[This article was updated on 30 October 2020 to reflect new information obtained by 99.co regarding the name and nationality of the errant tenant for accurate reporting.]
[2 November 2020: The 99.co editorial team is aware that there have been instances of harassment and personal attacks arising from the factual reporting of this news article. While public expressions of opinion and criticism are very much permissible under our laws, we do not condone any form of harrassment, whomever it originates from. Such acts, while out of the confines, reach and control of our website, have prompted us to review our article. Upon consideration, we have decided to redact information about the errant tenant’s line of work that are found in the original Shin Min News Daily report, which was initially included in our article as a lead-in to a relevant detail about the errant tenant using the rented premises as a place of business (in addition to a place of residence). We continue to stand firmly behind our reporting and thank our readers for their continued support.]
Agents and landlords, remember the name: Garie Sim Tiam Poh (沈添宝 in Chinese). This Singaporean tenant hit the headlines recently for attacking his landlord whom he owes over $60,000 in unpaid rent while refusing to move out, triggering a Police response and media coverage.
The unit that Sim had “rented” is a three-bedroom, 2,450 square feet unit at Bedok Court, where he reportedly lives with his wife and daughter. According to the landlord Mr. He, a 60-year old businessman, Sim has not paid a single cent aside from one month’s rent before moving in.
Speaking to Lianhe Wanbao, landlord He said Sim signed a one-year tenancy agreement for the unit in July 2019. (99.co verified that the rent was $4,000 a month.) After paying a month’s rent at the start, Sim started making excuses after moving in with this family.
The landlord recounted in Mandarin that Sim’s excuses include being unable to transfer the money from his overseas accounts, and that tens of millions of dollars have been confiscated by the monetary authority.
Sim even told the landlord he intended to buy the property, while refusing to move out nor pay a single cent. According to He, Sim now owes 15 months in rent totalling $60,000.
Landlord’s attempt to repossess unit turns ugly
Even though the original tenancy agreement had already expired, Sim refused to move out. This finally prompted He to forcefully repossess the unit with the help of his cousin and an electric saw to open the front gate of the unit.
He told Wanbao that they had only managed to saw through a few bars of the gate before Sim took a water hose to drench He and his cousin. After kicking He’s cousin, Sim called the Police to report they were being harrassed.
When the Wanbao reporter showed up, the Police were speaking to He at the void deck of the block. Sim refused to speak to the reporter.
The Police confirmed with the paper that they received a call for assistance at 295 Bedok South Ave 3 on Oct. 27, at 9:36am. Investigations into a case of voluntarily causing hurt and intentional harassment are ongoing.
[Must-read article: How to evict a troublesome tenant in Singapore]
93-year-old landlord fell prey to Garie Sim Tiam Poh
Landlord He wasn’t Sim Tiam Poh’s first victim. In 2017, Sin Min News Daily reported that Sim had pulled the same scam on a landed property at East Coast’s Second Street. The victim was 93-year-old landlord Mr. Pan, who told the paper that Sim moved into the terrace house with his family without paying a cent.
Sim lived in the terrace house from September 2014 to August 2015, owing Pan more than $39,000 in rent.
Pan recounted how his son had tried to collect rent from Sim during the first month. Sim accused Pan’s son of not informing him in advance and refused to pay, despite Pan saying that his son had indeed given advance notice.
On the next attempt, Sim said he was renovating the home and will only pay rent after the works are done. A few weeks later, Sim turned the tables on the landlord, attempting to slap Pan’s son with a $5,000 bill for renovation costs, with claims such as air-con maintenance work.
That was when Pan’s son decided to engage a lawyer. When Sim learned of it, he vacated the premises overnight without the landlord’s knowledge.
Subsequently, Sim set his sights on a semi-detached house along upper East Coast Road. The victim, a 60-year-old self-employed Mr. Seow, told the paper that Sim failed to pay the $5,800 in monthly rent, while accusing the landlord of issues such as water leakage and rat infestation, to the extent of alerting officers from the National Environment Agency (NEA) to investigate the property.
