Tenancy agreements/leases and your rights as a tenant

[JR8]

Man, you seem like a "dream" tenant... Do you have problems everywhere you rent?
http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/sutra6 ... tml#637917

And thus all is revealed!

[vanyali]

Wow, you guys sound like real jerk neighbors. If you don't like dogs, live in a dog-free building. Otherwise, face the fact that dog owners pay rent too, and deserve to use the facilities just as much as anyone else.

So far, I've settled on complaining about the guards to the company that employs them. If I get a few of them fired, maybe the rest of them will fear me enough to leave me the hell alone from now on. I'm taking it on as a long-term project.

[beppi]

^^^Who's the jerk here?!?

[vanyali]

Um, at the moment, you are the jerk.

[AngMoG]

Wow, you guys sound like real jerk neighbors. If you don't like dogs, live in a dog-free building. Otherwise, face the fact that dog owners pay rent too, and deserve to use the facilities just as much as anyone else.

So far, I've settled on complaining about the guards to the company that employs them. If I get a few of them fired, maybe the rest of them will fear me enough to leave me the hell alone from now on. I'm taking it on as a long-term project.

So, let me sum that up:
- You are playing with a dog on facilities that are clearly for playing tennis, not for playing with dogs. You are free to use that facility for playing tennis, btw.
- When you are rightly told off by the guards, you complain about them to their employer. Over a $2 rental some more. I hope their manager has more common sense than you.
- All of this could easily be avoided by going to a park to play with your dog.

I sincerely hope I never have to live in the same building as you.

[vanyali]

There is no harm to my playing with my dog in the tennis court, if I book it. You being offended by it is just unreasonable, and not my problem.

I want to get the guards fired so that their replacements won't chase after me, making up rules like this anymore. It's self-defense.

[JR8]

This is turning out to be more fun than I expected.

I've got that frolicking Friday feeling!

[AngMoG]

This is turning out to be more fun than I expected.

I've got that frolicking Friday feeling!

[beppi]

Can security guards, together with the condo Management, fire an unreasonably quarrelsome tenant instead?
That would actually do more towards nice living conditions in the Condo than firing security guards (and hiring others instead to do exactly the same).
It is probably unrealistic to hope that the OP learns that most issues are best solved in a non-confrontational manner and not by making as many enemies as possible (as he just did on this forum as well).

[naylera]

changed

[cat_quek]

Can I ask so far has anyone every go to SCT to lodge a claim against landlord? What was the outcome?

I just finish a tenancy and the LL wants to charge us for some problem that was already there when i moved in.

1) The tap was somehow spoilt as the water pressure was very small. We didn't thought much of it as is normal to have different water pressure at different places.
Now he claims we spoilt it and wants to charge us for it which cost $200.

2) The window latch was also old and worn out(this condo is a 15 years old condo) One of the latch came out and they are claiming us for the repair.
I feel that all this is under Wear and Tear. Definitely not due to negligence of tenant.

The LL is expecting the house to be returned in exact same condition as when he handover to us and not considering his apartment is already old and worn out.

[JR8]

>>Can I ask so far has anyone every go to SCT to lodge a claim against landlord? What was the outcome?

There have been quite a few who prepared to go, but I don't recall any reverting here, after the event. But in any case someone else's outcome has little or no bearing on any case you might bring.

>> I just finish a tenancy and the LL wants to charge us for some problem that was already there when i moved in.

Were these noted on your inventory when you moved in?

>> 1) The tap was somehow spoilt as the water pressure was very small. We didn't thought much of it as is normal to have different water pressure at different places. Now he claims we spoilt it and wants to charge us for it which cost $200.

What kind of tap is it that cost $200? Taps can be repaired. A new washer costs $1. How has he determined that you have caused the problem to the tap such that the water pressure is allegedly reduced - rather that it being due to normal usage, i.e. 'Fair Wear and Tear'.


>> 2) The window latch was also old and worn out(this condo is a 15 years old condo) One of the latch came out and they are claiming us for the repair.
I feel that all this is under Wear and Tear. Definitely not due to negligence of tenant.

I know the kind of handles, and they are a complete PITA. They are made from painted cast aluminium alloy, and they are very brittle. In 2-odd years at our last place I broke 4-5 of them. They are simple to replace, and cost about $3 each. But again it would be Wear + Tear.

>>The LL is expecting the house to be returned in exact same condition as when he handover to us and not considering his apartment is already old and worn out.

I agree with your thinking. Sadly it seems quite a common ruse in SG for landlords to make deductions due to *fair wear and tear*, to fund bringing a place back to 'as new' condition for the subsequent relet. It is opportunist and unjust.

Is there a W+T clause in your tenancy agreement? Even if there isn't it still applies. If there is a country crying out for the statutory regulation and holding of deposits Singapore would be my candidate; as your situation seems to come up every other week (have you read through all of this and similar topics?).

Do note court is intended as a last resort. The threat of resorting to it is meant to encourage settlement before it gets that far. And a judge/panel Chairman will definitely favour your case more if it is evident that you have tried to resolve matters amicably/informally before wheeling into court.

Good luck. Read this and other similar topics. Revert with any outstanding or modified questions. And if you do ever get as far as the SCT, maybe you'll be '''THE ONE''' to let us know how you got on!

[angrytenant]

Can anyone please suggest a good lawyer for advising on tenancy disputes. Much appreciated.

[angrytenant]

An update is due from my side.

After many days of efforts to resolve the matter amicably through discussions and negotiations, my ex-company has given up and is now advising me to pursue the refund of security deposit myself.

As suggested by some of you previously, I should consider suing the company for refund of my security deposit. You may recall that I paid the company the security deposit which in turn was paid by the company to the landlord.

I have tried all possible means of negotiations and the landlord is now not responding to any communication.

Should I sue the company or the landlord?

Thanks for your suggestions.

[x9200]

If the TA is between the LL and the company you have to sue the company as you are not in any legal agreement with the LL. How was the deposit handled (when yoo paid it and to whom and under what legal circumstances)? Are there any document related to the deposit hand over?