any info on Expat COvid Relief with LL

[jboy165]

hello my wife and I need some help to figure out what we need to do during our covid situation and our lease agreement.

here is a little info on us first.

Myself, wife and daughter moved to singapore on job employment in April 2019, both received our employment passes. we signed 24 month lease through a property manager.
This Covid Situation has really put us in a bad spot and now I'm unemployed and my wives salary was cut tremendously.

Since We are both EP holders the government has not helped us financially whatsoever. we just had Baby a week ago, so now we have more financial hardship.

Our LL has not gave us any relief on rent or anything. plus we pay for Amenities in our building and they have been closed since March.
I don't believe we should be paying for something we are not able to use.

Im also told that some LL are getting relief from government under MSA rules till December (I could of read this wrong)


my questions are
Are we able to apply for any help or are there any legal action we can take against our LL?

My wife and I are considering using our Diplomatic Clause and want to know more information on that and how we can use it. Hence we ask our jobs to Transfer us back to the USA.

we are in dire need right now and need some legal advice to inform us of any rights we have right now during covid if any. So if anyone has any contacts for attorney advice we are happy to pay for it.

thank you

[PNGMK]

In short there is no help available for you and the govt is not pressing private LL to assist in the residential rental market.

As you have been there 12 months already you should be able to exercise your dip clause but honestly I am not sure I'd bother. I would stop paying rent NOW and simply plan to leave ASAP. Book a Mover in if you want to take anything otherwise leave it behind. Leave the keys with security and message your LL from the airport as you leave. It means losing your deposit and perhaps one months advance rent but there's no point waiting any longer. Get out before the flights completely stop (as they will as the US situation becomes worse). You're now in a completely unprecedented situation and you MUST look after yourself.

Don't bother wasting money on a solicitor (attorney). The TA's here are written not to help you. Secure the transfers, book the Movers and flights and just go. It's been done before, it's not criminal and no one will chase you down.

[TropicalExpat]

As PNGMK says there is no relief available to private accommodation landlords, just to commercial premises such as shops, restaurants etc.

Given the current situation, I would probably concur and say get out as soon as you can.

While you won't likely be pursued for any legal issues, you may (may) find it difficult to find accommodation if you return - but that's purely hypothetical at this point.