Eventually, Seow incurred more than $70,000 in costs, including legal fees, before Sim moved out. The court ordered Sim to pay Seow $23,000 in compensation; it is unknown if Seow has received the compensation (Seow had told the reporter in 2017 he had yet to receive the amount).
In total, Sim reportedly has had at least seven lawsuits filed against him for rental arrears, and has been ordered to pay up to $160,000 in compensation so far.
Unpaid rent? Landlord has right to re-enter property: Lawyers
If a tenant misses his or her rent, landlords should not wait long to take legal action. One reason is that claims of up to $20,000 can be heard at the Small Claims Tribunal (SCT) without the other party’s consent. The SCT allows landlords to pursue legal action at significantly lower cost. Other conditions, such as a maximum contract term of two years, applies for SCT claims.
If your claim does not meet the criteria to be heard at the SCT, you can speak to lawyers to commence a Writ of Summons or a Writ of Distress.
After 7 days of failure to pay rent, the landlord should send the tenant a notice of demand in writing. This can be done without engaging a lawyer. The landlord must include his/her name and address in the notice and serve it on the tenant at the rented-out property. The landlord should use registered mail to prevent the tenant from claiming that the notice had not been received.
Among other things, the notice of demand shall also state that the landlord “reserves the right to take legal action”. To prevent the landlord from seeking a court order, the tenant must pay the owed rent using registered mail to the landlord’s address within a deadline, which can be anywhere between seven days to two weeks.
According to lawyers at IRB Law LLP, a landlord is entitled to apply to the court for an order or judgment for the recovery of the property when the tenant has failed to pay rent that was due for 21 days or more, or is in serious breach of any terms in the tenancy agreement (e.g. subletting the unit).
After the landlord has received an order or judgment for recovery of the property, the landlord can use it to recover his possession of the property.
If a ‘right to forfeit’ the lease isn’t already included in the tenancy agreement, it is regarded that the lease is forfeited after rent is due and unpaid for 30 days. The lease is terminated when the landlord re-enters the property, which he/she has the absolute right to. (In case the errant tenant claims harrassment, it may be worth having your lawyer at the scene of repossession and/or recording the proceedings on video.)
All in all, landlords should not allow tenants to continue staying at the rented property for more than a month after the rent is due and unpaid. The rent arrears can be deducted from the tenant’s security deposit.
Another tip: Don’t skip the property agent, who can help you guard against horror tenants with their network and experience in tenant screening.
Last but certainly not least, agents, landlords and children of landlords must remember the name Garie Sim Tiam Poh. Based on past cases, Sim prefers to live in the East Coast and picks homes with large square footage, whether it’s landed properties or condos. He holds Singaporean citizenship and has shown a tendency to rent properties with older landlords.
How will you guard against horror tenants like Garie Sim Tiam Poh? Let us know in the comments below!
If you found this article helpful, 99.co recommends Common problems when co-existing with your tenant/landlord (and how to fix them) and Landlord Tips: 7 Ways to Minimise Vacancy for Residential Rental Property
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About Kyle Leung
Content Marketing Manager @ 99.co
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Dun worry Shen Tian children n descendants will suffer retribution for his evil deeds for preying on the elderly
What is the final outcome of all these cases ?
Is Shen persecuted? for cheating on Land lords?
Arrest him for causing hurt and deport him pls! Ban him from coming into our tiny ?!
Foreign tenants owning rental fee name should appear in a search property share rental portal .
With this information help the property agent facilitate well.
I propose to put the names of all the tenants who defaults rent in a black list available to the public
I was a landlord too. I had encountered once with a bad tenant. I padlock the unit so that he cannot access the unit . I did it when he was out just so that it will not endanger his life . I don’t want him to make a police report that I confine him
Can the goverment or the relevant authority ban such person or persons from entering Singapore for constant preying on the elderly
What actions have the law enforcers in Singapore done to help the elderly victims? Why is Shen on the loose to prey on innocent elderly again and again? Surely they could have arrested Shen and put him behind bars or deported him long ago.
