{"id":12698,"date":"2017-11-28T07:21:18","date_gmt":"2017-11-27T23:21:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.99.co\/blog\/singapore\/?p=12698"},"modified":"2022-07-01T04:10:25","modified_gmt":"2022-06-30T20:10:25","slug":"rental-property-illegal-activities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.99.co\/singapore\/insider\/rental-property-illegal-activities\/","title":{"rendered":"How to tell if your rental property is being used for illegal activities"},"content":{"rendered":"
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From flats used as <\/span>brothels<\/span><\/a>, to illegal gambling dens, there are plenty of good reasons for landlords to be wary. Sure, some people may accuse you of being paranoid; but they\u2019re not the ones having to do damage control when it turns out the tenants hold senior management positions in a triad or something. Here are some ways to keep an eye on your rental property:<\/span><\/p>\n

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    Take note of sudden spikes in power and water bills<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    This is the earliest sign that something odd is going on. It\u2019s common for water and power bills to fluctuate, but look for significant increases over a prolonged period.<\/span><\/p>\n

    As a loose rule of thumb, look for an increase of 20 per cent of more in water and power bills, over a period of three or more consecutive months. This could mean there are other residents in the rental property other than those stated in the tenancy agreement, so you should check for things like illegal subletting.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Alternatively, it\u2019s a sign that an unlicensed business may be conducted on the property. For example, using the kitchen of the rental property to bake cakes and pastries for sale – that often results in a sky high water and power bills. <\/span><\/p>\n

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      Ask the condominium security if anything odd is happening<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Your condo\u2019s security is often the first to notice something odd. It\u2019s partly because other residents raise the first complaints to them (e.g. loud noises, or big crowds of people frequenting your property). But there\u2019s another reason too:<\/span><\/p>\n

      When someone uses your property for an illegal business – such as a makeshift massage parlour – there\u2019ll be a bigger number of visitors. If there are six or seven cars coming in every day and dropping your house address, the guards will know it. If your tenant is illegally subletting, security will notice that new group of residents who never seem to have a pass card. <\/span><\/p>\n

      So if you think something\u2019s wrong, speak to your condo\u2019s security first. You can also tell them your suspicions; most security contractors are happy (and <\/span>kaypoh <\/span><\/i>enough) to keep an eye on your property, and drop you a message of strange goings-on. <\/span><\/p>\n

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        Google your rental property address from time to time, and see what turns up<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        When it comes to illicit businesses, like brothels and gambling dents, the address sometimes pops up online. There\u2019s sometimes a customer who can\u2019t shut up, and will blab about it on a forum or social media.<\/span><\/p>\n

        For that reason, Google your property address from time to time. You might see your property address appear on a sex-forum discussion, or a site discussing high stakes Poker games. At which point you can get shocked, blow your drink out your left nostril, and then shout about terminating the lease. <\/span><\/p>\n

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          Take note of increased maintenance <\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          If you\u2019re getting a lot more complaints about choked toilets, air-conditioners that need cleaning, or dryers \/ laundry machines breaking down, be on guard. It may be time for a proper inspection of your rental property, or to speak to condo security and neighbours.<\/span><\/p>\n

          On their own, these may be nothing. But if there\u2019s an overall increase in the need for maintenance, that could be due to a rise in the number of tenants. <\/span><\/p>\n

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            Be on friendly terms with the neighbours<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Whether you do it with a fruit basket or a bottle of wine every Christmas, always be on good terms with the neighbours. If they don\u2019t know you, they won\u2019t be inclined to text you that your tenant\u2019s had 40 different male visitors in one week (what they will do is send it to Stomp, for the $50).<\/span><\/p>\n

            Neighbours can also act as a deterrent to illicit businesses. If the neighbours are your friends, ask them to name-drop you on occasion (e.g. they can tell the tenant \u201c<\/span>I thought there would only be five residents, <insert your name> told me last week<\/span><\/i>). They can be a way to tell your tenants not to even <\/span>think <\/span><\/i>about trying something funny.<\/span><\/p>\n

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              During official inspections, keep an eye out for certain things<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              When you get the chance to inspect the property, look for the following:<\/span><\/p>\n