Epic rant from tenant on YouTube - Would you rent this flat?

[quirksome]

So hubby and I were doing our research on flats and found this epic rant on YouTube about a building we're thinking of renting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQiQCY-zzTc

He alleges the landlord was negligent in first not fixing a roof breach and flood for several months, secondly in employing dubious contractors who even the police told to stop working, and thirdly in handling the compensation to the tenant.

But the flat's in great condition, 10mins walk from hubby's office, 1000 sq ft gross and what seems to be a reasonable price ($32k).

So, given the evidence, would you rent this flat or run a mile?

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"So my landlord tells me that although his contractors have smashed my roof so that water pours in when it rains all over my new washing machine and fridge and making the outside space unusable and dangerous that they wont be repairing it until all the work on the eight storey building is complete. I offered to get the work fixed and would deduct the expense from the next months rent but they wrote to me ( six weeks later) saying if I did so that it would be done at my cost! ]

The joys of Hong kong life as a Fan Hing Tenant, Landlords know that if a tenant tries to break a contract (even though you could reasonably argue that their actions have already nullified the agreement) that they will keep your two month bond/deposit with impunity. So I have decided to post my videos of their actions knowing the Chinese culture is all about 'Face' - I will be contacting all the directors of the company that owns this property in the near future directly, as they seem to want to hide behind the companies anoninimity and just take the not inconsiderable monthly rental. Their addresses are available from Companies House in Hong Kong Park just down the road.

So who is this faceless organisation that refuses all attempts at negotiating a reasonable settlement ? - well they are the Church downstairs! - and they even go to the extent in their contracts of stating a tenant cannot complain of their noise they make singing their hymns! - yes i do know what hypocracy sounds like.

The roof was broken early August and fixed mid December - and not so much as an apology from my landlords, the contractors Man Sing, or the owners association for the whole building. They did however begrudgingly offer me 8,000 HKD as a 'goodwill gesture' i was told to note this was in no way a compensation payment, but having spent 125,000 on rent, the washing machine blew up costing $5,000 and having to pay cleaners and having $12,000 dollars worth of hotel bills for relatives accomadation because the work became so dangerous and unbearable, it really didnt feel like it was an adequate amount that reflected the nuisance that i had suffered -

Anyway as soon as the builders finished I still couldnt get any replies from anyone connected with the property so it may have only been a stalling tactic. strange way to run a business but with the new tenancy laws its happens all too often here in Hong Kong. Im tempted to contact the South China Morning Post the local daily paper - but you read it here first!"

[dumbdonkey]

Why bother?

[MovingIn07]

Most people rent flats with zero information and often have problems. You already know a past tenant had a problem and you are still considering it? glutton for punishment I think.

[virago]

Run......

Sent from somewhere....

[Watercooler]

As they say, buyer beware...or in this case, tenant beware...

[hktraveller]

OP, if you don't answer this question with a clear no yourself, any advice is most likely to be useless.

[quirksome]

Thanks chaps and chappesses. My initial gut feeling was "no" but thanks for confirming! Hubby really liked the layout and location but thinking a landlord who would cut corners (potentially illegally) would not be a responsible or helpful landlord if future problems came up!

[virago]

Sometimes when you get attached to something that you know is not quite right you go out and find reasons to validate it. Hence, why you are here trying to get that validation that all will be OK.

Have you tried contacting the tenant and also bring it up with the landlord/real estate agent? If so what was their reaction?

[quirksome]

Hi Virago... yeah it did seem too good to be true! I posted a comment on the Youtube video but who knows if he'll ever check it again, it was 5 months' ago.

Estate agent was "shocked" but told me the building works had finished, top floor flats "always leak" and suggested the guy had a vendetta against the landlord. Just don't know who to believe...

Sometimes when you get attached to something that you know is not quite right you go out and find reasons to validate it. Hence, why you are here trying to get that validation that all will be OK.

Have you tried contacting the tenant and also bring it up with the landlord/real estate agent? If so what was their reaction?

[virago]

Hi Virago... yeah it did seem too good to be true! I posted a comment on the Youtube video but who knows if he'll ever check it again, it was 5 months' ago.

Estate agent was "shocked" but told me the building works had finished, top floor flats "always leak" and suggested the guy had a vendetta against the landlord. Just don't know who to believe...

Yeah, the estate agent most likely doesn't care with that response.

Good luck though.

Sent from somewhere....