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Hi there. I'm seeking some advice from people who have been here a while and may have had dealings with the police and crooked landlords.
The day after signing the contract to our house, a new sign went up advising of demolition and construction of the house adjoining ours.
Our landlords claim they knew nothing of it, and additionally there is nothing they can do about it. Our Vietnamese friend knows the adjoining owners and people in our alley, and advises us that our landlords did indeed definitely know about it, and are probably receiving payments to allow the construction to occur out of hours on the weekend.
We negotiated with the landlords and succeeded in getting $200 per month knocked off our rent (Total $600).
So now our next 3 months of rent is due, and the landlords are now saying it was only $200 in total they are going to knock off. It's pretty obvious that these guys are a pack of lying thieves and they're trying to take us for a ride, so we're going to move out.
So the situation is that they have our bond. I figure we can "get that back" by just stalling and not paying rent for the next month, thus getting at least the value of it back in some way.
I'm also thinking about going to the police and showing them the rental contract for $700 that we have (the landlord made us sign a dodgy one). This will make the government aware that they're not paying enough tax.
Finally, if these methods don't work, I'm thinking about selling some of the furniture to recoup our money.
What are your thoughts?
landlord rental scam bond construction (add tags) Why? Details of tags
answered about 7 months ago by mattpowell
You could try all that, personally I think you would be onto a hiding to nothing though... I wouldn't suggest selling the furniture though, that might get nasty with the landlord and they could get the police involved in that. Prob best option is stall as long as you can and write it off to experience. Sorry not very positive but its not worth the grey hairs and stress sometimes. Dealing with the police I've never found a pleasant experience, they won't care I guess unless you start paying them to take an interest. Sorry - I'm a cynic about all this stuff now... Try your luck but it will take a lot of energy. Good luck Matt.
answered about 7 months ago by Stosskraft
Hey, Can you tell us where are you staying? It sounds like the same situation I am in now.
answered about 7 months ago by Luci1
Sorry to hear of your situations. It would be good if you could both say where you are staying so that others like myself who are looking for accommodation dont fall prey to these people
answered about 7 months ago by maliusmaximus
I'm staying at House 2, Lane 108 Ngoc Ha street. The landlords were as nice as pie, and had us fooled. We've been here for a year, so we're not complete fools, but we let our guard down for a moment and weren't tyrannical psychopaths as we should have been when negotiating the terms of the contract. I guess the key is to get something in writing guaranteeing that there is no construction that they are aware of. I hear that often a house becomes available because the owners know something is about to occur, as was the case with us. In any event, I think I will at least show the police the rental agreement. Hopefully that will sting the landlords in the wallet. It's not even the money. It's the dishonesty and inconvenience and being taken for a fool that pisses me off.
I agree. You should show the police. If nothing else it may deter other landlords from doing the same thing in the future.Thankyou for telling us where to avoid.
answered about 7 months ago by bobthebob01
huuuummmm.... i'd try to avoid dealing with police as much as possible. It could really get painful. They will probably try to make you come to an agreement with the landlord, then it comes to who is in better terms with them. Unless you really want to stay in that place (which you should get out as construction work is long and they work almost 24/7 here), you should simply get out or buy earplugs. The fake lease could play in your favor. Being crooked works both ways! but don't forget that in a way you are as faulty as the landlord since you signed that lease, therefore you were also aware of that. i know, that's the tricky part. just be aware that going against "the system" going to the police with the fake lease to help the future tenant etc... is going up against a major wall if you ask me. Keep in mind that we are and all that it implies.
answered about 7 months ago by letsgoeverywhere
To get the police to do anything, you'll have to bribe them mightily. The problem here is your landlord can simply up the ante by increasing *their* bribe to the police, which they gladly do. I've had this happen more than once. So, if it's really, really, worth it to you to teach these ass landlords a lesson, be prepared to pay several mil at least to get the police to lean on them. Otherwise, you'll encounter an "us vs. them" mentality and the police will side with your landlord (who bribes them anyway just to have foreigners living at his/her place). Did that make sense? It's also handy to befriend a police officer here, who may advocate for you for free. I never taught English before, but I made an exception for a young cop I met at Fivimart who struck up a conversation. That friendship has been more than useful for us both.
PS. The police all know about the two signed contracts scam... That's mainly done for income tax purposes.
I agree with not getting the police involved, unless you have a good relationship with someone. Your situation sounds alot like what me and letsgo are going through at Hanh Hotel. Is your landlord Ms Hanh by chance? I think you should try to do something, but calling the police could have a negative effect also. If your contract is watertight and you are not breaking anything in it, then go ahead...but unfortunately loud noise ( construction/horns ) is a fact of life here and the cops may just tell you to live with it. I would just pull a runner at night, but remember all the neighbours will be watching you also.
answered about 7 months ago by Mike
Been here on and off for 10 years, married to a Hanoian, and the one lesson I have learnt is in situations like this don't confront the landlord as you have suggested. As a foreigner, you will always be in the wrong, as some fairly twisted logic can operate in these situations. My suggestion is to cut your losses and bow out as gracefully as you can. Don't hesitate to let the expat community know the address of this place and owners name. The depressing thing is that once you quit this place you need to start the entire process again. Finding good landlords is difficult, and in 10 years I have not had much luck I'm afraid.
answered about 7 months ago by Ouriel
Agree with Mike on this one ... cut ya losses and stack it up to experience. Wish you the best in finding a new place.
Its a hard one... I think we'll bow out gracefully and hopefully piss them off in the process without sticking our necks out too far. And good advice on befriending a police officer letsgoeverywhere.. I'm gonna do just that. I find it hard to live with the fact though. If we give in with no fight, it just makes it easier for them to do it to the next person. We're gonna make life as hard for them as possible to show their actions aren't moral. On that note, can anybody recommend a good agent to look for houses in the inner city area (Ba Dinh, Chuc bac lake, Hoan Kiem, Hai Ba Trung etc..) Thanks
answered about 7 months ago by alpha
To preempt what is about to happen here (because this is the most asked question on Ask A.N.H.), PLEASE enter the agents into the database through the "Add a Business to the Directory" link in the bottom of this page. Listing them in Ask A.N.H. is great and all, but if people are going to consistently be able to relate their experiences with different agents (who often work directly and knowingly with landlords like this) to the community, it needs to be this way. Even if they are rather "informal" businesses with no address or known map point, enter them. We need people reviewing them so that the good ones are rewarded and made known while the scumbags are avoided. Not much is going to change without some sort of accountability. If they are a lone agent without any business name to attach to their activities, list them by something like "Agent - Mr./Ms. (name)". That will work for now. Let's get them documented and aware that their actions are public. When you meet with them, ask to take their photograph. If they refuse, that should be enough to make you want to look elsewhere. If they accept, add it to their page here on the site.
Definitely let it be known far and wide, maybe make posters if you're really pissed, with the address of this terrible place. It sounds like the landlord screwed himself, because you were willing to stay at a discounted rate despite the construction. Now he's gotta find someone else to accept the place while the racket's already going on! Dumb!
Well the agents who helped us find the place were awesome! We've got them looking for us again. It's just the owners of this house that are doing us over. But yeah I'll put the address on the map.
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