Tenant’s landlord excessively burns incense and takes renter’s food & toiletries without permission

SINGAPORE: A tenant who says he’s facing a “unique and challenging situation” with his landlord sought advice online. He would like to just move out but fears that this would break his tenancy agreement and adds that he can’t afford to lose his deposit.

A man who goes by Kabesang Tales on Facebook described his difficulties in the place he rents through a post on the COMPLAINT SINGAPORE Facebook page on Sunday (Nov 5). He wrote that the “concerning issues” he deals with regularly affect his daily life.

“My landlord’s excessive incense use, particularly during late-night rituals, leads to smoke seeping into my room and causing me to feel dizzy upon waking. These rituals involve some truly unconventional behavior (as they claim they are mediums), like one person getting ‘possessed’ and speaking like a baby, accompanied by the tossing something like wooden object onto the floor, sometimes as late as 2 AM.”

Because his landlord burns incense even when his clothes are drying, the smell has now clung to his clothes, which he finds “incredibly disrespectful and insensitive.”

The renter added that the landlord also helps himself to the renter’s canned food or other items in the refrigerator without asking for permission, as well as the toiletries he stores in the bathroom. As a result, he now keeps all his possessions inside his room.

He added that the landlord keeps his dirty clothes in the washing machine, which he uses as a hamper. When the renter needs to use it, he must still ask the landlord to take them out first.

“I asked if I can just move out because I’m really uncomfortable with this situation, but they claim it would forfeit my deposit.

I feel like this should not be the treatment a paying tenant should have to endure. I’d love to hear from anyone who has dealt with challenging landlord situations, is familiar with tenant rights in Singapore, or has any insights to offer. How did you handle similar issues? What advice can you provide? Have you experienced anything along these lines?” the tenant asked.

Read also: Woman claims landlord broke into her room, stalked her, even accused her of stealing things

Some commenters advised the renter to contact the agent who had helped him to procure the room, but the renter replied, “Landlord had issue with the agent and did not get any cut when I moved in. Agent will not be helping.”

Others encouraged him to just move out even if it meant forfeiting the deposit, saying his mental health was worth preserving and that the stress he faced daily wasn’t worth it.

In reply to one commenter, the renter said that he can give a notice that he is moving out after five months, and he is now on his fourth month of staying at the place. Netizens then encouraged him to stick it out till then but to look for a new place as soon as possible. The Independent Singapore has reached out to the renter for further comment or update. /TISG

Read also: Man who rented a room wants to leave after 2 weeks because of curry smell