00:01When a 52-year-old Indonesian woman approached Lim saying she was broke and needed a place to stay,
00:07the 29-year-old landlord felt sympathy and agreed to help.
00:12Out of compassion, Lim rented out her flat in Ampang to the woman for 600 ringgit a month in March
00:19last year,
00:20without signing a formal tenancy agreement.
00:22She now says she deeply regrets that decision.
00:25At a press conference organised by MCA Public Services and Complaints Department Head Datuk Sri Michael Chong on Monday,
00:33Lim alleged that the tenant later used the property's address to obtain illegal loans, resulting in loan sharks harassing her.
00:41She also claimed the tenant allowed loan sharks into the unit and permitted them to record videos inside the home
00:48without her knowledge or consent.
01:10Lim further alleged that the loan sharks threatened to burn down her home and splash red paint on the property.
01:16She also said she received a video showing a house being set on fire.
01:21The tenant had allegedly told her she worked as a restaurant waitress and intended to stay for only six months.
01:28Lim said she only realised the severity of the situation when she received a call from a loan shark on
01:34April 20th this year,
01:35claiming the tenant had borrowed money and defaulted on repayment.
02:03The caller allegedly told her that her contact details and home address
02:07had been used as references for the loan.
02:10Lim also claimed she later discovered the tenant had used utility bills linked to the property to apply for loans
02:17from illegal money lenders.
02:19Fearing for her safety, she instructed the tenant to move out on April 21st
02:25after neighbours reported seeing unknown individuals visiting the property while the tenant was away.
02:31Out of fear and to prevent damage to her property, Lim said she paid RM3,450 to the loan sharks.
02:40However, she alleged that the harassment continued despite the payment, prompting her to lodge a police report at the Pandan
02:46Inda police station on April 29th.
02:49Chong advised homeowners to exercise caution when renting out properties.
02:54He said landlords should verify tenants' identities, keep proper records and ensure a formal tenancy agreement is signed.
03:01Every time we remind the owner, if you rent your premises to the tenant, please do it properly, in a
03:13proper manner.
03:16Transfer the name, whatever to do, you have to do it.
03:20Chong added that proper documentation could help protect landlords if tenants become involved in criminal activity or illegal borrowing.
03:28All right.
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