Room hunted

After 2 weeks of room hunting, I have finally found something that I like! Unfortunately, I found this room through a housing agent (who happens to be the nephew of my future landlord) so it really pains me that half a cool month's rent will be flushed down the drain as agent commission. Oh well, at least the agent was patient and didn't try to coerce me into the deal (like what some of the other stinky agents did).

So what's the deal? The new room is a part of a 4-room flat strategically located in none other than P's block. It's on the 18th floor, which means I can "look down" (literally speaking) on P. My new landlord is a 56 year old man, born on the 18 December 1952 (just a year younger than my parents) and he works for Rolex. Needless to say, I've already asked him if I can get a discount and he said yes (hee!). I don't know him that well yet so I can't say much but he seems like an easy-going, jolly and happy-go-lucky guy. Kinda reminds me of my own uncle :)

The room itself is simple and clean. Once furnished, there'll be a super single divan bed, TV console and a comfy couch (courtesy from Pee Pee). I can't wait! The landlord has a cleaner come in once a week, which means I don't have to do any housework (hooray!) and I have exclusive use of the common toilet. Downsides? The landlord smokes (he claims 2-3 sticks per night) and every Sat is mahjong day. Oh well, got to learn to live with the inconveniences, can't have everything perfect I realised!

Of course, I had my choices of rooms. Lotsa nice and not-so-nice ones, depending on one's budget. I called up plenty of agents and house owners but I just couldn't find something suitable during the past 2 weeks! Here's an excerpt of a telephone conversation I had with one particular owner who had a room for rent.

Desperate room seeker ("DRS") : Hello, do you have a room for rent?
House owner: Yes!
DRS: May I know who's staying in the house currently?
House owner: Me, my wife, my 2 children, my mother and my sister.
DRS: ..........

I also went to view another flat occupied by a middle-age lady, her mom (lady and mom in master room) and a maid.

Room seeker: Who will I be sharing the toilet with?
House owner: All of us will use the outside toilet to bathe in as we wanna keep the master bathroom dry.
Room seeker: ...........

Gonna start packing my stuff this weekend!