A much needed post!

Apologies for the lack of blog posting, I believe its been a month since my last one? To be honest, I don't think I've been brilliant at this blogging business, if you've read my earlier posts you would know that this was set up for a class and then it was something I decided to keep with because I found it to be rather interesting. But now I've left Singapore, I'm not too sure what to do with it anymore...

I'm in Hong Kong right now because I didn't want to go back to England so soon! So I've been here for a month and the realisation that I don't have long left in Asia finally sunk in and I leave for England in less than 2 weeks =( *sob* So I guess if I wanted to do things right, I should have blogged about the things in Hong Kong too?? But ah wells, HK is a great place to be and the perk it has against Singapore is that the streets are still very much alive after work and only simmers down around midnight (no offence Singapore). That's mainly the reason why I've been mostly tweeting around midnight because it's when I come back, settle down and relax from the day and check out any news I might have missed.

I have been working on a final 'farewell to Singapore' type of post but I'm finding it difficult. I'm not sure whether it's because I don't want to have to say goodbye, or whether I really want the post to be perfect? So many things I can reflect on or give tips on about Singapore I just don't know how to squeeze it all in.

Anyhow, it's still being drafted, although to be honest, I haven't really touched it in the past week and the coming week looks to be rather eventful too...

Perhaps the perfect post might come to mind when the reality of goodbye finally arrives? That'll probably be when I'm back in England and back in my home comforts that I left a year ago.

landlord is F****ing retarded

Update:

Turns out SP services doesn't charge for the reconnection fee, so Landlord was making it up? Well actually, no, SP services charges reconnection in an emergency case, but they reconnected 3 days after so it wasn't an emergency so there was no charge... but the landlord told us there was?? ¬.¬

But, today, when my housemate met with the landlord once again for the assessment, the "damages" didn't amount to a lot of money, something like $100-$200 for miscellaneous things. BUT, instead of the $360 extra rent that my housemate initially told me, the landlord decided to charge us $250 per night for the delay of the assessment, so that's $750 extra rent!!!! WTF?! His argument was that this is not written in the contract so he can do whatever the hell he wants!! &#%@#~&^&&%@@!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So my housemate said that if he continues to be unreasonable she'll go to the small claims tribunal. He said that she can but he'll increase the amount per day until an agreement is reached. A second "contract" had to be signed to show that the "damages" are agreed upon, so if my housemate didn't sign it the handover would not be complete and there'll be a daily charge until an agreement is made, so if she went to the small claims tribunal without signing anything, we would have risked losing everything or paying out more. He even said that he's had tenants before who sought legal help against him and none of them were successful. That doesn't scare us,it just tells us that he's a complete dick and likes to bully his tenants and is an unreasonable landlord.

I mean come on Singapore! I know the contract is usually made in favour of the landlord, he has more to lose if tenants don't behave, but why does a contract still back the landlord if they abuse their power? It provides no flexibility for tenants if unforeseen problematic circumstances come into play. Why do you make it so that they can bully their tenants, show no responsibility/DOC and forcing them to agree to unreasonable terms?

My non-Singaporean friends say that my landlord sounds typically Singaporean. It's people like him that give Singaporeans a bad name, which is such a shame.

Click here to read more


So On the 15th June 2009, the tenancy for my place ended and told my landlord that my housemate would be doing the handover on my behalf as I can't be in Singapore and she will collect the deposit too.

I receive an e-mail from one of my housemates. Here is what they wrote to me:

"Karen!!!!!... ok basically the utilities were cut off yesterday [the 15th] and none of us knew about it so I arrange to meet ONG at 730, but it was cut off at 6 - apparently from what [housemates] said. So ONG would not do the hand over because he cannot check the aircons and fridge and leakages etc.
ONG thinks we did this on purpose just so he cant check anything and give back more money than he should.. but apparently they have to turn it off when the SP office closes for the day - i.e. 6
We tried to arrange for ONG to do the handover on Sunday [I'm guessing they mean the 14th June?] but he couldn't make it so we had to do the last day instead...

...So he tried to get SP services to switch it back on for one day (at a cost of 50 sd or something) to test it out. But SP cant do it until Thursday then [&@^'*#] ONG however will CHARGE us for these three days (which is 360!! even though he knows we are not living there since we have all moved out and returned the keys (he says he knows we have duplicates and will try to come back and stay or something even though there is no [#£^$%@] water or gas or electricity, how can we [%$"£*#] COME BACK, IDIOT!!!!!)"

