“Scammers are impersonating property agents with fake IDs…I’ve even been impersonated myself.”
That was how top PropNex agent Matt Lam described the number one threat in Singapore’s rental market today. Professional-looking fraudsters create fake CEA cards, hijack property videos, and pressure tenants into paying deposits for units they’ll never get to live in. Some even go so far as to threaten agents’ friends if they report them.
And if scams aren’t bad enough, landlords face another nightmare: tenants who leave behind wreckage. Matt recalled a recent case at OUE Twin Peaks that he described as nothing short of a crime scene — cigarette burns, rotting food with maggots, piles of empty wine bottles, stained sheets, and even unflushed toilets. The tenants vanished overseas, leaving the mess (and the bill) behind. Matt says, “I wish Rently existed 10-15 years ago.”
Despite the horror stories, Matt remains pragmatic. “At the end of the day, rental is all about balance. Landlords want their units protected, tenants want a fair deal, and agents need to maintain harmony between both sides.”
That’s why vigilance is crucial. Always verify an agent’s identity, never transfer deposits without a physical viewing, and remember: if a listing looks too cheap to be true, it probably is.
At Rently, we believe renting doesn’t have to feel like a gamble. With secure digital processes, agent verification, and deposit-free rentals, we’re building a safer, smarter market for everyone so the next chapter in your rental journey isn’t a horror story, but a happy one.
👉 Want to hear Matt’s full take, from scam survival tips to his funniest TikTok jokes? Check it out on our Youtube page!
