The Fungus Among Us: When Your Apartment Grows a Life of Its Own

Imagine securing your dream rental in a prime location, only to return from a holiday and find mushrooms growing on the floor. Yes, real mushrooms—fuzzy, toxic, and thriving between the laminate tiles. That’s exactly what happened to Chara.

“I came back, and there they were—a whole colony of mushrooms sprouting from my floor,” she recalled. “Not only that, but all my color pencils, shoes, and bags were covered in mold.”

Turns out, the apartment’s poor ventilation had created the perfect breeding ground for a fungal infestation. When she reported it to the landlord, his solution? “Just send it for cleaning.” A week later, he ghosted her entirely. When she checked back, she found he had simply painted over the problem, likely leaving the next tenant to discover the same horror.

Lesson learned: Always check for mold when renting. If a place smells musty or has fresh paint, it might be a cover-up. And remember, landlords are responsible for ensuring a livable space—don’t let them get away with ignoring real issues.

The Cheating Ex and the Case of the Unpaid Rent

Moving in with a partner is supposed to be exciting. For Chara, it quickly turned into financial fraud and heartbreak.

She and her then-boyfriend decided to rent a one-bedroom condo in Dhoby Ghaut for $2,350 a month. The deal? They’d split the rent. The reality?

“He never paid anything,” Chara said. “First, it was excuses. Then, he kept saying, ‘I’ll send it soon.’ Three months in, I realized he had never transferred a single cent.”

As if that wasn’t bad enough, she soon discovered he was cheating on her—with his ex, who had moved into the next block of the same condo complex.

“That’s how I found out—his ex messaged me and told me he’d been living with her the whole time.”

With no financial contribution from him and a broken heart, Chara paid the rest of the lease alone. She was still calling him years later, asking for the money he owed her, but he had blocked her number.

Lesson learned? Never sign a rental agreement with someone you barely know. And if you do, make sure they send their share of the deposit upfront—before you commit.

For couples (or roommates) renting together, Rently Pay makes tracking rent contributions transparent and easy. Learn more at: www.rently.sg/solutions/rently-pay

The Landlord Who Loved Her Toilet (Too Much)

Bad landlords come in all forms, but few are as persistent as Chara’s overly attached landlord, who insisted on using her toilet multiple times a week.

“He’d text me all the time asking to enter the apartment,” she said. “At first, I thought maybe he needed to check something. But nope—he just needed water from my toilet to clean the corridor.”

Despite the fact that there were three other tenants on the same floor, he insisted on using her unit specifically.

Lesson learned: Watch for overly-involved landlords. If they’re contacting you more than necessary, it might be a red flag. A good rental experience includes privacy and clear boundaries.

Co-Living? Not for Me.

During her rental search, Chara considered co-living spaces—but quickly realized they weren’t for her.

“I looked into places like Figment and Cove, but I hated the idea of paying extra just to ‘socialize’ with my housemates,” she said. “Home should be where I relax, not where I’m forced to attend networking events.”

While co-living works for some, it’s not for everyone—especially if you value privacy, independence, and having your own space.

What Renting Taught Me: Tips for First-Time Renters

After multiple apartments, scams, and bizarre experiences, Chara has some key advice for first-time renters:

✅ Know what you want before searching. Having a clear list (like Chara’s demand for expressway access and parking) will help you make quick decisions.✅ Check for mold before signing. Look for fresh paint, musty smells, or any signs of previous water damage.✅ Be wary of roommates—especially romantic ones. Always ensure both parties pay deposits upfront.✅ Take photos of everything. This will protect your deposit and help if disputes arise.✅ Watch for controlling landlords. If they ask to enter the unit frequently, expect ongoing privacy issues.

Finding a Rental Without the Drama

Chara’s experiences may sound extreme, but they’re far from uncommon in Singapore’s rental market. From sneaky landlords to unexpected fungal infestations, renters need to stay vigilant.

That’s why platforms like Rently exist—to ensure a safe, transparent, and hassle-free rental experience. Whether you’re looking for your first apartment or upgrading to a better place, Rently’s verified listings, secure payment systems, and landlord accountability make renting much smoother.

Don’t let bad rentals ruin your experience. Find a home without the horror stories at: www.rently.sg/discover

Have your own rental horror story? Share your experience in the comments—we’d love to hear from you!

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