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Cost of living is on the rise in Singapore.

It started off small, with people noticing that the prices of hawker food had increased, and they now had to fork out S$3.50 for what was once a S$3.00 plate of chicken rice.

Although met with disgruntlement, minimal increments in food prices were still more or less palatable for most Singaporeans.

After a while, we stopped complaining about S$0.80 soya bean milk.

When it comes to rents, the price hikes can be hard to swallow for some.

75 per cent rent increase

A British national who is known as Sal on TikTok uploaded a video exposing the unreasonable price hike implemented by her landlord.

@salshoult It’s my turn to feel the burn of the SG rental market! #sgexpats #sgrent ♬ original sound - Sal

At the start of the video, Sal revealed that she's been feeling "all anxious" about the rental market in Singapore before the landlord broke the news to her.

"We've just been informed by our landlord that he's only going to increase our rent by 75 per cent," she said.

Emphasis on the "only".

"Great news, um," Sal continued sarcastically, "I've been reliably informed that this is an excellent deal."

While Sal did not mention where and what type of housing she's living in, to put the rent increase into context, Housing & Development Board (HDB) stats show that in the last quarter of 2022, the highest increase in rent was recorded at 50 per cent in Sembawang for a 4-room flat, in comparison to the last quarter of 2021.

Now any sane person would have some follow-up questions for Sal.

Landlord said this is great 'discount'

Sal said her landlord graciously offered an explanation.

"If we choose not to accept, he's going to put it onto the open market at a 100 per cent increased rate, so really he's giving us a 25 per cent discount. How generous of him."

Sal ended the video with a not really surprising revelation.

"So yeah, I'm moving out."

She added in the comments that she was not paying the rent based on principle alone.

"Greedy humans. I too am a landlord in the UK and have not raised the rent for my tenants because I am acutely aware there is a cost of living crisis."

Sal said she was a good tenant: "Paid rent on time every month. Kept property in good condition."

Internet agrees with Sal

The British content creator wasn't the only one unhappy with the unfavourable housing market.

Many comments on her video claimed that they were in the same boat and moving out too.

Some were sympathetic towards the landlord. He gotta eat too.

This user offered a pretty legit recommendation.

Sal isn't the only expat who has felt the burn of rising rent.

According to CNA, other expats on social media have been vocal about the "red-hot rental market in Singapore", reporting on "landlords not being open to negotiations and renters having to overbid in order to secure a place."

A 24-year-old South Korean currently pays S$2,000 a month for one master bedroom in a condo unit near Boon Keng.

Top images via Galen Crout