No houses on rent for Indians in Singapore

[pianist]

saw this 'unusual' news from yahoo..sensitive topic be careful

Singapore, May 2 (IANS) Many online home rental websites in Singapore include the words "No Indians, no People's Republic of China (PRC)", which is sometimes followed by the word "sorry", leading to increasing rental discrimination in the city.

The issue appears more common with less expensive properties and on sites where content is posted directly by users, the Online Citizen reported.

The president of the Universal Society of Hinduism (USH), Rajan Zed, has called on Singapore's President Tony Tan and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to put an end to the discrimination, which is becoming a rising menace.
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/no-houses-rent...09878.html


The emergence of anti-foreigner sentiments in Singapore has become a major cause of concern, with the government constantly urging the Singaporeans to welcome expatriates and to help them integrate into the city-state's multi-cultural society.

One Indian expatriate said his agent told him that many landlords would refuse to rent flats to him because "Indians always cook smelly curries", BBC reported.

Charlene, an estate agent, said it was common for landlords not to rent houses to tenants from India or China because such tenants "are not people who are house proud".

"Many don't clean weekly, and they do heavy cooking, so dust and oil collect over the months. They may use a lot of spices that release smells people don't like," Charlene added.

Singapore is one of the ethnically most diverse nations, consisting mainly of Chinese-origin people along with Malay, Indian and other ethnic groups.

[Contrarian]

> The president of the Universal Society of Hinduism (USH), Rajan Zed, has called on Singapore's President Tony Tan and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to put an
> end to the discrimination, which is becoming a rising menace.

I would call upon Mr Zed to remind their citizens.

1. Take good care of owners apartments
2. Do not damage furniture
3. Do not ask for the sky like a bullock cart wheel

They are free to go anywhere they like. We respect their decisions. :-)

[gzbkel]

I think this has nothing to do with discrimination. The reality is that certain groups of people are known to have a higher possibility of damaging property or doing illegal subletting.
The property owners have the right to decide if they want to assume this risk.

[countonme]

Owners of HDB Hav the right to select who to rent their precious asset out to. It's jus playing safe to prevent their house from being damaged. Its a rather sensitive topics to discuss in depth though.

[pianist]

yes is quite a sensitive topic,some pple may think this is a non-value thread, however just by read the posts by so many people, as a landlord, I derive valuable insights on how to strengthen my next tenancy agreements with my next tenant and properly set the house rules.

[chialc88]

pianist,
you are not alone.
I had been a landlord for 2 ppty since 2000.
lots of challenges and luck definitely play a big part.

Love Compassion


A Life not Reflected is a Life not Worth Living.

[Contrarian]

Bro chialc88,

Can share what are the characteristics landlords who give you the biggest headaches and do not care for your home?

Do you take photo of every corner of your home to request them remake the home to original state?

My bro is agent - he also say certain type of tenants he will not entertain for his clients. And there are also 'chao kuan' tenants who refuse to entertain his request for viewing despite contract stating # of visits per month!!!

[WolfT]

Thats why retail or commercial is more clear cut. orginal state...no furniture no fixtures. Tenants bring in their own and do their own renovation.

[chialc]

Bro Contrarian,
1. biggest headaches and do not care for your home?
[chialc] biggest headaches - don't pay rent
[chialc] don't care for your home - pain when you see your bed/furniture/aircon got cig burn, smell and spoilt. major renovation law.

2. Do you take photo of every corner of your home to request them remake the home to original state?
[chialc] just like security law. it's to prevent the good guy from breaking rules but very limited against hacker.

3. tenants he will not entertain for his clients
[chialc] that's why a good property agent is for. If everything landlord need to do this and that then why hire a property agent?

4. 'chao kuan' tenants who refuse to entertain his request for viewing
[chialc] let the property agent handle law. landlord relax lar.

Love Compassion

[Porkbelly]

Property agents eyes are focused on selling properties as these earn higher commissions.
Handling rental properties are not their focus. Their earnings for rental is very marginal compared to selling properties.

Furthermore, the agency will take a big cut from the property agent's fees for each rental agreement signed and stamped.
Rental properties require lots more work, effort. Selling is easier.

Difficult to find a property agent who is dedicated to the role in both circumstance of selling & renting.
Most are just out to make a quick buck from the 1 year rental contract and .. with co-broking, wah, even lagi not interested. But times are tough now.. so no fish, prawns also can. And this is where standards will drop.

Then again some owners are also asking too much.... both in rents. And also demand lots from agents.
but not willing to pay for plumber, electrician, general contractor, removal of large items.
Their focus is on collecting rent to pay the mortgage... not interested in the type of tennant, condition of property. This is when you get really horrible people living in the property... burn incense paper in lift lobby, throw cigarette butts out of any window, hang underwear on window grills, barbecue in living room ( yes!) stick newspapers to cover glass windows, burn cooker hoods, throw pillows into rubbish chutes and cause choking. Lots more horror stories.

Depends on the tenants' origins... the level of horror goes up.