A Shocking Experience for Homeowners

In a jaw-dropping tale of rental chaos, a homeowner, known as Stomper S, has recounted his horrifying experience with a tenant who left his condo unit in an utterly dilapidated state. After the tenant and his girlfriend vacated the Serangoon Road apartment on November 10, the homeowner was left shocked by the mess, leading him to refuse the return of a $4,300 security deposit.

The Background of the Situation

The ordeal began when the tenant, a student from China, moved in on July 23, 2023. The situation quickly escalated when the couple split three months into the rental agreement. Following the breakup, the tenant attempted to negotiate a divided rent arrangement, claiming he would only pay half and that the homeowner should chase his ex-girlfriend for the rest. After considerable back-and-forth, the tenant agreed to pay the full rent but insisted on finding a new tenant to take over when his girlfriend left.

The State of the Apartment

However, despite a hired helper regularly checking on the apartment, the unit remained in shocking disarray when it was finally handed back to the landlord. The horror was evident in the details shared by Stomper S: a broken dinner table, a study table in shambles, and a toilet that was left in an unsanitary condition, reeking of neglect. Cigarette butts littered the floor, and a disturbing array of half-eaten food items—including chili oil and garlic—littered the space.

Security and Costs

Adding to the frustrations, the digital lock system, which was supposed to secure the unit, was still linked to the tenant's app, rendering it useless for the owner. Unsettled by the extensive cleaning required and the cost of disposals— which amounted to $80 for bulky items alone—the homeowner decided to keep the full deposit.

Communication Breakdown

"I meticulously listed the broken items and damages, which clearly exceeded the deposit amount," shared Stomper S. Subsequently, he sent a note to the tenant explaining why the deposit would not be refunded. However, this prompted the tenant's furious retaliation, flooding Stomper with vulgarities in Chinese through WeChat.

A Cautionary Tale for Landlords

"This has been an overall dreadful experience, and I wanted to share it so others can be aware of what can happen in rental situations," lamented the disheartened homeowner. Echoing in the minds of many landlords, this story serves as a stark reminder of the potential challenges that can arise in tenant-landlord relationships. Could there be a solution to prevent such troubling scenarios in the future, or is rental damage just a risk one must take? Share your thoughts!