American man in Singapore who didn't pay rent for Kembangan house sues elderly landlords for wanting their property back

An American tenant named Anthony Thomas Price lost his legal battle against elderly landlords in Singapore after refusing to pay rent for their Kembangan property. Price's company, Noranth Ventures, had been paying half the security deposit and the May rent for the semi-detached house, but ceased payments starting in June while Price and his family remained living there.

District Judge Chiah Kok Khun ruled in favor of the landlords, ordering Noranth Ventures to return the property, pay over S$55,000, and cover double rent until the house was reclaimed. The judge cited Price's history of rental disputes, raising concerns about the use of low-capital companies to occupy homes and leave landlords chasing unpaid rent.

The two-year lease had been signed in April 2026, and Price had raised approximately 35 repair complaints during his tenancy. By June, the landlords had addressed 32 of these issues and arranged for a contractor to handle the remaining drainage concern. Price initially sought an emergency court order to halt the landlords' entry into the house, citing safety and living condition concerns.

However, the judge found that the tenancy agreement required rent to be paid on the first day of each month, and that the landlords could repossess the property if rent remained unpaid for seven days. The court dismissed Price's application and allowed the landlords' counterclaim. The judgment also referenced similar cases involving Price in 2024 and 2019, where rent payments stopped while he and his family continued occupying the properties.

The Kembangan case resulted in Noranth Ventures having to return the house and pay S$55,114.03 in unpaid rent, interest, deposit, utilities, agent commission refunds, legal fees, and other costs. The company must also pay S$15,000 per month in double rent from August 15, 2026, until the property is returned.