Two Chinese nationals, who had just rented a room for $1,000 a month in Singapore, were evicted by their landlord within minutes of signing the lease. The trouble started when one of the men asked why the landlord’s phone number contained so many 3s. This seemingly innocent question angered the landlord, who retaliated with insults and even raised his hand as if to strike the tenant. Yuan, one of the tenants, stepped in to defuse the situation, but the confrontation escalated.
Despite transferring a total of $1,500, which included the first month’s rent and a deposit, the men were chased out of the property, with only the $1,000 refunded, leaving the initial $500 deposit unpaid. The pair reported the incident to the police, emphasizing that the landlord’s behavior was unprofessional and aggressive, differing greatly from their initial experience when they viewed the property.
Additionally, the tenants pointed out that the rental agreement imposed strict and unusual rules, including expectations of extreme cleanliness and behavior, with harsh penalties for non-compliance. When they confronted the landlord about these terms, they were threatened with eviction at any moment. Police records confirm that the dispute was reported on March 16, and both parties were advised on their legal rights.