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Mmmmh…..that was hard work the last 2 days…..and stressful. I found myself a new place in KL three weeks ago – nice balcony with great view and fresh air. Plenty of space for me and friends who might visit me, but then I got a shock when I saw all the clauses that the landlady from Singapore wanted to put into the agreement instead of using a standard agreement.
Welcome to the life of Micro Managing your tenant and welcome to a life for me where I have to sent written notices asking for permission when I put a nail in the wall or put in any of my furniture….do I want that and loads more???? It did not feel like a good idea.
I called the agent and told them my concerns…..and pleaded for the initial standard agreement that the agent sent me which was ok with me……
but the message came back that the landlord wants his agreement……I could feel they maybe must have had problems with other tenants in the past. For me wherever I live, I treat it like my place. If I make a damage, it will get repaired. I will not run off without paying all that is due….this is one of my principles in life….how can I give the landlady that comfort???
I asked the agent that she should check me out on the Internet and that I could give her names and numbers of people to call or ask in Malaysia and Singapore for her to feel more confident…..
I asked her as well to call me directly………and I wrote a long email about why I am a tenant that can be trusted….but talk is cheap….how can you get that across in real live situations……particular in a world, where it sometimes feels like you have to watch your back to not get duped by someone……..and in some parts of the world it looks like this is more “normal” than in other parts…….mmmmhh…..
Finally we talked – it was important for me to understand her and for her to understand me…..she had been left with a problem by a previous tenant from a neighbouring country who ran off with money to pay and a big leakage problem in the unit……that was the reason why she came across so heavy handed……
I gave her some clauses in particular about payment guarantees, interest payment etc…..I am not worried about that….I am happy to pay in advance or on time……
She agreed to take out some of her “micro manage the tenant clauses” and we got a deal……I am looking forward to soon sitting out with some friends on the big balcony with a nice KL city view and enjoying the chit chat…..
The lessons learned:
1) Do not give up to quickly
2) Understand the other party
3) Focus on Trust
How does that sound to you? Maybe chat a bit more soon on my balcony ?
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