Dear all sifus,

I just got my very first investment property. And just like everyone, I was very excited, tidied it up, ready to rent out my property and earn that sweet rental income.

I got this potential tenant messaging me via FB, showing interest to rent my property, came for viewing, signed the tenancy agreement and rented out within 1 week.

Here's the thing, they are a family of six. 1 wife, 1 husband and four kids. Yesterday, when i enter the property with my contractor (because we want to make good of the property's condition), the guard told me there was a very garang quarrel going on in my unit. Police came as well. I found out that it was a domestic abuse case going on in the family. They gaduh until husband was pointing a knife at the wife's neck. This is what i heard from the wife. Currently, the husband is on the loose, wife and children are at hospital. Apparently, this husband (second husband) has history of abusing the wife, and this is the first time the wife reporting on her husband.

Thank god the access card and keys are with the wife. Tenancy agreement is signed under the husband's name and the agreement is with the wife as well. She wants to change the agreement to her name. I have the rental and utilities deposit, but the deposit is transferred to me via the husband's account. I am so damn lost now, please enlighten me fellow sifus, what can i do as a landlord?

This post has been edited by dex3ter: Dec 22 2023, 09:28 AM

If I were you, I'd evict them and have nothing else to do with them.
What if the husband comes back and domestic abuse becomes murder?

what I have learned over the years, always dont rent to family, they will have all sort of excuse to delay rental or not paying it. and you being a nice guy, heart will soften, then end up you bear the loses while they stay free in your house :X

last time I got a flat, rent Rm300 for a husband and wife couple, initially was good, after a few months, payment delay, then out of sudden say wana move out.

and when I went there when they move out, saw the husband with new car, house use unifi, that time RM150 for 5Mbps, rear a cat somemore, and the husband is smoker, RM300 cannot pay but living a good life with new car, a cat, brand new unifi, kuat rokok.

This post has been edited by anakkk: Dec 22 2023, 10:01 AM

this may not be the best advice
1) in the tenancy agreement, did you include a cause of
Explicitly ban the conduct of vices and illegal activities like gambling and drugs, as well as not to do anything that will jeopardise the property’s insurance coverage.

domestic abuse is confirm forbidden by law, do get the police report letter as backup. anything happen, try to void the agreement.


2) the tenancy agreement is signed under husband, you cant transfer the agreement to the wife without the husband consent.
i suggest, if they wife continue pay the rental, keep it in this way, dont do anything.
then

-if husband ask to cancel the agreement, u can forfeit/return the 2 month deposit to him. then u sign new agreement with the wife and get new deposit.
and yes u got the right to forfeit, but but he is a criminal, dont risk it.

-if wife cant afford to pay the rental, u give them 2 month notice /use deposit to offset everything, ask them to leave ur house. find new tenant

1st thing first. Find a way to get a copy of the police report from the wife.

Crack your coconut a bit, do it diligently. It gotta be as in now before the husband is back cuddling each other again.

Yup I did have a clause writing "Not to do or permit to be done on the Said Premises anything which may or will infringe any of the laws, by-laws or regulation made by the Government or any competent authority affecting the Said Premises or whereby the policy or policies of insurance against loss or damage by fire may become void or voidable or whereby the rates of premium payable thereon may be increased to repay the Landlord all sums paid by way of increased premium."

I'm also worry about my safety as well even though I have the right to forfeit the deposit. What if he came after me or anything.

Thanks a lot for the advice, really appreaciate it!

This post has been edited by dex3ter: Dec 22 2023, 10:52 AM

Just rugi a bit, give them back all the deposit and invite them away.
The so call husband big chances will come up to the unit and request for things from the wife. Anything they 2 cant settle, then will involve u, u lagi headache.
Get back ur nice & still new unit before it become a haunted unit (not necesary some one die inside, even if whatsoever unhappy things happen, ppl will consider it as so)

Your 1 and only investment. You are not a charity home. How would a corporate act? Terminate and reimburse all. Find new tenant then risk prolong dispute or potential murder court case. Later if people know, no one would rent your place.

Also, why risk yourself dealing with such violent tenant? Your life so cheap? For me, if I not happy with tenant straight I terminate, find new tenant. Your happiness and peace of mind is crucial.

if can peaceful ask them to leave

they would not be a good tenant.

single mother to raise 4 children is not easy.

unless u have the intention to help them

This Sounds like races bling bling bling

This post has been edited by MalaysiaCEO: Dec 24 2023, 02:04 PM

Sorry don;t want to be mean to the family but foresee that more problems will arise..
Better ask them to find a new home and return their deposits

Just evict and return the deposits. Otherwise, it might turn ugly later. Cops cannot protect the family from the crazy husband.

Better to severe ties than to have blood later.

Always vet yr tenants and best to get them through reputable agents who u know. I have 3 medium cost apts and i rent them to newly Malay couples with good jobs. No issue for the past 4 years and payments on the dot.