PETALING JAYA: Motorcycle parts scattered across the floor of a house he slogged to buy were the last thing Mohd Shafawi expected to see when he walked into his property in Seremban.
The company manager, who works in Kuala Lumpur, had rented out the house to a group of bachelors.
At first, they seemed like ideal tenants as they paid their rent on time.
However, complaints from neighbours about constant noises and unusual activity began to surface about a year later.
“I decided to check on the house quietly and was shocked by what I saw.
“There were motorcycle spare parts strewn all over the place. I suspected some illegal activities were taking place in the premises,” he said.
Mohd Shafawi, who is in his 40s, then confronted and berated the tenants.
“I returned the next morning to find that they had left in a hurry, with some of their belongings left behind. I never saw them again,” he said.
Mohd Shafawi ended up spending thousands of ringgit repairing the house, particularly the flooring which had been badly damaged.
Another houseowner is grappling with a different kind of worry – one built on suspicion, not proof. The resident of Bandar Mahkota Cheras, who wanted to be known only as Desmond, said red flags appeared soon after a group moved in next door.
“They come and go at odd hours in luxury cars such as BMW and Toyota Alphard. It does not add up. If they can afford these cars, why rent a terrace house?” he said.
Desmond said their behaviour raised suspicions but without substantiated proof, he feels helpless.
