the market rate and tell your landlord to stick his increase up his pooter if he's out of line.

[EADG]

Matney - I agree with JP on the EC, but also would not limit yourself to just there. Especially in this market for the next few months.

I have just been burned by not 1 but 2 of these bloodsucking leeches and am now, after 2 months of looking, back to square one. And this was with 2 apparently 'good' agents.

Recommendations from a couple of people who have been here are to pore over the newspapers on your own, and limit your dependency on these incompetent agents.

Good luck, to you and me. This has been yet another hard lesson in local incompetence for me, one I won't soon forget.

50% is downright disgusting and greedy. Singapore is surely shooting itself in the foot as we speak. This is a huge turnoff to those now relocating here. I know of 20-30 people coming from Japan and this is a big shock to them and their companies. Other people I know are having to move out of houses they lived in for years.