O.k. first of all, we don't have duplicates of the keys, why the hell would we make more copies of a key that serves us no purpose or use? Besides, it would cost $25-$30 PER KEY because they're not just any old type of key. We're University students, where we buy things that are cheap and don't waste money on making duplicate keys that cost more than our t-shirts.

I admit I cocked up on the utilities bit because I asked for it to be cancelled on the 15th but I had no idea that SP Services would cut off at 6pm! It would have been nice to have been told, but then again I admit that it was probably wrong of me to assume that they would automatically cut it off at midnight somehow, so I don't mind being charged the $50 reconnection fee. I'm sure that's a common newbie mistake?

BUT TO CHARGE US 3 DAYS RENT OF SD$360 WHEN THE LANDLORD HAS ALREADY TAKEN THE KEYS IS JUST WRONG!... I'm willing to compromise at one day's rent for the day that the utilities gets switched back on, but for the full 3 days? Seriously, can he do that? He's already taken our keys, he just can't do the assessment without water or electricity. By contract, the tenancy has ended, we have no access to the house because HE'S TAKEN OUR KEYS, but he's charging us rent for 3 days? Days which have no water or electricity running to because SP services cut it off. Oh and did I mention HE TOOK THE KEYS! So how does that work out to be rent?? He has the keys, he just hasn't done the flat assessment.

The way that I see it is that he can only charge us $360 if he can prove that the 3 days actually are "damages" in the sense that he loses out on $360 worth of rent by delaying the assessment. The only costs I see at the moment is the reconnection fee at $50 in order to do the actual flat assessment which is the standard process. If he has had to delay new tenants moving in, then ok, I'll accept the rent charge, but I really don't think he has otherwise he would have made a point about it. I'm sure that I have a better picture of what my landlord's character is like than he has of mine, because whatever he thinks that I'm/we're doing, he's got totally wrong and is completely paranoid and delusional.

I've had a lot of problems with my landlord and agents involved, we've had our differences, but to be honest, I've never really won a battle with them. So part of me just wants to let him do whatever the hell he wants to get it all over and done with... but the thing is, it's not just my money involved, the money comes out of our deposit which comprises of money from all my housemates so it would be unfair for them too.

I've been trying to look at it from his point of view, tried to understand where his thoughts and assumptions came from but I really can't figure it out. He rents out a lot of properties so unless he's had previous tenants sneak back into property after their lease finished or other people have tried to figure out ways to scam him, he has no reason to think such absurd things. We're young and naive in a different country, why would we risk our deposit on silly schemes after all the problems we've been through.

For me personally, it's no longer about how much money he charges because I get it, he's a landlord, he will try and milk as much money as he possibly can, it's about whether he's being fair...I can't help but think that charging us 3 days extra rent is wrong?

Help and advice anyone?
=(

If by any chance you're reading this and can't comment or whatever, please email me: karen[dot]ht[dot]wan[at]googlemail[dot]com

Kiasuism = Irrational threats?

Today has proved it. My Landlord is the most Kiasu person I know (or the most ridiculous) because he threatened to take legal action against me for not being available at 4pm today to let prospective tenants view the place! Or that's how it seemed... I'm rather offended actually, but also find it rather amusing . Now all of his past behaviours and him refusing me to leave one month early all kind of makes sense... especially now I know he's asking for a monthly rental of $2800 for the place (I'm paying freaking $3600!!!!!... Yes I know it's really expensive, I guess I got cheated and taken advantage for being a foreigner?)

I mean I know Singaporeans are very "Kiasu" but seriously? Legal action? What could I possibly be charged for? Having a life? Not being present in my own home? Or trying to reorganise a viewing for the prospective tenants?

Which brings me to think that the Singaporean "Kiasu" mentality makes them think and act irrationally and suffer from unnecessary paranoia? That, or my Landlord is just an arse.

Click the Post title to find out how/why my Landlord threatened me with legal action.


So here's the story:

Yesterday my agent messaged me to say there were people interested in viewing the property (my tenancy is up on June 15th) and says if 4pm tomorrow is OK?

I knew that I wouldn't be in at 4pm, so asked my other housemates if they would be free around that time. One of them said they would. So I replied to my agent saying that 4pm is fine.

Then, today, something came up for my housemate and he told me that he couldn't be home in the afternoon, so this meant that no one would be home for people to view the place.

So I messaged the agent telling her the situation and asked if it's possible to postpone or set another day? Then I was busy for an hour or so and was unable to hear and check my phone during this time. Then when I was free, I checked my phone and received 2 texts from my agent, 1 text from my Landlord and 3 missed calls from him too.

The agent's message said she had already confirmed with the other party, it's late notice to cancel, confirmation was given last night by both parties, please assist in viewing at 4pm if possible (something along those lines).