Why we allow such foreigners prolonged stay in our country? Or what some like to claim we should be welcoming/tolerant of such foreign talents?
he is not a foreigner! Singaporean born and bred!! Do a more thorough search and you will find him on FB. His whole family is Singaporean
Govt shd publish names of all notorious tenants database. This will then be flag out in a name search online.
Should not allow these shameless ppl to continue.
They should get evicted out of Singapore. Also have a website with all the names and photographs of such idiots.
Deport him. Its unsafe if he behaves this way. Why keep him here
So much for importing such foreign trash from China!!!! Disgusting and shameless. He probably knows the weaknesses of the local law and how to “play ” with it.
This is absurd. Are these landlords hypnotised?
How could they allow the tenant to accumulate the rental amounting tens of thousands? Moments rental unpaid for 2 months, should severely question them, leave no chances for rental continuation and booted them out. There should b initial agreement in letters before rental proceeding. Is this fake news?
Such foreigners should be deported and banned from returning. I’m sure many countries would do that if you committed offences such as scams.
Why is he allowed to rent the condo when he has skipped paying for the earlier rents. The property agent should have known about him.
Should make him pay all the landlords he cheated on rentals for such a ridiculously long period of time till he declared a bankrupt.
Seriously to ban him and his family from entry to Singapore. If legal action was not taken against him, he may continue to find loop holes to get away with his plotted crimes. His plot might sadly becomes a ‘trend setter’ for others also with ill intention to follow suit.
We don’t want to be the next victim to these people of ill intentions!!
Shen should be held accountable for all the outstanding rents owed to all the landlords affected by his disregard for the laws of Singapore. He’s a criminal. He should not be allowed to rent any property until all his debts have been settled.
First engage a lawyer when you are renting out your house. Ask for down payment of 3 or 6 mo nths arrears before allowing them to move in. Do not fall prey to foreigners tenants from neither land, especially from China, India… Do not just want to save money and become a victim. If you want to have compassion, give it to our own Singaporean homeless people!
Those cheated by him should come together to take 1 united action against him
….. and the government should get involved since they brought them in. Revoke their “whatever” status and send them back to China. We don’t need people cheating our systems in our country.
If so many law suits against hin, why isn’t he prosecuted? What are the laws for? Shen even preyed on older landlords? He is such a despicable asshole, he will get his retribution and karma to his family.
Why isn’t the govt doing anything? Ban him from entering Singapore to stop him from doing this.
Sometimes if you are lucky you can get good tenants. Sometimes not so lucky you can get terrible plus horrible tenants. I had very bad experience with my tenants. Just be more vigilant and don’t trust the agents too much.
Nothing you can do.The law will not protect you.If you lock his door the law will come after you.The only thing i can say is SUAY.
This is Foreign Talent?
Shen Tianbao is also known as Garie Sim Tiam Poh. He is a Singaporean. My family fell victim to him too. He has been cheating many landlords for years but has never been arrested or prosecuted despite police reports made against him, getting a lawyer to fight our case, going to the Small Claims Tribunal etc. It seems that he is “invincible” and beyond the law. That is why he is still able to continue renting and cheating landlords with impunity. What is wrong with our law to allow this person to keep cheating???
Thank you for your information. We have verified it and updated the article accordingly. If you don’t mind, can you share your encounter with Garie with us? My email is kyle.leung@99.co
Amazing. How can such a person still be running around. What’s the authorities doing about this?
If tenancy is done thru 99.co, what are the responsibilities of the agent?
Is he a foreigner?? Though the name sounds like?, and if he is, how can be in Sg for so long scamming people.
Haha! That’s what happened when when the background and credentials foreign talents are not checked properly. Such black sheeps gave other proper and honest FT a lingering bad name and vibes.
I have dealt with a similar case before. Always make sure the Tenancy Agreement is properly signed and stamped. All deposits and advance rents paid and cheques cleared before agreeing to hand over possession of the property. In cases where Tenant wanted to give cheques upon hand over this is a definite warning sign to abort the deal! Not only we don’t earn our commission but also dragged into months of troubles and endless nightmares!
