Job Discussion Forums

BellaBrunei · Joined: 20 Aug 2009 Posts: 40 Location: Brunei

Have any of the Brunei people had a change of ownership on their rented house? My landlord has been bringing potential buyers over to look at our house and it is making me nervous about the rent being increased, or things not being done maintenance wise if he sells to less involved people. When ownership changes, does that mean a new lease gets drawn up? Thanks, BB

celtica · Joined: 29 Jun 2008 Posts: 137

Does the housing department in Cfbt know what's happening? Based on what has happened to others after the house was sold, sometimes you have to move. CfBT are the signatories on the tenancy so they should be watching your back for you! (Yeah right!) Might be a good idea to start looking....just in case! It is a bit more difficult to get good (cheap) houses nowadays.

BellaBrunei · Joined: 20 Aug 2009 Posts: 40 Location: Brunei

told cfbt that things might be happening....he (the landlord) did say he was selling to investors, so unlikely they would want to move in, but they may jack up the rent, or not finish some of the things we had verbal agreements with the current landlord to complete. I am hoping that if there is a sale, it all goes nice and slowly, Brunei style, and we could move at the end of the year instead of midway through.....better chances of a decent house then, I hope! Market is pretty tight for what we want:) It's abit nerve wracking- The worst thing about renting.

celtica · Joined: 29 Jun 2008 Posts: 137

'Tis indeed nerve wracking!.... if you decide to go looking for a house remember to ask your chinese colleagues. Often they know of places ...and they earn a month's rent by organising tenants for the owner!

BOBBYSUE · Joined: 15 Mar 2007 Posts: 100

I can understand your nervousness Bella but I think you need to relax a little. It's not really 'dodgy' for a landlord to want to sell his house and it sounds like he''s being straight with you. CfBT will help you if you flag something to them, but they're not going to be watching 250 houses at all times Celtica! Ultimately, if a landlord sells and you have to move, you have to move. Could happen anywhere, but at least here you've got a housing dept to help you find somewhere else if it does happen...I had it with an apartment in London and there was no team of kind and helpful Bruneians to help me!

BellaBrunei · Joined: 20 Aug 2009 Posts: 40 Location: Brunei

BobbySue- more than anything I want to be prepared should we have to move. It's hard enough finding decent housing within the allowance (although from reports of recent arrivals I am learning there is a lot more flexibility than it would seem in the shortfalls cfbt is willing to cover).

The dodgy thing is that we only moved in 2 months ago- having made a case for the landlord's desire to be on cfbt's books long term which was what he told us- and now he wants to sell it, with work still not finished (it's a brand new house). We negotiated really good rent and I am 100% certain if it sells that rent will increase. The question would be whether a new tenancy agreement would be drawn up as soon as the sale went through, or whether new owners are more likely to wait until the current one expires before they put the rent up.

I know everyone is entitled to change their minds, I do it often enough, but it's nice for the people who will be affected (ie my family and me) to have an action plan.

Celtica- nice tip on who to ask...I hadn't thought of that. Should have really, I mean who are possibly the most entrepreneurial people in this part of the world????

celtica · Joined: 29 Jun 2008 Posts: 137

Might be that having it on Cfbt's books would make it attractive for the new 'investor'...guaranteed rent!

As long as it truly is an investor..... and of course that is the issue. Have you heard of the Law of Attraction? A bit 'american' for my taste... but its basic thrust is you get what you think of. Think negative ...you get it...think positive, you get it.

Start visualising your ideal new landlord!!! Make lists of all his/her fantastic people skills/willingness to provide all you need to be comfortable/and a desperate need for you to stay forever! The idea is to have these in your mind ...constantly...by doing that, you will attract just what you desire. Of course it helps if you actually believe it too.

GOOD LUCK!

jsteventon · Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 191

Hi,

i know that the CfBT renter has to stay in the same house for minimum one year before being allowed to leave. I wonder if there is a reciprocal requirement of the landlord from CfBT - to guarantee that the teacher will be able to rent the house for a year.

Worth checking out...

JS