I recently place a booking fee for renting an apartment unit. Among the conditions I added is for the landlord to install blackout curtains. Other conditions (placed in the draft tenancy agreement) is for the place to be cleaned (it looked kinda dirty) and air-con serviced.

But when I met the agent to sign the tenancy agreement, I found that the blackout curtain was not there and the place was not cleaned and air-con not serviced. The agents gave all sorts of excuses, saying the landlord will do all those things once I've signed and moved in, but I refused to sign and said I'll only sign once the promises are fulfilled.

Problem is, the booking form says the tenancy agreement must be signed within 7 days. Can the agent forfeit my booking fee if I refuse to sign? What actions can I take to recover the fee?

* the agent keeps insisting on cash instead of cheque or wire transfer.
** I've never met or talked to landlord (agent wants to keep her contact secret until after I signed and paid)

You should stop dealing with the negotiator and instead contact the negotiator's office and speak to the principal (boss).

Before doing so, check whether the agency and the negotiator are legally registered with LPPEH in their website. Every agency and negotiator has a registration number if they are registered with LPPEH. You can find the numbers in the name card. If you cant find it, chances are high you are dealing with a illegal agency and negotiator. LPPEH dont regulate illegals. It will become a police case if your deal turns bad.

NEVER pay cash directly to a negotiator ... whether legal or otherwise.

This post has been edited by mini orchard: Oct 14 2017, 06:55 AM

go to www.lppeh.gov.my get them to advice you.