KUALA LUMPUR: Property owners will have to be much more careful about who they rent to, following the announcement last week that the police will hold landlords responsible for crimes committed on their premises.
To help, the police have identified several red flags which owners should look out for when putting their premises up for rent.
“Be wary of those who pay large sums for advance payments and deposits,” Comm Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf told The Star.
“Criminals, especially scammers, have paid up to six, or even 10 months’ rent in advance for condominium units. In some cases, there are scammers who purchase properties in cash.”
The Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director said landlords, joint management bodies (JMB) of high rises, and security companies should also watch out for large groups of people staying in one property.
“If a condominium unit has 20 to 30 people staying there and they are rarely seen, that is deemed suspicious,” he said.
“Frequent changes in occupants will also occur, as well as ordering food from ehailing services and having lookouts posted in the lobby in case the authorities raid the premises.
“These are the telltale signs of premises being used by criminals, especially scam syndicates.”
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He added that landlords, JMBs, and security companies can no longer claim ignorance if criminal activities occur on their properties or, in the case of security companies, on premises they have been hired to guard.
“We are really serious about focusing on holding such parties liable if criminal activities, especially scam call centres, occur on their properties.
“As I mentioned previously, we will take action against them under Section 120B of the Penal Code for criminal conspiracy. No longer are actions solely focused on syndicate members,” he said.
In this context, Comm Ramli said the CCID is also proposing amendments for Section 108 of the Penal Code for abetment (aiding an offender committing a crime).
“While we can still take action under existing laws, the proposed amendments will give the police more jurisdictive power to further investigate owners of premises in connection with illegal activities occurring on their properties.
“We will also propose heavier penalties, including forfeiture of properties. We expect to submit the proposals to the Home Minister soon,” he said.
Following major crackdowns in Myanmar and Cambodia, scam syndicates are beginning to shift their call centres to other countries, including Malaysia.
This is why holding property owners, as well as security companies and JMBs, liable is vital, Comm Ramli said.
“Using the relevant laws will be a form of deterrent, making the three parties accountable, and in turn, reducing the number of scam call centres in the country,” he said.
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Universiti Sains Malaysia criminologist Datuk Dr P. Sundramoorthy said landlords have various methods to evaluate whether potential tenants might pose a risk during the tenancy period.
“Landlords can implement evaluation thorough screening procedures, such as conducting background checks and verifying employment and rental history,” he added.
Sundramoorthy said landlords can also check references from previous landlords.
They should also assess the tenant’s financial stability and observe their behaviour and interactions, he said.
In addition, being vigilant about local crime patterns and staying informed through community reports can help landlords identify potential risks too.
The senior criminologist said homeowners and landlords can take proactive measures such as installing security cameras, good lighting and secure entry systems.
“They can also foster a sense of community among tenants by encouraging communication and reporting suspicious activity,” he said.
Malaysians Against Rape, Assault and Snatch Theft (Marah) founder Dave Avran concurred with Sundramoorthy, saying that landlords have a duty to conduct proper background checks and ensure their properties aren’t being used for illegal purposes.
“Too often, scammers set up operations in rented homes or office spaces with little to no oversight.
“If landlords faced penalties, they would be more cautious about whom they rent to, thus reducing the likelihood of such incidents,” he said.
In some cases, property owners knowingly turn a blind eye, he added.
“Critics point to landlords who ignore red flags like tenants paying in cash, frequently changing occupants, or restricting access to parts of the property,” he said.
