15th May 2014
An Article that appeared in BBC on May 1, 2014, which
happens to be the International Labor day titled, “'No Indians No PRCs': Singapore's rental discrimination problem”,
caught my attention. This also brings to the forefront a huge issue that needs
to be addressed, a need for a dwelling, a safe haven to come back to after a
hard day’s work.
Is this true? Are we not willing to provide homes for the
very people, whom we bring into our red dot to work for us? We must remember
that these are also the people who contribute towards our economy and the
development of our country and help make this little red dot of ours shine
brighter as Senior Minister LKY envisions it.Singapore is an ethnically diverse nation, consisting of 74% Chinese, 13% Malay, 9% Indian and 3% from other groups. However, as 90% of Singaporean households own their homes, a significant portion of renters are foreigners.
The emergence of anti-foreigner sentiments in Singapore has
become a major cause of concern, with the government constantly urging the
Singaporeans to welcome expatriates and to help them integrate into the
city-state's multi-cultural society.
Immigration has also become a sensitive issue, amid concern
over living costs and rising housing prices, which many locals blame on
foreigners.
Attitudes to race came to the fore in December, when
hundreds of foreign workers from India and South Asia rioted after an Indian
national was killed in a bus accident. This incident sparked a strong response
on social media - many made comments denouncing foreign workers, yet; many
others also spoke out against racism.
The housing scene is not a far cry from this kind of
prevalent sentiments.
Those who closely watch the real estate market know that
many online home rental websites and newspaper advertisements in Singapore
include the words "No Indians, no People's Republic of China (PRC)",
which is sometimes followed by the word "sorry", depicting the
increasing rental discrimination in the city.
The issue appears more common with less expensive properties
and on websites where content is posted directly by users, the Online Citizen
reported.The president of the Universal Society of Hinduism (USH), Rajan Zed, has called on Singapore's President Tony Tan and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to put an end to the discrimination, which is becoming a rising menace.
It was already quite challenging to find a home for Indians/
PRC’s, adding to this is the new NC subletting Quota Framework , which has been
incorporated in this year to prevent the formation of foreigner enclaves and
aims to maintain the Singapore character of our HDB heartlands while balancing
the housing and subletting needs of citizens and foreigners in Singapore. The
idea though quite noble has made it even more challenging to find a home for
foreigners, who make up around a third of Singapore's work force.
Is this a race
problem?
Singapore has a beautiful confluence of different races
co-habiting peacefully. The successful integration of the different segments of
society has created an atmosphere of mutual respect for one another. In
Singapore, it is not uncommon to find a mosque next to a temple, and marriages
between people of different faiths and ethnic groups reinforce our unique
social cohesion.
Problems faced for housing
Most Indian
/PRC expats find it difficult to find an accommodation in Singapore quickly
Some advertisements mention, ”No cooking”, Some landlords
also request for people to “Not Pray” as they are afraid of fire hazards caused
by lighting lamps/ incense sticks which could be misunderstood as religious
intolerance.
Finding a house could be a humbling experience for many. It
is not clear how many foreign workers have been affected. However, several
expatriates have described experiencing varying levels of discrimination.
Mathew Mathews, a senior research fellow at the Institute of
Policy Studies, says: "There are stereotypes that people have about
different immigrant groups and how responsible they are in terms of the upkeep
of a rented apartment".
Singapore's government places a strong emphasis on racial
& religious harmony. Studies suggest that there is relatively little racial
discrimination in the public sphere, but things can be different in private.Landlord’s take -'Cleanliness and culture'
Although it may appear as discrimination to the outside
world, most landlords don’t want to rent out to these expats not because of
discrimination but for economic reasons. The Landlords are more concerned with
the loss of commercial value to their properties.
Unlike the USA, where apartments are "corporate
owned", In Singapore, houses are owned by individuals and if tenants have
the right to choose where they would like to live, even landlords should have
the right to rent to whoever they choose.
A count on 24 April by BBC found that there were more than
160 housing adverts on a popular website that clearly stated that the landlord
did not wish to rent to Indians and/or mainland Chinese.
Charlene, an estate agent, said it was common for landlords to
prefer not to rent to tenants from India or mainland China because such tenants
"are not people who are house proud". There are also fears that these tenants will
illegally sublet to others, she said, adding: "Cleanliness and culture is
a very strong factor."
There are notions of which groups take care of their homes
better, and what cooking supposedly leaves permanent smells/stains in the
house. People have notions about what would devalue their property. Many of
these expats don't clean the houses regularly, and they do heavy cooking, so
dust and oil collect over the months and by the time the tenancy finishes this
gets to be a laborious cleaning chore which may have to be handled by
professional cleaners who are quite expensive to afford for a common man. The
Security deposits may not cover huge damages that the Landlord may have to
incur. Lack of maintenance and cleanliness cannot be labeled as wear and tear.
