House Rental Scam - Property Agent Scam

Dear Friends,

I just want to make aware all the people who are searching for Rented houses.

There are people in group who will put an Ad. on gumtree or other website for Rented house 2+1 or 3+1. they will ask the Rent lesser then the market price like (1400 - 1700 for 2+1) and (1700 to 1900) for 3+1.
Once people see this less price Ad and call the number which they mention in the Ad. One Lady mostly will pick the phone (some time could be guy also). Lady is of age around 30 -35 blend cut may be chinese. (Name - Melza)

She will arrange the meeting with u and show u the house and will say will paint the house and do all cleaning and other work etc.
She will say they are the Management company(TDAP) and NOT the agent. So we will take care of the house for whole tenure for any demage etc.

Once you are impressed with her talks and less rental. She will ask 2 months deposite, 1 month rent and 1 month management fees. And will ask to deposite money in her comapny account.

She will give u aggreement papar and deposit slip evrything very nicely and will agree for your move in date.
But as your move in date will come near she will say house is not available. And says I will show u another house or move u in another house for time being.

she will keep u showing many houses but will never give u those houses. And you will be stuck because youe move in date is near and u can not find new house also. If u ask ur money she will not agree for refund and if she agrees to refund she will give you a Cheque which will get bounced latar on when u deposite in your bank account. As they will issue you closed account cheque.

Many people they have targeted mostly Indain families who can not run behind them to get money back, they r taking advantage. Also they do not pay the owners and agents from whom they take houses.

Many people are their victim (I am also one of their victim). So I do not want any other people to suffer like me and others who are suffering mental and physical tortour. I compalined to police also but do not know when action will be taken care.

So plssssssssss my friends do not get traped to get Rented house on seeing cheaper Rent. And from any company says they r management company. they are 3-4 people made a gang and doing scam and fraud to innocent people. They do have company office also. do not get impressed seeing their office.

Note : they will give you all the documents very neatly (like agreement, deposit slip and money transfred slip etc.) but, at last these documents will not be helpful. Once money gone its gone.

So, pls get house only through register agents under (CEA) and ask there ID cards. and do meet owner before taking any house.

pls take all the precautions before giving your hard earned money.

Thanks for your attention. And voice out for any fraud or cheating you come accross to safe others.

A reader has posted the above rental scam on our website.

We would advise everyone to check with CEA when in doubt of the property agent.

Housing, Property, Real Estate Agent Scams - "No Commission" Scam

Recently, an irresponsible advertisement posted online by a real estate agent (also known as property agent or housing agent) has caused a stir within among agents in the industry. This is because all the housing agents have felt the danger of their "ricebowl" being destroyed by the black sheep in the market.

Why Pay COMMISSION???
Buyers DO NOT need to pay COMMISSION!!!!!

This very unethical and irresponsible advertisement is misleading property buyers because they have to pay agent fee if they were to engage any real estate agent. A real estate agent's main job for the buyers is to educate them on their affordability, source for desired houses within budget, negotiate with the sellers or their agents, settle the documentations and give appropriate guidelines as when needed. All these require time and effort.

The superior of this real estate agent has been notified and has instructed the agent to take down the advertisement.

In the market practice, sellers of HDB flats would have to pay housing agents 2% of the selling price as commission; buyers would have to pay 1% to their housing agents.

A few years back before CEA was established, unethical housing agents used to use this tactic to lure direct buyers to contact them. If the buyers were interested in the houses, the agents would make the buyers accept them as their housing agents in order to earn another 1% of commission from the buyers. Buyers would have to pay the unethical agents since they did not know the exact procedure. Even if the buyers were not interested in the houses, the unethical housing agents would sweet-talk the buyers to entrust them as their housing agents to find other flats.

When a housing agent was representing both buyer and seller of the flat, the housing agent could get 3% of commission in total from both sides. However, it became complicated due to conflicts since the housing agent of the seller was supposed to push the selling price up while the housing agent representing the buyer had to push the selling price down.

Hence, a new law is imposed such that an agent is not allowed to represent both the buyer and seller in a transaction.

However, some property agents would continue to use such tactic to attract buyers without an agent representing them. The unethical agents could easily get their friends or team-mates to represent the buyers as to earn the extra 1% of commission even if they needed to split the amount.

It is best that you can find a real estate agent who can represent you and act in the best of your interest. We do know of some trustworthy agents born in Singapore. If you are in need of advice or help regarding buying, selling or renting of any residential or commercial property, we would be glad to share their contacts with you voluntarily - we will not even claim any cent from the agents.

Bogus Property Agent Taken By Laws

Recently, a 45-year-old man, Tan Cher Peng, has been sentenced to four months' jail and fined S$32,000 for representing himself as a property agent without being registered with the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA). He is the first person to be sentenced under such laws.

All property (real estate) agents have to be registered in Singapore. This is to ensure that all property agents are being monitored and are subjected to terms and conditions to protect consumers in the market. All property agents have to pass certain test(s) and not have criminal records in order to obtain the license from CEA, which also lift up the standard of the agents in Singapore, not allowing any Tom, Dick or Harry to handle customers without proper knowledge.

Currently, all property agents have to wear a lanyard with his identification card provided by his company at all time while at work. The card will also indicate his CEA registered number.

If you find anything amiss with the property agent, you can always call CEA to check on him. CEA will also help to investigate if the agent displays dishonesty.