9 Things Your Landlord Shouldn’t Be Doing in Singapore

Most tenants are very relaxed about what their landlord does. Too relaxed, in fact. But here are a few things that you need to call out your landlord on:

1. Entering the property without notifying you

The terms of your Tenancy Agreement (TA) should state when your landlord can enter the property. If you are using the template TA by the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA), note the following line:

“The Tenant shall permit the Landlord…at all reasonable times by prior appointment to enter the said Premises…”

Landlords cannot just sneak into the property whenever they want, and do “spot checks”. They need to contact you for permission first; and you can ask for a different date, time, etc. if it’s required. It’s not fair to ask you to rush down from work now because your landlord wants to check something.

As the terms of the TA are not standardised by law, you can to include a minimum amount of notice beforehand (e.g. ask that you have a minimum of one working day’s notice, and that this be reflected in the TA).

Incidentally, some landlords can be sneaky about this. They may drop by unexpectedly with a basket of fruit, drinks, etc. as a friendly gesture; but it might be a way to check out the house without prior notice!

2. Barging in with strangers for a “short viewing” with just a few hours notice

There may be times when your landlord needs to allow others in for viewings – this is when they are trying to sell the house, or toward the end of your tenancy if they are looking for your replacement. Almost all TAs have a provision for this.

However, most TAs should require your landlord to provide early notice (typically 48 hours in advance). Viewings can involve showing strangers the entire house, including your room – so you should be allowed time to prepare.

You shouldn’t be called while at work or school, just to be told complete strangers will be poking around your room “in about an hour”.

3. Asking you to try “unofficial” methods to fix things

If there’s exposed wiring or a leak, your landlord should not be saying “it happens all the time, try some masking tape or sealant”.

First, most TAs specifically forbid tenants to attempt repairs. These are called “self-help remedies”, and you can be held liable if they go wrong. If your landlord is specifically asking you to try such measures, make sure you get it in writing.

For example, if they tell you to jab the air-conditioner with a broom handle to get it going, make sure they’re texting that. If it’s just verbal, they may later claim they never told you to try and fix it.

Second, it’s your landlord’s property and responsibility. They should be ensuring its good condition by getting a professional to fix things – tenants are not supposed to be free labour. Also, some of the fixes might be dangerous if they involve, say, electrical wires.

4. Try to change the conditions of the TA partway through the lease

Your landlord cannot add or change conditions of the TA once it’s been signed, for the duration of the lease. For example, if you have a 12-month lease and your TA says you can smoke in the unit (with the windows open), your landlord can’t suddenly decide on the third month that they want no smoking in the house.

Some landlords may try to come to unofficial deals (e.g. they’ll collect less rent than the TA states, if you agree to no longer smoke in your house). It’s inadvisable to accept this kind of deal, as it means both parties are now in violation of the TA. Should there be disputes or legal issues later, it can put you at a disadvantage.

5. Installing monitoring equipment that invades your privacy

Your landlord should not be installing hidden cameras, or other undisclosed monitoring equipment, inside the property. The presence of such devices should be known to you, before you even agree to sign anything.

(You could choose to accept the monitoring and go ahead with the rental, but we can’t see how that would be pleasant stay).

An exception to this is, of course, surveillance equipment aimed outside the house; such as a CCTV aimed at the common corridor. But if your landlord does install such devices, make sure you ask why – you don’t want to live in a unit that’s targeted by loan sharks!

6. Asking you to store dangerous or contraband substances in the house

Never accept a request to store something dangerous or illegal. The property should be free of items like unlicensed cigarette cartons, pirated movie DVDs, exotic animal parts, etc.

Remember that, because you are staying on the property, you could later be fingered as the owner of these items.

Also, note that your landlord should not be pressuring you to accommodate such requests, such as by charging you less rent, installing a new TV for you, etc. Accept nothing, as doing so could cause you to be labelled as an accomplice.

Contact your property agent (or a legal representative) for immediate help if this happens.

7. Your landlord cannot just change the locks if they’re unhappy with you

Regardless of any ongoing dispute, your landlord is not allowed to lock you out this way. They also cannot “confiscate” your belongings by putting it in a room and changing the lock to the door.

Seek legal help if your landlord does this.

8. Your landlord cannot conduct non-essential works during your tenancy, if you don’t agree to it

Say your landlord wants to install a new feature wall in the living room, or a to replace all the floor tiles. If you think that would be fabulous and totally agree, that’s great. But if don’t want to live in a construction site for a month, this will probably annoy you.

In which case, bear in mind that you have a right to enjoy the unit in peace and quiet, if you’re paying the rent. You can refuse such requests, provided they aren’t related to essential works such as repairs.

9. Your landlord can’t start “trimming down” the furnishings if you rented it partially or fully furnished

Take note of what’s included, if you rent with partial or full furnishings. A landlord cannot back down on what’s provided later. For example, if you rented a fully furnished condo with a working dryer, your landlord can’t decide to move the dryer back to her own house later, if hers break down.

Likewise, the landlord shouldn’t remove things on the inventory list without updating it. If there’s an antique desk on the list, and your landlord moves it out of the house, you should insist the change be documented.

What else should homeowners do before selling their house? Voice your thoughts in our comments section or on our Facebook community page.

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