Our system has obviously fail us. If the law of Singapore, including police force let him go away Scott free the first time, these scum bags will get bolder and claim more victims.
Unfortunately, many times, the system is useless in protecting Singaporeans and scumbags can get away with cheating, whether it’s cheating rental, salary or renovation money. These people just ignore lawyer letters and not pay. They think what can Singapore law system and police do except send letters to them which they can just simply ignore.
Yes, good suggestion! Can’t let the act of these rats go undetected!
we need to have govt registry like what US AND UK have. once the owner makes a claim against the tenant in state courts and if success ful then the tenant name to be automatically added to the registry so that the landlords can check the registry before renting out.
This type of tenant is common in China. But landlords in China can use heavy arm tactics where in Singapore we can’t. Even in China this type of tenants can get away with their tricks most of the time, because they are good in choosing weak landlord.
I agree. Estate agents should keep a public directory of blacklisted tenants who regularly defaulted on their rentals.
A search at the courts could show up the cases involving tenants who defualted.
Perhaps as a servive to clients (both landlords and tenants, the agent should have an end of tenancy feedback so that horror landlords could also be blacklisted
This is a true case of cheating. He pre planned all this so he can stay in sg for free. The police sld charge him in court, send him to jail and banned him and his family from entering singapore.
What is the authorities doing especially SPF and the Property Dept. doing, this is totally absurd unacceptable. Just because they are foreigner n from mainland special treatment.He should have been arrested and charged and deport immediately.
The tenant’s name suggest he’s from China. Jus an educated guess
Yes. A property rental information sharing portal is great.
It common for PRC doing it. Even out G also got conned many many times by prc companies and local govt… however our G still like them to be here to trick naive sporeans !!! Most around the world already awoke up to prc scheme but yet our naive pay&pay not and if they lose then be coming after their sheeps snd lambs citizens.
Our TV media still naive too that trump will lose are fake new too. hahahaha….
It happens too often. I personally feel that our mata very good at catching own people, but not so good at catching foreigners. It’s like reverse discrimination against us. Jus my humble personal opinion.
You try with me….i will arrange your Funeral free of charge…..with your decompose body. Whoever it may be….
With the number of foreigners exceeding 1 million, and with many locals renting, the government should regulate the rental market. Currently, the rental contract is a private agreement and any dispute is a civil matter.
A dispute resolution board should preside over cases that cannot be resolved amicably. There are bad tenants as well as bad landlords. Such a board could conduct hearing from both sides and resolved by a court appointed official with powers to impose penalties. The officials may be self funded by applicants to resolve dispute. Most importantly, the guilty party, and all the cases should be publicly available information. Again, a small fee to search for recalcitrant parties will help to fund the board and hearings.
I have also encountered a bad tenant which I would like to share too. Singaporean with a UK spouse. They are retirees and rented my place in Jan 2020. During June, they called to say their pension from UK didn’t come through because of Covid and to cut the story short, they used up 2 months of the deposits. In Sept, we asked about the situation what they really want since they are not paying, they said what can I do to them if they don’t move and asked me to send them Court order. Eventually, they said since we gave them bad energy, they decided to move out on 31st Oct, 2020. They did not pay me a single cent for Oct rental as they want us to wait till 31st Oct. ( they breached all the agreement in the contract and yet they want me to wait for my rental )..
I have made police report but they are unable to help.
I have contacted Lawyers but we have to pay fees to evict them. The amount is not small ( a few thousand) if we need to evict the tenants. We have to balance the amount if we should purse the matter engaging lawyer.
I feel our gov should also protect the landlords on these nasty tenants. I only know I have no one to turn to unless I pay for lawyer’s fee to evict them. The tenant just simply ignore the signed agreement when they get nasty.
