Ms Nan (surname withheld), the landlord, said the woman had rented the room for just three months. The first month passed without issue, but problems arose soon after, with the tenant falling behind on rent and frequently complaining about having no money.
“In the third month, I told her that if she couldn’t afford it, she should just let me know so we could find a way to help, or she could cancel the contract,” Ms Nan said.
On Aug 27, the tenant informed her she would be moving out. A conversation followed in which the tenant requested to stay until the following month, but Ms Nan only allowed her until Aug 28. “She acknowledged this, and I had proof of our conversation,” Ms Nan explained.
Later that afternoon, Ms Nan said she was told she could check the room. What she found was far worse than expected.
“When I opened the door, I was shocked. I didn’t expect to see so much trash inside. There’s a rubbish disposal point at the entrance of the dormitory, and the municipal garbage truck comes regularly. But I had never seen her throw anything away before,” she said.
Ms Nan said the tenant then refused to take back her security deposit because of the mess. “It seemed deliberate,” she added, saying the tenant blocked her on messaging apps immediately after.
The landlord admitted the experience left her personally hurt. “I usually try to help my tenants. We were around the same age, and she used to invite me out, though I never went. But I never expected something like this,” she said.
Ms Nan shared her story to warn other landlords to remain cautious. “Sometimes you can’t choose your tenants. Some look good and stay for years, but this one only stayed for three months. Normally the contract is one year. If she had stayed longer, I don’t know what would have happened.”
Despite the unpleasant ordeal, Ms Nan said she does not want to pursue the matter further. “I don’t demand anything. I just prefer to live like a family with my tenants. If customers are happy, landlords are happy.”