Sometimes the house deteriorates to a deplorable condition that it may not be
rentable unless it’s renovated. Not only does the landlord have to bear the
renovation expenses but also the loss of rent during the time that it is; ”not
rentable”. If these risks are covered, the landlord may not choose their
tenants based upon any race.
Eugene Tan, Associate Professor of Law at Singapore
Management University, says: "In the current state of ambivalence towards
immigration in Singapore, my sense is that race and country of origin have
taken on a stronger accent with regards to how landlords may view Indian/PRC
tenants."
Even if an Indian/PRC expat holds a British passport or any
other citizenship from a developed country they will still be viewed in the
same light.
TENANT’s woes
The Indian /China PRC’s, usually land up getting a poorly
maintained home with a non-co-operative landlord sometimes, who doesn’t want to
repair or replace anything that is problematic /sub-standard. The tenants then
worry about getting ripped off by their landlord when they move out for damages
they didn't cause or for things that were deteriorated or broken when they had
moved in. There’s a sentiment that, “IT (Information Technology) guys get paid
a lot so; they can afford to pay for any losses”.
Landlord’s must give the house to the tenants in a good
shape, take pictures of the home in the condition given in and ask the tenants
leave it in the same shape it was in upon move-in.
Tenant’s on the other hand instead of having a, “Sweep
something under the carpet attitude” should be honest and upfront in their
dealings and take care of the property with due diligence.
More problems could be solved if both the Landlords and
tenants are professional and maintain the house well.
WHAT DOES THE LAW SAY
Article 12 of Singapore's constitution says:
(1) All persons are equal before the law and entitled to the
equal protection of the law.
(2) Except as expressly authorized by this Constitution,
there shall be no discrimination against citizens of Singapore on the ground
only of religion, race, descent or place of birth in any law or in the
appointment to any office or employment under a public authority or in the
administration of any law relating to the acquisition, holding or disposition
of property or the establishing or carrying on of any trade, business,
profession, vocation or employment.
Experts say the article can be used by a citizen against the
state, but cannot be relied upon to seek legal redress against another
individual or legal entity.
The UN has noted that article 12(2) does not extend its
protection to “non-citizens” of Singapore.
LEGAL GAP
Of course, rental discrimination exists in many countries. A
BBC study in October found that several estate agencies in London would refuse
to rent to African-Caribbean people at the landlord's request.
However, while the UK has legislation banning discrimination
on ethnic or nationality grounds, covering situations including "buying or
renting property", Singapore offers fewer legal protections.
"There is no specific anti-discrimination law that can
be used by non-citizens," says Prof Tan.
"Even if there is an anti-discrimination law, there is
the challenge of proving discrimination… Indication of tenant preferences in
rental advertisements may not amount to discrimination."
Since it’s the person’s own house, his choices do come into
the picture.
In a statement, PropertyGuru said discrimination on the
basis of ethnicity or nationality was "absolutely not" allowed under
its guidelines.
"There is a whistle-blowing feature for viewers... to
report [content] that may be objectionable or derogatory," it said, and
objectionable statements would be removed.
Around 1% of listings on its site contained objectionable
content, it added.
CEA
The Council for Estate Agencies (CEA), a government body that regulates the real estate agency industry, has guidelines stating that agents should "advise their clients against placing advertisements that are discriminatory, offensive or stereotyped in nature against any particular race, religion or group in society".
In a statement, the CEA and the Ministry of National
Development said: "We do not condone racial discrimination. There are
advertising guidelines in place.
"Some landlords have explained that they face practical
considerations renting out their properties, leading to certain requirements in
rental transactions."
The statement added: "The Government will continue
educational efforts on the importance of mutual respect to preserve ethnic
harmony."
Prof Tan believes that the discrimination will reduce over
time. "With more apartments coming on stream in the next few years,
landlords cannot afford to be so choosey," he says.
Change is
Imperative
I believe that attitudes can be changed. The Government can
hold a Migrants Orientation Programme based on the lines of the Employers'
Orientation Programme conducted by the MOM, Singapore. New migrants can be
educated about the life in Singapore. They could be integrated better into the
society by educating them with the traffic rules, laws, cleanliness and housing
etiquettes here. Views may definitely change over the decades with these kinds
of actions in place.
As we continue to grow as a nation of immigrants, we need
to make an extraordinary effort to understand them in their full context. As a nation built on the sacrifices of many
different immigrant groups we must bear in mind that while the faces of
immigrants have changed, their pioneering spirit, courage, determination,
ability to thrive, and dreams of securing a better future for their children
remain the same.
I would like to end this on an optimistic note with this
wonderful quotation by noted author & poet; Maya Angelou — 'The ache for
home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be
questioned.'
Some Info courtesy: BBC & TOI
