Singapore Expats

I have recently lost my job. I have informed my landlord around 75 days (more than 2 months) about my situation, and that I will be breaking the lease. I have requested that she should use my deposit as my last month's rent, but she has refused unless I find a replacement for my lease. What rights do I have as a tenant?

There are no diplomatic clauses in my contract. I can send a copy to anyone who is interested to take a look and help. I cannot ask my agent because they are friends (I even once caught the agent taking a shower in my unit's common bathroom). Thank you very much.

kclarins wrote:I have recently lost my job. I have informed my landlord around 75 days (more than 2 months) about my situation, and that I will be breaking the lease. I have requested that she should use my deposit as my last month's rent, but she has refused unless I find a replacement for my lease. What rights do I have as a tenant?

There are no diplomatic clauses in my contract. I can send a copy to anyone who is interested to take a look and help. I cannot ask my agent because they are friends (I even once caught the agent taking a shower in my unit's common bathroom). Thank you very much.

You have no rights that are not explicitly spelled out in your tenancy agreement.

All you can do is find another job quick or leave the country (and your deposit) behind... even that is tricky as technically you are on the hook for the remainder of the lease.

What's your current residency status in Singapore?

ludwig12 wrote:What's your current residency status in Singapore?

Currently on EP. Landlord is the same.

kclarins wrote:

ludwig12 wrote:What's your current residency status in Singapore?

Currently on EP. Landlord is the same.

EP landlord? I don't believe that's legal. One has to be PR or citizen and even with PR, there are a lot of caveats.

nakatago wrote:

kclarins wrote:

ludwig12 wrote:What's your current residency status in Singapore?

Currently on EP. Landlord is the same.

EP landlord? I don't believe that's legal. One has to be PR or citizen and even with PR, there are a lot of caveats.

Does your NRIC change if you have been converted to PR? His NRIC number starts with G.

G means he's either on an EP/S or WP. Not a PR. PR starts with the letter 'S".

Good possibility that he's doing a illegal unless he's got permission from the landlord. However, I believe that IRAS might be interested to learn that he's has a sideline income that I doubt seriously, he's reporting to them. Also, MOM might be interested if he's running a commerical rental business as he's not allow to run a unregistered lodging rental business while on an employment visa. Might be worth dropping a hint to him about these things (not a threat, mind you... )

sundaymorningstaple wrote:G means he's either on an EP/S or WP. Not a PR. PR starts with the letter 'S".

Good possibility that he's doing a illegal unless he's got permission from the landlord. However, I believe that IRAS might be interested to learn that he's has a sideline income that I doubt seriously, he's reporting to them. Also, MOM might be interested if he's running a commerical rental business as he's not allow to run a unregistered lodging rental business while on an employment visa. Might be worth dropping a hint to him about these things (not a threat, mind you... )

Thanks. We are set to have a discussion on the weekend. I also noticed that he goes back to his home destination every so often, probably to renew his entry stamp to Singapore?

If he does have permission from the landlord, can I ask for proof? The contract isn't even stamped.

kclarins wrote: Thanks. We are set to have a discussion on the weekend. I also noticed that he goes back to his home destination every so often, probably to renew his entry stamp to Singapore?

If he does have permission from the landlord, can I ask for proof? The contract isn't even stamped.

High chance he is doing illegal stuff as contract is not stamped which make your TA not legalised.

therat wrote:

kclarins wrote: Thanks. We are set to have a discussion on the weekend. I also noticed that he goes back to his home destination every so often, probably to renew his entry stamp to Singapore?

If he does have permission from the landlord, can I ask for proof? The contract isn't even stamped.

High chance he is doing illegal stuff as contract is not stamped which make your TA not legalised.

^^ This.

If he has a G FIN number, he wouldn't need to go back home to renew as it's an employment visa (I'm assuming he is working).

sundaymorningstaple wrote:

therat wrote:

kclarins wrote: Thanks. We are set to have a discussion on the weekend. I also noticed that he goes back to his home destination every so often, probably to renew his entry stamp to Singapore?

If he does have permission from the landlord, can I ask for proof? The contract isn't even stamped.

High chance he is doing illegal stuff as contract is not stamped which make your TA not legalised.

^^ This.

If he has a G FIN number, he wouldn't need to go back home to renew as it's an employment visa (I'm assuming he is working).

From what I gather, he's supposed to be a student. Got feedback from flatmates that he doesn't have a job now.

Then I'd say you have pretty much got him by the short hairs.

i think the OP should man up.

i know plenty of foreigners on student/work passes who sublet... or enter into an informal "shared" rental arrangement.

let's assume the OP has no contract, but he still entered into a similar arrangement and because he lost his job and he's figured a way to twist the main tenant's arm, he gets to get away without a penalty?

hmmm...

stamping a TA is usually the tenant's (in this case, the OP) responsibility. even if it's not stamped, it does not "nullify" the entire arrangement to an extent that it causes inequity...

taxico wrote:i think the OP should man up.

i know plenty of foreigners on student/work passes who sublet... or enter into an informal "shared" rental arrangement.

let's assume the OP has no contract, but he still entered into a similar arrangement and because he lost his job and he's figured a way to twist the main tenant's arm, he gets to get away without a penalty?

hmmm...

How would you define "informal"? My situation involves a signed contract, despite not having a stamp.

I have paid my rent and bills on time to the landlord. However, I see that there are always late charges on the bills, and it seems the landlord is not paying on time despite my and my flatmates being on time. Looks like landlord will pass on the late charges to us, and we will not stand for that.

With the bills not being paid on time, landlord looks like he has no money, and I have no assurance that I will get my deposit back unless I have it spent as my last month's rent.

Thanks for the feedback so far. I honestly do not want to twist anyone's arm, but I want to protect myself.