A prospective tenant had his deposit and rental forfeited after he backed out of renting a room.
Last Sept 18, T. Ravi paid a deposit to rent a room at a condominium in Taman Bayu Puteri, Permas Jaya, Johor Baru.
He transferred RM500 online to an agent and was supposed to rent the room for a year, starting from Oct 1.
The room’s monthly rental was RM800 and on Sept 26, Ravi paid RM1,400, bringing the total sum banked in to RM1,900, inclusive of the deposit.
“The RM1,900 was inclusive of two months’ rental, utility deposit and an access key card to the condominium block,” said Ravi, 43, who works as a badminton head coach in Woodlands, located in north of Singapore.
On Sept 27, the claimant was told by his employer that he would be transferred to Clementi located in the western region of Singapore.
Due to the transfer, Ravi realised that he needed to find accommodation in Taman Bukit Indah, nearer to the Second Link Crossing in Tanjung Kupang, Gelang Patah.
“I informed the agent on Sept 27 that she could forfeit the RM500 deposit, but I requested the refund of the RM1,400 since I wouldn’t be able to move in,” he said.
However, the claimant said that the agent refused to entertain his request and insisted on forfeiting the whole sum.
Tribunal president Hafez Zalkapli ordered the respondent to refund RM1,400 to the claimant within two weeks.
Those needing Tribunal assistance can call 07-227 1755 or 07-227 1766 or visit the Tribunal at Level 17, Menara Ansar, Jalan Trus, Johor Baru.
