LandLord of Orchard apartment above the Law

[saratogas]

Like that also can... Just like some landlord cutting power to Borders bookstore when they didn't pay the rent!

SINGAPORE - Tenants in an Orchard Road apartment found themselves locked in*on the morning of Sept 26,*when they tried to leave for work.

A bicycle lock*had been secured around the*gate, leaving them trapped at home.

According to a reader, Ong,*who wrote in to citizen journalism site, Stomp, the situation arose from a dispute between the tenants*and landlord.

The*tenants had refused to pay rent as the landlord did not want to repair the defects that were found in the house.

The dispute has been ongoing for two months and the tenants owed two months' in*rent. Ong's friend is one of the tenants.

According to Ong, the landlord had gone to the apartment on Sunday night at around 11pm and rang the doorbell.

But the tenants did not open the door for him as he seemed angry.

"The next morning,*around 8am, they found their gate locked with a bicycle chain and a large padlock," said Ong.

The tenants called the police and the landlord eventually admitted that he did it. They were freed at about 11am the same morning.

"Can a landlord lock a tenant in the house? What rights do the tenants have in such a situation?" asked Ong.

 

[red amoeba]

let me guess...landlord is FT?

and this FT sublet his apartment to scores of other FTs?

So its FT vs FT?

Why shld we bother in this case?

 

[streetsmart73]

hi there


1. i believe this is what is termed as "illegal confinement".
2. if the landlord is some ft renting out to other fts.
3. the former will get off scotch-free.

 

[Leongsam]

3. the former will get off scotch-free.

It's "Scot Free".

Origins.

 

[Nik1971]

It's "Scot Free".

Origins.

no, its Scot Fleece

 

[streetsmart73]

It's "Scot Free".

Origins.

hi there


1. sam, thank you for the alert.
2. never fail to check on error.

 

[denzuko1]

I think the tenant can sue the landlord for force imprisonment. It could even be a criminal case.

 

[Ramseth]

I think the tenant can sue the landlord for force imprisonment. It could even be a criminal case.

Chaining a door is usually considered as mischief, not confinement. The resident can always call for help, e.g. locksmith, friends, neighbors etc. Confinement has to be guarded confinement that exceeds a day for the case to stand.

 

[Rogue Trader]

Chaining a door is usually considered as mischief, not confinement.

Mischief? Stop spewing your propaganda filth!

 

[cathylmg]

Actually what is the correct procedure for legally chasing out a tenant in Singapore?

 

[red amoeba]

Actually what is the correct procedure for legally chasing out a tenant in Singapore?

have a good rental contract - and in it, be clear regarding when can evict, and how much leadtime to give...

 

[Ramseth]

Actually what is the correct procedure for legally chasing out a tenant in Singapore?

Get an eviction order.

 

[GoldenDragon]

Chaining a door is usually considered as mischief, not confinement. The resident can always call for help, e.g. locksmith, friends, neighbors etc. Confinement has to be guarded confinement that exceeds a day for the case to stand.

Looks like a case of mischief here. But had something happened to the tenants, it could well escalate to wrongful confinement.

Intent of culprit and whatever 'injury' and 'loss' suffered by victim are just 2 factors deciding which charge to proceed on. Not necessary to be guarded confinement and need not exceed a day for case to stand. If an unintended fire caused the death of those in the unit, surely mischief would not be appropriate.

 

[NoNewsGood]

Actually what is the correct procedure for legally chasing out a tenant in Singapore?

The landlord should have waited for the tenant to leave the place then lock it up. By then, if the tenant calls the police, the police will not help the tenant and will advise the tenant to "find his own lawyer" because this is a "civil case".

 

[Cestbon]

Chaining a door is usually considered as mischief, not confinement. The resident can always call for help, e.g. locksmith, friends, neighbors etc. Confinement has to be guarded confinement that exceeds a day for the case to stand.

What will happen in case there is fire. The people inside the apartment will be burn alive.

 

[HedgeTrader]

What about gangster movie scenes like e.g. 你今天不交代清楚，你就走不出这个门口。Illegal confinement?