29-07-2025
Tanjung Puteri apartment owner ordered to return deposit
Tavaseelan says many issues cropped up at the Tanjung Puteri apartment, prompting him and his brother to leave.
A HOTEL manager in Singapore filed a case with Johor Consumer Claims Tribunal after the owner of his tenanted unit refused to refund part of his deposit.
Claimant A. Tavaseelan said they had left the unit on April 17 and handed over the keys of the apartment located at Jalan Bukit Meldrum in Tanjung Puteri, Johor Baru, to the respondent on April 30.
Tavaseelan and his brother A. Rueben Raj, who works as an engineer in Singapore, were co-tenants.
They moved into the unit on April 30, 2023, and the monthly rental was set at RM2,200 for the first year.
'The rental was increased to RM2,700 when we renewed the tenancy agreement on April 30, 2024.
'However, our unit was located above the swimming pool and the foul smell which emanated from the toilets there permeated our unit,' said the claimant, adding the owner did not disclose this prior to renting out the unit.
Tavaseelan also said fungus started to appear on the walls of the unit in the second year.
'We were away for three weeks and only discovered this when we returned from abroad,' he said, adding that the owner did not do anything when informed of the situation.
Tavaseelan and Rueben Raj decided to move out and the owner agreed to return their deposit of RM7,017 after determining the unit was left in a good condition.
Tavaseelan said the respondent delayed refunding the deposit.
'The respondent only refunded RM1,585.70 on May 30, after she received a notice from the Tribunal to attend the hearing,'' he said when met outside the tribunal in Menara Ansar.
Tribunal president Hafez Zalkapli ordered the respondent to refund RM5,471 to the claimant within two weeks.
Those who need assistance can call 07-227 1755 or 07-227 1766 or visit the Tribunal office at Level 17, Menara Ansar, Jalan Trus, Johor Baru.
