Hello hello to all the sifus,

I currently have an issue with the Agent (and Landlord) after handing over the keys.

It is an old condo , more than 15 years - so after I move out and handed the keys the landlord message me and told me she wants to fix a tile that has a hole. But two weeks ago, I told her the hole has been there but it just grew bigger due to cleaning.

Fast forward after I hand the keys and she message me about the fixing, I spoke to the agent that rented me this unit.

1. She call me stupid for telling the landlord that perhaps the hole got bigger due to cleaning.

2. She said that because it is the owner that pay her the commission, she said she is on landlords side.

3. She send me a picture before I move in and she told me the hole is already there - so she will talk to the landlord BUT ask me not to tell the landlord she send me the picture that I have the picture from before she rented to me with the hole.
hours later, she change the story and said landlord say the hole got bigger so it won’t cost much for me to pay to fix.

My question is, am I responsible for the existing defect that’s already there? And it seems like the agent is taking 100% the owner side and I feel that I am at the losing end.

Firstly, is the tenant's duty to inform the landlord of any defects in the property during the tenancy that is not cause by his actions, failing which, is tenant's responsibility to make good the defects upon the expiry of the tenancy.

Generally, defects wear and tear is the responsibility of the landlord and any others will be on the tenant to make good.

All notifications should be in writing with attached photos to avoid any disputes later in the event it is not resolve.

The agent is appointed by the landlord and it is his duty to act to his best interest, similar to a lawyer.

However, a responsible agent should look at the overall situation and advise the landlord accordingly. Having said that, the situation is out of agent's control if the landlord ignore his explaination.

BTW, how can you continue to live in the property if the 'hole' gets bigger ? No doubt, is not your property, but if it doesnt cost much to patch up the hole, I dont why you and want to ignore it. An occupant can injure himself accidentally walking over it.

To conclude, the landlord, agent and tenant are all responsible for the problem.

This post has been edited by mini orchard: Jan 1 2022, 06:27 AM

Hello hello.. thanks

Actually the hole is not hazardous at all, it’s a surface defact that is caused by.. I’m not sure who because it’s a relatively old condo and these tiny surface “defects” it’s all over the apartment and perhaps maybe due to friction mopping the surface “hole” (owner calls it a hole) but it’s a surface , it’s .. about 1.5cm length by 0.5cm wide got bigger - well this one in particular. Basically it’s like a surface where something drops on it .. and defaced the first layer of the tile and over time it just spreads on width not depth. (Hope my explanation made sense) , therefore, you can walk over it and will not cause any injury….

Hence, I thought I’m renting as is. Though, I thought if it’s a new place, yeah I would highlight…

It doesnt matter is old or new property. When the landlord hands over the property to the tenant, he is also responsible to maintain the property even though it doesnt belong to him.

In some overseas countries, I understand that the tenant has to make good the property to the condition like how it was delivered to him at the start ... example repainting, washing the curtains, service appliances etc.

Anyway, we learn through mistakes / experience and hope you can solve it with the landlord.

Wow! If I were to hand over the property like how it was handed over to me .. then the landlord won’t get a clean property. She still left her stuff there and I had to clean it. Which I did brought up to the agent but the agent didn’t do anything. Aiya, but I am a cincai person, I clean.

In fact the property is 1000X cleaner now. I was just a bit surprised that the original defect that was there when I agree to rent was pass on to my bill.

Maybe I should go to the MIEA , cause I was told to refer to the association. oh ya, are you a property agent yourself?

In today's society, if you expect other people to be the same as you, high chances you will face disappointment.

If you think you have a cause to lodge a complaint against the agent, there is no stopping you.

This post has been edited by mini orchard: Jan 1 2022, 02:41 PM