The message from my landlord said "KAREN. How can you turn down my agent appointment to view the house today at 4pm which u had agreed. They have group of 5 viewer as I told you in my email, at least 1 of u must be home. Hope it won't end up in legal action against u. Await ur phone call. Ong"

I never did receive an email, I checked it last night before I went to bed and first thing this morning when I woke up, then checked it again after I read the sms just to make sure. Still received nothing....

So I realised that word got round to my landlord pretty quick. I thought O.K. I'll ring the agent first because she deals with the other party, tell her that it was just an unforeseen circumstance and that I meant nothing by requesting to postpone the viewing. The only thing I could do is ask if 8pm is ok. She said she will have to ask the Landlord's agent and get back to me.

She didn't get back to me til 8pm, to tell me that people will be viewing at 8:30. I wish she had got back to me earlier, because I was going to ring the landlord after she confirmed and explained to him that there was some misunderstanding, I was not refusing to cooperate and offered a different time for the viewing. But it was probably too late by that time to have called him about it.

But really... LEGAL ACTION?! Seriously landlord, agents etc, do you really need to go to extreme lengths when you don't get your way and over something that has a very reasonable and logical explanation? Such a threat is just unnecessary! My landlord has just embarrassed himself because it's not like I was refusing entry or refusing to cooperate! I could have used legal action against him and/or the agents in the past over something unreasonable but decided not to because I thought that was too extreme and thought we could try and be civil. Obviously the Landlord doesn't think the same way.

I am truly disappointed in him.

*sigh*

Giving up your seat on the MRT

Yesterday I was on the MRT heading to the opposite side of the country with my room mate, as it was a long journey I was in a world of my own. Until my room mate said to me "Why is no one giving up their seat for that old man?" (we were standing in between the carts). So I looked to my right and there was an uncle in his 60's or 70s standing in front of a "priority seat" and holding onto the rail. The "priority seat" was taken up by a young female probably in her mid to late 20s... she didn't look pregnant, nor was she injured in any way... she looked perfectly healthy and probably should have given up her seat. After all the priority seats are encouraged to be given to the elderly, the pregnant, those with kids or the injured.

The woman in the priority seat actually got off a stop or two after the uncle got on the MRT. So of course she could have easily sacrificed her seat for 2 to 4 minutes?!

I remember reading in the paper once that this one person travels by MRT everyday and they have never seen anyone give up their seat for an Uncle or Aunty in their life. On the other hand, on many occasions I've seen people offer their seats to the elderly on the MRT. I've even been offered a seat by someone after they saw that my left foot/ankle was swollen and thought I had an injury, which was incredibly nice! Maybe the people that travel on the NEL are just nicer? Hehe.

Perhaps there was a diffusion of responsibility yesterday, or maybe Singaporeans aren't that nice after all, or their lazy, or their kiasusm reached an extreme as to where they got their seat and refuse to give it up?????

So here's the question, when should you give up your seat on the MRT or bus and to whom?... Actually maybe it should be what makes you give up/NOT give up your seat?

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

The closest thing you'll get to a rain forest in Singapore is Bukit Timah's Nature Reserve. With different hiking trails and even a cycling trail within the forest grounds brings you into another dimension of Singapore away from all the city buzz and modernity. Although I must say, the residential district of Bukit Timah is rather lovely.

There are 3 different paths you can take each with a different level of 'intensity' and all lead you up 163m to Bukit Timah Summit. After that you can mozy back down or carry on walking around the rain forest and see if you can spot monkeys and squirrels on your way or weird twisting tree branches like the one we saw on our way up (pictured right). We also spotted monkeys out of the park on our way to the bus stop, there were more roaming around the residential area than actually in the rain forest!

A lovely peaceful day out for the family or just for a walk and some exercise that doesn't have to be boring. Entrance is FREE!

Happy Mother's Day Singapore!

It's Mother's Day in Singapore today so here's wishing all the Mother's a lovely day and I hope their families show their appreciation and love to you for all the things you've done!

...

Maybe I'll ring my own mum wishing her another Happy Mother's Day later today (it was Mother's Day back in March for the UK).

