Tag Archives: rental condo

What is a Reasonable Expectation for Service?

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Moving to a new country offers many things you have to figure out and get used to. Really the idea of exotic locals is largely outdated. Most things are basically the same everywhere. It is the details that get a bit tricky.

I knew this so paid extra for my rental with the expectation that the extra payment meant I got the higher level of service expats expected. This made sense to me. It sure seems like I get as bad a service as could possibly be tolerated. I can’t imagine there is a level lower than this.

I don’t know if I am just being taken advantage of by my agent. Or if this is just the state of “customer service.” The condo had many issues to be addressed (it was known it had issues and hadn’t been rented out for years). I said I would go to Thailand for 2 weeks and return when we agreed the items would be taken care of. I returned, nothing had been done.

Numerous follow ups by me were required to get the minimum to finally be done to let me move in. The entire time I have had to ask 3-6 times for things to be done. Repeated request for status always failed to get a response.

People would not show up when they were suppose to, to fix stuff, again I had to manage this as the agent was missing in action. If people didn’t show up at all again the agent was missing in action and I had to tell him. This has repeated for everything. No matter what, I have to ask multiple times (actually there were maybe 3 times when I didn’t have to do so, but by and large I have had to).

Two of the ACs didn’t work (remember the house was not used for years prior). The one in my bedroom I got fixed. Another one I only tested and it seemed to blow out cold air so I went on. A few months later I started using that room and the AC doesn’t work (probably the freon is out – but maybe it is just broken). So it never worked, and they said I can pay to fix the AC that never worked in this unit they assured me was more expensive because they would provide good service and assure things were at an “expat level.” Again this seems like they are just either taking advantage of me of have a very poor standard of service but maybe my expectations are wrong.

The fridge has never been good, but I didn’t care that much. Now the ancient fridge died, ruining all my food. I told the agent. They said he would arrange for someone to fix it. So I cancelled my plans for the day and skipped lunch as I couldn’t leave… Noone came. After lunch I left a message asking what was going on. Still today, no response. As typical, failure of expected functions followed by requiring multiple contact by me. Lousy communication provided by agent. Leaving me stranded with no one showing up. Leaving me stranded without functioning equipment.

Is this just lousy service and response. Or is this typical?

Should I just go buy a new fridge and deduct that from my next rent payment?

I did know I was taking a risk believing the claims of the agent that they would provide good service. They seemed capable and seemed to have a business based upon service clients that would expect good service (so had a reason to build a business that provided it). And I was really tired and just wanted to be through looking for a place (I probably was a fool to just give in, but I did it so I have to live with it).

Wadihana Condo: RM 2,000 to RM 2,500 per month

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Wadihana condos are large condos in Johor Bahru CBD with only 6 units on each floor.

The Johor Bahru market continues to favor renters. If you are looking to rent feel free to take your time and compare what options you have. And feel free to bargain for what is most important to you (if you want some improvements made to the unit or furnishings, or a reduced price…).

Most all condos expats are looking at come fully furnished. A few are partially furnished. You should always check, but normally the listing will make it very clear if it isn’t at least, largely furnished.

See our overview of the Wadihana condo.

  • 1,667 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, RM 2,500 per month
  • 1,852 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, RM 2,500 per month
  • 1,750 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, RM 2,000 per month

2, of the 6, penthouse condos are currently for sale, both for RM 1,100,000. They are 2 story condos with over 3,300 square feet. Regular units are about RM 450,000.

Danga View and Adamai Condos: RM 2,000 to RM 4,000 per month

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Adamai condo is a new mid-rise condo in JB town with only 47 units in the building. Danga View condos are located in the Danga Bay area and provide smaller units.

The Johor Bahru market continues to favor renters. If you are looking to rent feel free to take your time and compare what options you have. And feel free to bargain for what is most important to you (if you want some improvements made to the unit or furnishings, or a reduced price or whatever).

Most all condos expats are looking at come fully furnished. A few are partially furnished. You should always check, but normally the listing will make it very clear if it isn’t at least, largely furnished.

See our overview of the Adamai condo.

  • Multiple units available with your choice of 1389; 1410; 1485; or 1528 square feet, 3 (+1) bedrooms, 3 baths, partially furnished for RM 3,200 per month, fully furnished starting at RM 4,000 per month.

See our overview of the Danga View condo. Units available now include:

  • 1,038 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, RM 2,000 per month
  • 1,038 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, RM 2,500 per month

Indah Samudra and Lagenda Tasek Condos for Rent: RM 2,000 – RM 3,500/month

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In this post we show several options for rent now at a few of the condos expats favor went renting in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

It is important to remember in Johor Bahru the rental agents work for the landlord. So they are only willing to show you condos which the landlord is paying them to show. Therefore, if you want to see what is available you have to find that out yourself. You can’t rely on your agent for anything other than the ones they happen to have available in their inventory. Some agents are not very open about this and try to make it seem like your options are much more limited than they really are. You have to look out for yourself (you can also judge the forthrightness of an agent by how they explain the market to you).

Propnet and iProperty are good places to look for available units. But for reasons I can’t understand, many units are not shown online (you have to contact many different people to find them which seems like a very inefficient way to operate, in my opinion).

Some of the units currently available for rent:

See our overview of the Lagenda Tasek Luxury Suites

  • 1,043 square feet, 3 bedroom, 2 baths, city view, RM 2,000 month
  • 1,241 sf, 3 bedroom, 2 baths, lower floor with garden view, RM 2,300 month

See our overview of the Indah Samudra Condo

  • 2,433 sf, 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, RM 3,500 month
  • 1,365 sf, 2 + 1 bedrooms (+1 under bedrooms usually means a room could theoretically be used as a bedroom, but expats normally wouldn’t want to – very small, often no window), 2 baths (1 has a full bathtub), RM 2,500 month
  • 1,365 sf, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, RM 2,500 month

Related: Molek Pine Condos RM 2,500 to RM 4,000/mo – Straits View Condos Available: RM 2,800/m to RM 5,500/m

Molek Pine Condos RM 2,500 – RM 4,000

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See our overview of the Molek Pine Condos.

There are many condos available at Molek Pine in the current 2 towers, and a third tower is being built. One thing you have to keep in mind when looking for a place to live in Johor Bahru is that many available units are not listed online. A few places, like Straits View and Molek Pine have a larger percentage listed online (given that that are targeting expats and also that they are more expensive, real estate agents representing them are more experienced and have more tools available, etc.).

Good places to look for rental condos at Molek Pine are iProperty and Propnet. As you can see below prices can vary by quite a bit and it isn’t obvious from the descriptions why those asking for much more have to offer for the additional price. It is wise to be a wise consumer and know what the current market is. Some factors do affect the price – in general higher floors have higher prices (floor 15 for example is more than floor 5 for the same unit), nicer furnishings will also increase the price a bit.

Many rental agents in Johor Bahru don’t have the skills and experience needed by many expats. This can mean those agents can charge owners a bit higher prices which may then be passed on in the rental price. That price may well be worth it for expats and owners, that will have an easier time renting to expats with such an agent. Some of the units currently available for rent:

  • Inside looks very nice (see photos), low floor, 1,075 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, RM 2,600/month
  • High floor, 1,800 square feet, 3 bedrooms (+1), 3 bathrooms, RM 2,500/month.
  • 1,469 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, RM 2,500/month
  • High floor, 1,469 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, RM 3,000/month
  • 1,469 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, RM 3,200/month
  • 1,469 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, RM 4,000/month

Related: Straits View Condos Available: RM 2,800/m to RM 5,500/m