As foreigner we need to adapt and learn about the new place we are adjusting to, we try to compromise and accept the ways things are because we are not too familiar and don’t want to offend anyone. However for the half year I have been in Singapore, I have been cheated and deceived by the people I should trust and had understand they would look out for the best interest of both party.

When I first move into the unit BLK262 Bishan St 22, APT#05-287, I wanted to clean the unit so I decided to take out all the drawers in the kitchen and clean… OMG!! dead cockroaches inside the humidifier, eggs on some of the utensils and more cockroach eggs in the shelves and drawers. The owner didn’t even clean the unit prior to me entering. Landlord said it was clean, just trusted and went, I was so disgusted. I had to take entire day to clean the unit there was cockroach egg laid inside the drawers of the KITCHEN, where we cook. How unsanitary is that. Eggs outside the drawer growing, so if I had not cleaned there would be more. After 8 plus hours cleaning only kitchen and other rooms, my day ended and was about to head to bed. Another shocker, I say 2 cockroaches crawling around the pillow and bed. How can you not check the unit and even under bed before having someone new move in? Is that how Singapore rule is? Just take peoples money and except to live in such condition? I was extremely angry and just so grossed out, until this day I am still uncomfortable living in such unit. But it was too late to turn back, as I have given the deposit and agent fee. More like I was force by the agent to give the fees…

On top of that, it was fully furnished unit, however the furniture was not at the best condition, first door bells was not working, very inconvenient for visitor. Secondly, washer was not working properly, and the list goes on from dishwasher not working.

With all this, I can say is that my experience in Singapore was the worst compare to anything or any place I been. I been around the world due to work, this is the last place I would return to. Even if someone had paid me millions to come I will NOT come back.

I was wrong to trust my landlord, I been cheated. Many things had occurred in my work environment which led me to resign from work. Along with that I had let my landlord know in 1 month advance that I will be leaving Singapore.

I had taken my personal time to post ads to find prospective replacement for the unit. In the mean time, I had little discussion between landlord and myself regarding the 2 month deposit ($4.6K). Deposit will be refunded if there was prospective tenant. The answers were given in vague, one day “yes” and next day no.

I had told my landlord that $4.6K + the reimbursement of agent fee ($1.8K) and full month rent ($2.3K). This was all the saving I had so it would be nice to consider returning the deposit. Apparently, that was totally deceiving intent in my landlord. Because there were 2 families who wanted to rent the unit for more then the desire lease period but my landlord declined them. Why did I take my personal time and energy helping to find replacement when they landlord was not going to return my deposit.
I felt bad for breaking the lease in advance, wanted to diligence and cooperate to find good prospective tenant so that I can return my deposit. I have not missed a day or delayed a day with my rent during my stay here. Though I think the rent was too high, when I spoke with many locals in Singapore.

This was definitely intention of taking advantage of foreigners here. How I knew it was the wrong intention, because on a last day when I had to pay my last month rent, I was working in the office without time to take lunch, but around 2pm, I received a call from landlord wanting to know why I have not paid my rent. It was not even end of the day, and in the contract clearly states I have 7 days from the rent due to pay the rent.

I felt violated and taken advantage of the whole saving I had, when the landlord had no intention of returning any of the money but was looking into pocket more money. The only thing I can come conclude is that when landlord does not want to take on any prospective tenant, so that they can pocket $4.3K and $1.8K agent fee reimbursement. When I leave the country I believe they will bring someone new to rent the unit. Then they have pocketed additional cash for their own good.

I don’t understand why it is difficult for one to open and come to compromise. I thought American’s were cheaters, but I was totally wrong. There are people like this in Singapore, who speak of the goods, yet they do not put into action. I didn’t realize that there were such people around this country. But for the times I have lived in this country, counting my landlord and real estate agent, I have been taken advantage. By cheating the innocent people will not lead that individual to succeed any further in the future.

With this forum, I wish that no anyone (foreigner) to be taken advantage from these 2 people. I don’t recommend doing any business with this people as they only seek for their personal interest and gain.

I am glad I only have few days in this place of hell; I have no doubt about sharing this type of practice in this country with others. The place I lived for the time I was there never felt comfortable, always felt something was crawling around… Again maybe other cockroaches… I will not be recommending Singapore as a place of visit or live. I asked my family and friends to visit me when I was here, but obviously with that money and time we would go to somewhere lot more friendly and honest. I am blown away with lack of support for foreigner in such cases like this. And how people can be so blind sited by such practice that is going on…