Singapore’s Rental Market Woes — A Warning for Tenants

 

There’s a major downturn happening right now in Singapore’s rental market. So many landlords are struggling to rent out their homes — but tenants are paying the price in a different way. Deposits are being unfairly withheld, and many landlords seem to have already spent the money, refusing to give it back.

Singapore looks like a safe, well-regulated country where people are honest and fair. But the harsh reality? There’s legalized theft happening right under the surface. The only cases that seem to make it to court are those involving speaking against the government. Meanwhile, serious incidents like a kid being slashed at school don’t even make the news — you have to find clips on Facebook to learn about them.

Singapore feels less like a country and more like a business — one that prioritizes greed over fairness. Why does the government allow this? The biggest cases in small claims courts are tenants fighting landlords to get their deposits back.

If you’re thinking of moving to Singapore, especially with kids, I urge you to think twice. If your company covers rent and school fees, maybe it’s worth it. If not, seriously consider staying put where you are.

Don’t just take my word for it. Search online — hundreds, even thousands of pages on forums are filled with stories about people struggling to get their deposits back. The common advice? Go to court. The landlords? Many have reportedly spent tenants’ deposits on holidays or personal expenses.

Even worse, landlords often keep keys to their tenants’ flats and can enter whenever they please. They check mailboxes and monitor who visits — like tenants are kids who can’t be trusted to care for their own home. I’ve lived in hundreds of countries, and I’ve never experienced treatment like this anywhere else. Why Singapore?

It’s time for the government to step up. There needs to be a proper escrow system for deposits — money held securely until the tenant moves out. If there’s damage beyond normal wear and tear, yes, landlords should be compensated. But deposits are not a hidden extra rent payment landlords can use to fund their holidays or cover losses when their flats are empty.

If landlords can’t rent out their homes, they need to accept that’s part of the risk of owning property — it’s called common sense.

What has been your experience with landlords in Singapore? Most people I talk to have lost some or all of their deposits.

As for me — I’m still waiting for mine.

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