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The house for rent in the "housing section" is the one I have recently been negotiating on.
I would warn people about the contract, as the landlady is another one would not accept VND at the bank rate, only at the black market rate and then back tracked to say USD only. She also specified that any guest to the house would have to be registered to the police as it it the law in Vietnam (we agreed as it is the law and we understand about this) but when we asked why she wouldn't accept payment in VND as that is also the law she refused to answer.
http://newhanoian.xemzi.com/propertylisting/show/297
We also asked for the contact details for the last tenants and this was the reply "Sorry the previous tenant is not a honest person I do not want you to contact with him. Please consider thoroughly before signing the contract. Regards," - naturally I would strongly advise anyone to check with a past tenant before handing over $1000 USD deposit (as required here), because the norm in Hanoi is that you will never see your deposit back.. and if I can't confirm with the last tenant about this I am very hesitant to do that.
I am not trying to persuade anyone from not taking the house, but I am only giving a heads up on what I have already gone through. I have kept all the emails regarding this negotiation and I will forward to someone if they want to verify.
Even though I wanted to take the house, I was strongly advised by a staff member at my work not to take contract as it was not a legal contract and there were many clauses that would put the renter at a disadvantage, meaning if you broken of the stipulations (example one un-registered guest) then you could lose your deposit and incur a penalty.
Please pm me if you have any questions.
warning (add tags) Why? Details of tags
answered about 5 months ago by jimbo
"because the norm in Hanoi is that you will never see your deposit back." That's NOT the norm. Don't spread false information. I rented an apartment for a year and had monthly angry conflicts with the owner, and fully expected her to keep every cent of my deposit, especially because there was obvious wear-and-tear on the place, and it needed a cleaning. She gave me the full deposit back. My current landlord is renting to me a beautiful fully-furnished house including TV/DVD/washer with NO DEPOSIT. Don't publicize your unhappy experience as the 'norm.'
answered about 5 months ago by Steve
I'm with Jimbo on this one... a quick survey amongst 15 expats in my office and not one of them have been done in with a deposit. I have been here 3 years and have moved around the city a few times and also had no issues. Just make sure you get some form of proof (wriiten and signed) that you have paid the deposit.
answered about 5 months ago by Stosskraft
Ok I guess I should change my warning a little. I have been around also for a while and I have heard quite a few horror stories also, including both my bosses at work and quite a few expats over the years have had similar stories. I am happy to know you and other have not had problems, but if you have been around Hanoi for a while you do know the value of taking care of yourself. Maybe I wasn't clear, but my main point is people should be careful of contracts that contain alot of clauses that allow the tenant an excuse to keep your deposit, as has happen to a few a people I know and we really have no way to fight back. My main point seems to be lost, as I personally know the landlord is trying the "black market" rate only and will ask you to sign a separate contract stating that you only pay $100 so they can further save on taxes. These are definitely red flags and I would advise caution on this house....that is all.....just passing on my experience here.... now Jimbo...what hell is your problem? Instead of playing keyboard warrior why don't help people find a deal like your instead of getting all excited and attacking people....I never said I have the gospel truth...only trying to help people avoid mistakes I have already made :)
