This is regarding the booking fee rental
I had put down booking fee for a unit but during handover discover several defect in the unit and found out that the owner was a convict or criminal so i back down from the deal causing my booking fee to be forfeited. This decision was make due to worry of safety issue and fail of hand over. I would like to ask is it legal or can go to court for this

Pls advise

Forget about going to court as it is going to cost you more than your deposits. Even if U can win the case, it won't be easy to get payment from him. Then U need to sue him again to pay up.

The entire process can take few years and by then U will be tired and no more money to sue.

Always be very careful b4 u make a payment. Once is out of your hand, it is good as gone.

This post has been edited by mini orchard: Sep 8 2025, 08:10 PM

can i go for small claim court?

bump

To sue him because U breached the TA for reason he is a past convict ?

Of course U can go to small claim court.

Winning there isn't a victory because if he don't pay, then U have to sue him again to force him to pay.

A little savings on legal fee but a long and tired legal journey.

This post has been edited by mini orchard: Sep 9 2025, 06:49 AM

He hidding his info and house was not ready to handover
The house a lot of problem so thats why the TA broke
This is what i see

If U see it that way, with the evidences, then proceed with your small claims court.

How I see it ...

The defects should be notified in writing with attached photos to the landlord giving him reasonable time to make good the defects and cc a copy to the estate agency office ... Have U done this ?

And I don't think U can terminate the SnP with a developer for reasons of defects which can be rectified, albeit not to your satisfaction.

Unless the defects are life threatening or safety issues, normal wear and tear where it can be make good is not a good reason to abort the TA or SnP.

I am not sure what was discussed during the viewing stage with regards to the property conditions and whether it was to let as it basis ?

And landlord may not be aware of certain problems unless he is staying there previously or was not notified during the viewing stage. If yes, then U can insist the defects be rectified and request for a 2nd viewing b4 signing the TA.

Maybe, tis is your first time renting and is not aware of the things to look out and do before signing the TA. We learned from mistakes and will be smarter the next time.

As for his background, there is no requirements by law to state his personal background unless U insist on it prior to signing the TA. If U so insist, the landlord can ask U to go fly kite as the landlord is not gonna live with you.

Remember that U are gonna to stay in his 500k property or whatever value by just paying tokens. He is more worried U will damage the property during the stay and the rental collection cannot cover for the repair.

Similarly, U can ask the landlord to fly kites if he request for your salary slip to confirmed U can afford the monthly rental !

So what is your action if during the tenancy, your 'clean' landlord is convicted of a crime or assault, do U proceed to shift out and terminate the TA ?

With the explanation, U have a good case ?

In order to win a case, the plaintiff must show the judge he acted within reasonable parameter before terminating the contract.

This post has been edited by mini orchard: Sep 9 2025, 10:12 PM

how you manage to find out he was a convict ?
but then there is just a history


but if tenant was a convict, then is different story.

on the news
yeah if tenant was a convict different story so i just wonder didnt this goes same way as tenant also scare of safety issue

convict cannot be home owner meh..

i have served convict clients and they are the best. meet them sign document also give me angpow 1k.