“Landlord kept my deposit for no reason.” “The agent stopped replying after I transferred the money.” “I have bed bugs and the owner refuses to pay for fumigation.”
I don’t have to look far to find rental horror stories in Singapore. The market is hot, and with high demand comes a rise in scams, predatory clauses, and unfair treatment. If you are currently hunting for a room, I want you to be vigilant.
Here are the top red flags verified by local tenant communities that I advise you to watch out for.
1. The “Too Good to Be True” Listing
Scammers often copy legitimate listings from property portals and repost them on social media or marketplaces at 50% of the market rate. They will claim they are “overseas” and ask you to transfer a deposit to “secure” the room before viewing.
- My Rule: Never transfer money before a physical viewing and verifying the ownership of the property.
2. The “Dictator” Tenancy Agreement
Always read the fine print. Some landlords include unreasonable clauses in the Tenancy Agreement. I recommend watching out for visitor bans or laundry limits that state you can only wash clothes once a week. Also, be wary of professional cleaning clauses that demand you pay for professional chemical cleaning of curtains or carpets upon exit, even if they aren’t dirty.
3. The Inventory Trap
A common dispute involves landlords withholding security deposits for “damages” that were already there when you moved in, such as a scratch on the floor or a stain on the mattress.
- The Fix: You must take detailed photos and videos of every inch of the room on your first day and send them to the landlord immediately.
The Safe Harbor: Institutional Landlords
The safest way to avoid these pitfalls is to remove the “individual landlord” variable entirely. When looking for a secure room to rent in Singapore, I strongly suggest considering an institutional provider like Cove.
Cove offers a secure, professional alternative to the “wild west” of the open market.
- Standard Contracts: There are no hidden “dictator” clauses. The terms are fair, transparent, and standard across all properties.
- Professional Management: If something breaks, you log a ticket with their operations team. You don’t have to beg a landlord to fix the aircon.
- Deposit Protection: Cove is a reputable company with a clear process for check-outs, meaning you don’t have to worry about a rogue owner stealing your deposit.
With Cove, you get the peace of mind that comes with a professional service. This ensures your Singapore stay is memorable for the right reasons, not for the legal battles.