These are all loopholes in the rental system. Lack of basic checks on Tenants because Agents representing the tenants are more keen in closing the deal. This particular tenant is exploiting the loopholes time and time again because landlords and the legal system can’t keep up with him. I pity the landlords, nothing they could have done if they are up against such experienced hustlers. Time for us agents or professionals in the property market to have a collective database!
If it’s a single case then yes it’s a civil case. But his modus operandi is the same for all 3 cases. It’s clear that he’s out to cheat the landlords. Cheating is criminal and authorities should do something about this!
What are our police going to do about this? Stand there and do nothing as usual?
He’s a Singaporean and a cheat. There should be more that can be done to protect landlords against this kind of people. Its an absolute nightmare.
Housing property agent also responsible for this rental problem for helping the foreigner to rent in Singapore.
Isn’t it the article said he is a Singaporean? Why all this bashing on foreigner? Someone even made a educated guess! OMG
Lots of blind keyboard warriors here. If unsure, do a search on the web page before shooting one’ mouth off
The laws r stacked against landlords. Must make Police Report first before locking out tenant from the main door when tenant is out. In my case she called locksmith both times n re-enter like nothing .
When police came, police sided with tenant n said she can continue to squat in my apt until she was served the court papers, n told her if she need utilities, she can apply for it, why not …if her utilities were cut. She was 4 mths in rent arrears.
I tried to cut her utilities. I wrote to Singapore Power. That took 5 letters n 8 days with copies to the CEO back in 2013. SP reluctance to cut supplies becos they must give their utilities on demand as long as u can show IC or WP green card.
What about the fact SP utilities need the landlord’s infra structures like landlord’s air con units n appliances and internal pipes to deliver its utilities to this non-payer who had no intention to pay SP from Day 1.
She did not pay any SP bills for 14 mths since move- in. Each time power was cut, she got another foreigner green card n reapply afresh n got the utilities.
When SP finally came to disconnect the electric supplies from the meter box outside the door, she simply removed the fastenings that tied up the electric cables outside. SP had to come back again n this time totally cut the cables AND the water supply also.
Without power but if water available, she can still squat inside using candlelight. She drove a sports car n rented a landed house for her foreign students but she herself stayed in my flat.
By the time she decided Not to come back becos no power n water, my 5 aircons n new washing machine was totally wrecked becos she had turned them on 24/7 n sent all her student tenants staying in the landed nearby to my flat for laundry n drying.
The letterbox was jammed full of unopened SP Bills (14 mths). I still have a photo of this huge pile of unopened SP envelopes n wrote to SP that its system of giving utilities to anyone On Demand is wrong, n it is unfair to consumers who pay their bills as we paying ones hv to underwrite all these delinquency costs that is no doubt passed on to end consumers.
These red little dots law has always been one sided. Nothing new. Only difference is it’s getting more one sided than before.
Yes i concede. My educated guess was wrong. But hey, I did state categorically that it was a guess, and not the gospel truth ???
So this family did this repeatedly several times already.
So they can just go around and keep staying in people’s houses for free, and even if sued, so what? Even if landlord wins the court case, they don’t have to pay and the police won’t catch them anyway?
I thought SG is a place where ppl don’t dare to mess with the law cos law offenders surely will get caught. But it seems in this case the family is perpetually able to swindle others, stay for free and have no repercussions whatsoever!
Doesn’t this encourage other people to come swindle, stay for free and abuse our people??? They can just ignore the court orders to pay as they won’t get arrested. They don’t even need to pay a fine!
My sympathies to all the landlords who have met such terrible renters in the past and posted their helplessness experiences here. Thank you for sharing your stories. Please ask future renters to provide past landlord information so you can call and ask their experience with the renter.
Maybe all the landlords should band together and share information such as black list names of bad renters! These terrible people should not be allowed to keep doing this!
This is scary to know for sg.
The articles is very informative. Thanks a lot.
Guys they are NOT FROM CHINA!!!!!! They are Singaporean born and bred. He goes by Garie Sim, no one knows his as Sim tian poh. His wife is Tresa Ho Sim. The picture posted is completely wrong!!!!