Singapore Expats

Hi,

I'm renting a common room in the HDB flat. The owner is an old lady who has a fire phobia. She would enter my room freely every single day, to make sure that my windows are closed (her reason that a lit cigarette may enter the room and start a fire), then she would make sure all the electric outlet are in off position (I always turn off everything on my surge protector except the switch on the wall, her reason is a lightning might strike and start the fire) and many more.

I can tolerate most but I have problems with her entering my room freely, do tenants here in Singapore have privacy rights at all? She says that she has the right to enter the room anytime she wants to as long as she is not touching my property. Is this true?

I don't think a landlord is allowed to enter a tenanted property without prior notification and in the absence of the tenant.
Why don't you lock your room?

Typically in your tenancy agreement you should have a clause about your basic rights and this clause should contain something like the right to peaceful enjoyment of the rented property. Her doing is directly against this clause. Besides, on general legal terms you always have rights to have your privacy respected.

x9200 wrote:Typically in your tenancy agreement you should have a clause about your basic rights and this clause should contain something like the right to peaceful enjoyment of the rented property. Her doing is directly against this clause. Besides, on general legal terms you always have rights to have your privacy respected.

i had a landlord like that

told him a few times and he said he is inspecting for unauthorized tenants

talked to a lawyer friend and i packed up and left as I had been delaying last month rental. .. In lieu of deposit

landlord threatened to sue me

i sent a nice letter saying i Will sue him for invading my privacy and put cc HDB

case closed

regardless it is in the contract or not as per Singapore law landlord must seek permission before entering

beppi wrote:I don't think a landlord is allowed to enter a tenanted property without prior notification and in the absence of the tenant.
Why don't you lock your room?

Room is always locked when I leave for work. It is obvious that she has a spare key so she can do her ritual.

I can understand if she has to enter my room because I forgot to turn off a TV or an AC unit. It is not fair to leave these things running all day when I'm not home. But I don't even have the luxury to have those items. The room has no TV, no A/C and the only major electrical appliance is an Electric Fan which I always turned off when I leave.

This old lady is really driving me crazy.

carbotex wrote:

beppi wrote:I don't think a landlord is allowed to enter a tenanted property without prior notification and in the absence of the tenant.
Why don't you lock your room?

Room is always locked when I leave for work. It is obvious that she has a spare key so she can do her ritual.

i just re read your post

lady like old lady?

That's one fight you Will never win

my 2 cents says pack up and leave

some landlords especially old folks are extremely kiasu

no contest

ecureilx wrote:

i just re read your post

lady like old lady?

That's one fight you Will never win

my 2 cents says pack up and leave

some landlords especially old folks are extremely kiasu

no contest

I just googled the word "kiasu". It perfectly represents my landlady. It doesn't feel right to keep arguing with a very old grandmother and you are right I will never win.

Trust me, I really want to move out, but I signed for 12 months contract. My agent told me that I can leave after 6 months if I want my deposit back. That means 3 more months to deal with her bullshit. I wish I knew any friend lawyer to seek some advice.

I have done my little research and it seems like tenants have no rights in Singapore. The law favors the landlords.

Maybe you could try this:

Get an old pair of pants, shoes and duct tape. Attach the shoes to the pants. Stuff the pants with some stuff so that it looks like some legs are in the them. Duct tape this by the 'ankles.' Put under your bed such that it looks like there's a dead guy under your bed.

#imkiddingofcourse

carbotex wrote: I have done my little research and it seems like tenants have no rights in Singapore. The law favors the landlords.

You are wrong .. don't blame the law if you cant' stand up for your basic rights as a tenant .. I did .. as I said before ..

Never move in with an owner. The trouble they give you is not worth any savings in rental.

Marzuki wrote:Never move in with an owner. The trouble they give you is not worth any savings in rental.

Not true .. I have friends staying with owners who are much better then fellow room-mates .. who are room-mates from hell

carbotex wrote:Hi,

I'm renting a common room in the HDB flat. The owner is an old lady who has a fire phobia. She would enter my room freely every single day, to make sure that my windows are closed (her reason that a lit cigarette may enter the room and start a fire), then she would make sure all the electric outlet are in off position (I always turn off everything on my surge protector except the switch on the wall, her reason is a lightning might strike and start the fire) and many more.

I can tolerate most but I have problems with her entering my room freely, do tenants here in Singapore have privacy rights at all? She says that she has the right to enter the room anytime she wants to as long as she is not touching my property. Is this true?

Hi,

Find another room

go to yahoogroups and join "INDO-SING" groups

it is a group for Indonesians living in Sillypore

u can find information about room rental without agent fee and without owner

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I never like Singapore house owner

ngad0003 wrote: Find another room

go to yahoogroups and join "INDO-SING" groups

it is a group for Indonesians living in Sillypore

u can find information about room rental without agent fee and without owner

------------------------------------------------------------

I never like Singapore house owner

beg pardon, is the OP indonesian ???

I think the topic is about room rental and without landlord/agents. The Group name just happens to be the name and who the group mainly caters to. You, know, like Singaporean who frequent this forum, although it's an "expat" forum.......

Or are you suggesting we do some housecleaning here?

ecureilx wrote:

ngad0003 wrote: Find another room

go to yahoogroups and join "INDO-SING" groups

it is a group for Indonesians living in Sillypore

u can find information about room rental without agent fee and without owner

------------------------------------------------------------

I never like Singapore house owner

beg pardon, is the OP indonesian ???

And what if he's an Indian guy?
http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/sutra5 ... ht=#545477