Not ALL landlord cheat their tenants. However, who is on the up and up is hard to tell more and more. If you rent an apartment and it's empty, of course you have to furnish it, duh! As far a renovations, I agree with with abcdabcd that you shouldn't invest in that unless you are going to buy it. Come on @abcdabcd you gotta buy some furniture. If not then just rent a room but remember, people like their privacy and don't want to have roommates. Some are married with children looking to rent. You don't sign a contract with the expectation of being cheated. That's not natural in any culture. You just have to be careful. Maybe get some references from previous renters. It's not an easy solution.
"Standing up for abusers by calling generally poorer and less connected people idiots is pretty harsh."
No one is standing up for abusers. But anyone who now knows that landlords can pull off this kind of scam and still put themselves in a situation to be cheated is asking for it.
"You don't sign a contract with the expectation of being cheated."
No, but neither do you go into a contract with absolute faith in not being cheated.
Ok, some furniture is not a big deal. Renovations is a different story.
"Do people think Scum Landlords of Dali or indeed any title containing the word Scum is appropriate for a forum on this website?"
Yes
"Landlords in any country don't evoke my sympathy but foreigners using this sort of language about Chinese people might be interpreted as racism."
Possibly, but if you suggest foreigners be only allowed to say nice things about people because they are Chinese this could also be interpreted as racism. At the end of the day it matters not
"I don't think it's helpful. And let's also remember rents in Dali are rising from a very low base. In 2007 a huge bar on Renmin Lu could be had for 1000 RMB a month which is frankly absurdly low."
Irrelevant
"No, trolling is deliberately posting something inflammatory in order to provoke a response and maybe I fell for it. Blaming victims for the actions of perpetrators when a thread was started by a victim could easily be considered trolling and you seem to do it a lot."
I didn't exactly blame him. I suggested that he should have been more vigilant. And anyone who knows about this scam now and still makes the same mistake is an idiot. I don't think I'm being harsh.
As far as inflammatory comments, if it's done for the sole reason of provoking a response, then it's trolling. If there's another reason behind it, then it's not trolling.
I take it you chose the name Chingis cos it's in line with your political views.
Oh...I think the title is quite appropriate - although I believe "scum" would be quite offended if it discovered it was being classed in the same gutter class as "scum" Dali landlords.
In fact - I think the forum originator was quite polite and delicate in his or her choice of titles, given the contract breach. I've always believed it best to deal with ingrates on the same level - so when a landlord wants to breach their contract - they need to PAY off the contract or the pro-rated renovations.
And finally - I believe it would be fiercely amusing to simply respond with a "No" and ignore further attempts at contract breach without a refund of advance rents paid (to be held by an unbiased and reasonably incorrigible third party, such as a bank).
Wow !
Mr. abcdefg.
Sure, I'm more than happy to take the blame for being naive and trusting. I have nothing else I want to give, but my trust and naivety.
Like a child who never grew up. How glorious.
For me it is the risk of trust.
How can I do anything else and use a mirror to shave in.
Of course you're quite correct, it is sheer folly to invest in furniture. So i went out and brought a new washing machine. I threw the machine away and am now living in the box it came in. Life never got so good.
Not really sure what trolling is, but I'm up for it if you are. Is there a special costume I have to wear ?
Hey cloudtrapezer, You mentioned chinese. How do you know I am not chinese. The scum part was a referance to slum landlords, but nevermind.
Ok, let me get this straight. So far I'm a naive, racist idiot.
Wondeful. You sow the seed, you reap the seed. Isn't it ?
Many thanks Laotou for using the word 'incorrigible' a nice end to the night. English is great.
Thanks for your responses, much appreciated.
If anything happens with the lawyer and I find a modicum of justice i will post it here. Maybe a bit of encouragemnet for anyone else in the same situation.
Horse.
Hey Horse, was I too harsh on you man? Let me defend you at least by saying I don't think you're racist! Also, I didn't say YOU are an idiot. I meant anyone who is aware of this scam and still takes the risk is silly. I was just suggesting that you were being too naive and trusting, particularly since anyone who has lived in China any considerable amount of time should be aware that contracts here are not always respected.
If it makes you feel any better, I've been duped on many occasions.
Best of luck with the legal battle. Keep us posted!
We were also kicked out of our rented apartment, but only one month before the end of a two year contract. We actually had the landlord's relatives knock on our door several times saying that the apartment wasn't legal to rent out and that we had to move. It was more of a family dispute then a legal one, but the result was the same. For those who are thinking of renting in the future, this is the one good thing about going through a real estate agency as they can legally be the go-between if anything goes wrong. Incidentally, there should be a clause in the contract about the landlord (party A) breaking the contract. There is usually some compensation and needed notice, but it's not much as long as he/she gives you the proper notice. Read the contracts carefully before signing (or get a friend to translate if needed).
my landlord also wanted raise rent from 900 to 1200 before end contract. i went local police signal the fact and told her that was not legal, she dropped out her claims
dont believe contracts in china, even love contracts
