S'pore landlord allegedly converts 3-room flat into 7 rooms, including storeroom

A Malaysian influencer living in Singapore has gone viral on Instagram after sharing what she described as her "scariest renting story".

In a reel on Jun. 14, the woman, who goes by @zhishinn on Instagram, said her landlord had suddenly converted the 3-room property in Spottiswoode into seven separate rooms.

He'd even listed the kitchen and storeroom for rent, she alleged.

She has since moved out of the property.

Sudden "big renovation"

Zhishinn, who is also a Singapore PR, said she has been renting in Singapore for three years.

She chose the Spottiswoode unit for its proximity to the CBD, and thought she would "live there [for] many years" due to its convenient location.

"Until one day, my landlord is suddenly doing a big renovation," she said in the video.

According to her, the landlord divided the living room into two rooms, converted the kitchen into a room, and partitioned the storeroom for rental as well.

"Even the storeroom, he wants to rent out. Who will live there?" she said.

She described the weeks that followed as disruptive and stressful, with contractors coming in and out daily, the entire flat covered in dust, and the kitchen demolished, leaving tenants unable to cook.

"My biggest worry is overcrowding, fire hazard, those safety issues," she said.

Overnight move

In her caption, Zhishinn added that she decided to move out after "weeks of stress and difficult conversations".

"All of us working so hard every day just want to come home to a safe space. To rest and recharge. Because your living environment really has a huge impact on your mental health," she said.

In another video, she shared that she'd managed to find a new place to rent: a HDB common room where she pays S$1,300 a month.

Zhishinn also mentioned in her caption that the video did not seek to expose anyone, but to comfort others who "may be going through similar situations in silence."

What are the rules?

While she described the rental as an "HDB", Mothership understands that it is a private residential property.

According to an online search, there are three condominium complexes in Spottiswoode: Spottiswoode Residences, Spottiswoode Suites, and Spottiswoode 18.

There's also an interesting cluster of blocks at Spottiswoode Park Road, some of which are HDB-owned, and others which were later privatised and are now considered "apartments".

According to URA, for private residential properties smaller than 90 sq m in Singapore, there is an occupancy cap of six unrelated persons per unit.

For larger private residential properties of over 90 sq m, up to eight such persons are allowed to occupy the property, provided the owner registers with URA.

This is due to a temporary relaxation in the occupancy cap, which has been extended until Dec. 31, 2028.