When you're looking for accommodation in Singapore

So recently I've had a really stressful time with my accommodation situation due to a mixture of a bad agent (ours), the landlord's arse of an agent, a rather suspicious landlord, ungrateful/selfish/uncaring/misunderstanding/uncooperative bad housemate(s), and my virginity to house hunting in the "real" world. So, for the new house hunters, pushovers and the naive, here are a few pointers for when you're looking for a place in Singapore:

1. If your new to house hunting (like I am/was) it's important to fully understand that property is where people can get a lot of money from, fast. Yes Singapore is a lovely country, and yes, Singaporeans are generally lovely people too. But when it comes to estate agents, they're money grabbing whores they're still after a sale and will do what it takes to get it. So Just keep an eye on your agent and don't be afraid to ask for exactly what you want. Some will tell you lies about the landlord's position, some will disclose information from you, and some will try to push you to sign things. How you deal with your agent will depend on which one of the above you come across. You're incredibly lucky if you get a nice agent or even one that does everything well and then disappear after the contract is signed and after you pay them their agent fee (because they're not much use after that anyways). Which brings us to the next point.
   
   
2. The agent fee. This is only paid if they successfully find you a place and you agree to sign the contracts. The agent's fee is normally half the property rent. Make sure you check with them first as some do charge a full month's rent.
   
   
3. Negotiate negotiate negotiate. 1st thing to negotiate is the rent price, this is just so you get a better deal, even if you think it's cheap compared to what you're used to back in your home country. If they won't budge, try to get some other deals instead. You're paying the agent half your month's rent, make them work for it! That's if they're not doing their work properly in the first place. If you're a student, a good one to ask for is that you're deposit will be used to pay for the FINAL months rent. Only do that if you don't need the deposit at the end. Make sure you get this in writing in the contract, or if not, speak to the landlord and see if you can have a mutual agreement on this. (This is where most of my problems came from)

4. Read the contract carefully. This may sound like common sense, but sometimes the wording of the contracts are so formal and archaic with lots of "herein to" appearing two or three times in the same clause with some other old fancy sounding words that confuse the hell out of you and detracts your attention away from the main point of the clause. So under confusion you end up agreeing to it without understanding fully what it means.
   
   
5. The biggest estate agencies in Singapore such as ERA are not necessarily the most reliable. My agent was an ERA (Electronic Realty Associates) representative and she was nice... at the beginning. Then she turned sour when things got complicated. But that's not to say all ERA agents or general estate agents are like that, I know some students had great agents and delivered everything that was asked for. It's easy to think that because they're from one of the largest realty companies in Singapore they should be more reliable. WRONG! You should be aware that their representatives can be any Tom, Dick or Harry because they accept and hire pretty much anyone.
   
   
6. Make sure you have housemates you can rely on. Not exactly relying on them in the sense that they'll take a bullet for you, just rely on them enough so that they'll pay rent (the right amount of rent) and that they understand that a shared house means shared responsibility. I found that this is something that is personally very important to me, not only from the past year but from the past 3 years since living away at University.
   
   
7. Speak to your landlord. Not only after you've moved in but during the negotiation and pre-moving in stage too. Sometimes agents may say straight up that something is not possible without even going to the landlord, but if you actually ask the landlord yourself, who knows you may just get what you want. A friend had an agent who would tell them stories about the owners such as their landlord was some big shot guy who bought the house for his son but his son didn't want it so is now renting it out and doesn't really need the money anyways. Turns out their landlord worked in a store in Sim Lim and actually does need the money. Make sure you know your landlords so you know who they are and building some sort of relationship can be helpful especially if you're gonna have to deal with them in the future anyways. They're the ones who have the final say, so it's better to go straight to them and try your luck.
   
   
8. It's o.k. to be a bitch/arse. After all, these are the terms and conditions that you'll be living under. Might as well be selfish and make sure they're the terms you're happy with. Obviously don't be too mean or too aggressive because that's just general bad practice and you might lose out in the end, and obviously don't make too many requests or be plain uncooperative.
   
   
9. Get everything in writing. Everything that your agent says you can do or should be able to do, get it in writing or have it in the contract.Well this should have been done in my case but it helps for future reference.
   
   
10. If the building is old, check that it's not going to be demolished after a few months. This happened with a batch of Fall 2008 exchange students where they found a place at Killiney Road only to be told that it was to be torn down after 3 or 4 months... Singapore has a tendency to build over old things to keep the island modern.

If you're an SMU exchange student and you're not looking to stay in the student hostels and want a place of your own, then do refer to the white list of agents you'll be given by the international office before you get here. Take note of the ones on the black list too, just in case you might come across them as they might represent your landlord. (Both our agent and the landlord's agent made it on the black list, but our agent no longer works for ERA now so who knows if she's still in real estate).

For hassle free accommodation then stick to the hostels that are suggested by your school. They're recommended for good reasons!

So don't be too naive when you're house hunting (like I was), and stand your ground when you need to. Don't let the greatness of Singapore cloud your judgements and remember that not ALL Singaporeans are nice.

Hope this helps and good luck! =)