dodgy housing agent

[cheated]

I am an expatriate living in Singapore .Recently I have been ripped off by a dodgy housing agent , Vincent Tan .

I got his name fron a housing agent website . His pleasant disposition and mannerism impressed me. He found me this place at Yishun by saying the owner was not staying there ( turns out to be untrue ). He told me that he would not be getting any fees from the owner instead I had to pay him $200 as I was a short-term stayer and the economy is in bad shape.

After the contract is signed , he told me that he had taken $150 from the owner and had asked me for the $200 . I had paid him $ 200 not knowing that he had taken $200 instead of $150 from the owner . I felt cheated and had made a complaint to the IRAS and the housing board but they cannot do a damn thing for me .

Would anybody like to share a similar experience or advise accordingly ?

[terry]

Hi cheated,

Sorry to hear about your plight. It's important to clarify the fees payable before signing any contract.

[deepassion]

Usually, an agent can take a full month's rent from the owner, and half a month's rent from the tenant. It's just the way he said it to make you pay that is dishonest. You should complain to the agency and tell them that what the agent did was in the very least a "breach of verbal contract" and VERY dishonest. I think you should post your story at outlawcheat.ticklegroups.com They've got stories about people who cheat too.

[Guest]

Another dodgy agent to avoid is WENDY LEONG. I had the most unpleasant experience with her. The security deposit placed with the landlord is suppose to be refunded within a week of handover. She came up with all sorts of excuses and used unfair delay tactics to not pay me. Insisted on seeing air-cond service bills and dry-cleaning bills for the curtains three weeks after I had moved out. Three weeks after I handed over the keys to her, she claims curtains had stains. The curtains were in the apartment during the handover & inspection and she made the claim only three weeks later. That's just one excuse, she comes up with new excuses almost every week my agent calls to ask about the refund. Pestered her long enough for the refund, she stopped taking the calls and refused to return calls/messages.

I finally got my deposit back after 3.5 weeks and only because I spoke to the landlord myself and told him I refused to deal with his agent.

Lovely place to rent but avoid the agent at all cost. I'm not the only tenant in that development who has complained about her.

[Guest]

I would suggest you lodge a complaint at CASE. They can handle these people.

[coloP]

The Institute of estate Agents would be another ground to complain against the person, http://www.iea.org.sg/link/front_linkli ... utype=HOME