Ruco Chan sues landlord over nasty tenancy dispute
I discovered a loose board in the wooden floor and sent a video clip to the landlord. The board was jutting out and was very dangerous. I hoped he would fix it, but he continued to drag his feet and did not repair it. Ruco Chan, actor
HONG KONG: Actor Ruco Chan has sued his landlord over a tenancy dispute.
Ruco, who had been renting an 800- square-foot apartment in Tseung Kwan O for HK$ 30,000 ( RM15,600) per month, had been accused of moving out before the end of the two-year lease, destroying appliances and refusing to pay the rent for the final month.
Ruco, who has been promoting his new series Succession War, told newsmen who had asked about the dispute: “I discovered a loose board in the wooden floor and sent a video clip to the landlord. The board was jutting out and was very dangerous. I hoped he would fix it, but he continued to drag his feet and did not repair it.”
Ruco’s mother tripped on the board and had to be hospitalised.
Added an irate Ruco: “The landlord said he needs the key back. Since my mother couldn’t walk and is wheelchair bound, and I was not in Hong Kong, I left the key with my assistant to handle the matter.”
Since the landlord could not reach Ruco, he went straight to the press and accused Ruco of breaking the lease agreement.
Furious by the brouhaha, Ruco clarified that the dispute had been settled three months ago.
He added: “Is this happening only because I’m an entertainer? I work with cameras, even if I’m clueless about things, I know the basic responsibilities of a tenant. I’ve kept screenshots of our WhatsApp conversations, but I just thought this issue had been taken care of.”
Ruco proceeded to show a printed copy of his WhatsApp conversation.
Denying that his lease was for two years, Ruco said the agreement allowed him to move out within a year on condition that he gave a month’s notice. On the accusation that he had nailed down the air conditioner, Ruco’s eyebrows rose as he retorted: “Why would I do that? If I did, then both my hands will break!”
In fact, Ruco said he had spent money for repairs, including a paint job, the fuse box, and getting a new gas furnace. He had the receipts to prove this.
Added Ruco, whose lawyer is handling the dispute: “I, Ruco Chan, do not like to explain things in public. But I hope the media doesn’t interview my mom, who is in critical condition now.”