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

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

I checked it out with cfbt...the deal with the 12 months thing applies to the 'old' style contracts, that is, when people were placed directly into accommodation. Teachers were required to stay put in the first house for 12 months. I can think of at least half a dozen people who still were able to move within that time for a range of reasons though! So now, except for a few specific situations, no one goes straight into accommodation, everyone has to find their own.

After the first 12 months, you can leave part way through a lease as long as you give the proper notice period- it's either 12 or 14 weeks. I understand that when there is a change of landlord a new contract is supposed to be drawn up with Cfbt.

The follow-up is that the buyers passed on this property! At least we're wise to the landlord wanting to sell now.

zootalaws · Joined: 19 Apr 2010 Posts: 46

What kind of housing allowance is being offered these days? I must say when you look at the CfBT house gallery and try and marry that to the $1200-1500 bracket you fall well short.

Most of the houses in the gallery seem to be in the $3000/mo range, going by the real estate agency listings I have seen...

We will (hopefully) be a married couple only, no dependents.

BOBBYSUE · Joined: 15 Mar 2007 Posts: 100

when I arrived (not that long ago) it was 1800 - which was the same as an RBA pilot and more than a teacher at ISB, the international school. It's still possible to get one like the ones on the site for that price, depending on the area. In KB I've heard it's impossible.

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

It's $1400 for single, no kids, $1500 for married w dependents or single parents, $1800 for teaching couple. That's the 'housing budget' where if you find something for less than that, you can keep the change. Housing allowance, they are letting people go over those numbers, but they have no chance of 'keeping the change'. It doesn't make sense to me, but I understand it's to do with the general shortage of suitable accommodation as well as cfbt no longer putting people straight into houses. Predictable in its unpredictability!

Javaggall · Joined: 07 Mar 2009 Posts: 41 Location: Tees Valley, UK

I have been in Brunei 9 months now and as a married contract with kids (and non-working spouse) we got $1800 housing allowance. The $1500 figure is if you want the money straight into your bank account and try to find something cheaper to make a profit - and there are fewer and fewer houses in this price range, and none that I would have even considered! There were some for $2000 a month that would need complete refurbishment before I would go near!
That said there are good houses to be found if you keep an open mind - and don't go looking at the obvious. We found a 3-bed that CfBT housing thought no one at CfBT would consider as it was "too small" - it is huge, lovely rooms, newly refurbished and the envy of many an ex-pat! And still in at $1800 a month. The 3 -bed tag was supposed to put people off but it is plenty big enough and, as we have no live-in ama, we have made the downstairs ama room into a fourth bedroom for guests. Perfect!
As to contracts, people are getting out of them all the time - including people who moved staright in on that option and now find they don't like the house - they have been allowed to get out of their contract. There is room for negotiation and CfBT seem very open to the "everyone's an individual and should be treated as such" idea.
Good luck on the housing front Bella - your landlord needs a kick up the bum anyway and maybe you should get in first! Find the house of your dreams and drop him like a smelly old kipper! Will let you know if hear of anything up by us - there is some renovation going on at Lucky Gardens so always a possibility.

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

I know I am resurrecting an old thread but anyway.....at Celtica- positive visualisation worked! Am now in a house that fits the bill perfectly with a lovely, non-involved, does what needs doing and is happy if the rent is paid on time and the house kept neat and tidy (Chinese) landlord! Bruneians are great people, easygoing, relaxed I am much more comfortable with the direct Chinese business style. And Java- it's even on budget! Only took 2 years to find the right house!

Everyone else esp the new arrivals, do look around, there are places out there but be prepared to keep an open mind as to location and what your 'must haves' are. Smile

Javaggall · Joined: 07 Mar 2009 Posts: 41 Location: Tees Valley, UK

Knew you had found a house but saw your recent comment and wanted to say "well done" and congrats! I would echo your comment that there are houses out there and just keep looking and keep an open mind. Anyone reading this and house hunting though - you must speak to CfBT re budget! I am sure there is room for negotiation and you may find many houses are now in the $2000 - $2500 bracket. Landlords seem to be able to leave the house empty and still make money so they are prepared to wait till someone is prepared to pay the price. It is my thought that the days of the rebate house $1500 budget are long gone.