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Landlord Dispute

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skooch
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Landlord Dispute

Post by skooch » Mon, 25 Sep 2023 9:00 am

Hi All,
I moved to a landed property about 1.5 years ago. Three weeks after we moved in, the landlord sold the property. As we had a two-year lease, we were not concerned. The new landlord came to meet us and let us know that they would like to move into the property as soon as possible. As we had just moved in, we advised that we would keep an eye out and if we found something suitable, we would discuss it with them. We empathised that they bought this as a family home and were misled by the agent that we were moving out.
Since that day, the landlord has continuously asked if we have found anything and also would send us property listings. Since Jan this year, they have contacted us no less than 6 times. Well, we have now found a place, immediately let them know, but now they are asking us to compensate them for early departure. We are only moving because they asked us. In addition, they have throughout the tenancy refused to undertake any repairs as they plan to refurbish when they move in. They have not even updated the electrics despite an official requirement to do so.

I wanted to ask here if I have any leg to stand on legally. I just want out but don't want to have to pay them to leave when this was all triggered by them. In addition, in our lease it states that we are allowed to live peacefully without hassle from the landlord. Any advise is appreciated.

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abbby
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Re: Landlord Dispute

Post by abbby » Mon, 25 Sep 2023 4:05 pm

Do you mean the new owner has asked you to move out during your lease period?

What were your terms regarding sale of property in your tenancy agreement? Most tenancy agreements would be sale with tenancy which means the owner has to accept the lease when purchasing the house. If it's sale with tenancy then you have the right to stay till end of your lease.

It sounds bizzare the owner is asking you to move and yet seeking compensation. Makes no sense.
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sundaymorningstaple
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Re: Landlord Dispute

Post by sundaymorningstaple » Mon, 25 Sep 2023 10:27 pm

abbby wrote:
Mon, 25 Sep 2023 4:05 pm

It sounds bizzare the owner is asking you to move and yet seeking compensation. Makes no sense.
And another renter get their first lesson in Renting in Asia and Singapore in particular. From the OP's posts, it appear nothing regarding the desires and methods with regards to the vacating of the premises has ever been laid down in writing. If this is true, all that is verbal unless timely recorded with both parties on the recording showing requests, understanding and approval given by the renter to the landlord and acceptance of same by both parties, I'm afraid there is not too much you can do with a he said we said scenario without any way to document the requests. You can try the SCT and hope they will give credence to your claims but without proof the LL can just call you a liar, for lack of better wording.
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers

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malcontent
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Re: Landlord Dispute

Post by malcontent » Tue, 26 Sep 2023 1:06 am

skooch wrote:
Mon, 25 Sep 2023 9:00 am
Hi All,
I moved to a landed property about 1.5 years ago. Three weeks after we moved in, the landlord sold the property. As we had a two-year lease, we were not concerned. The new landlord came to meet us and let us know that they would like to move into the property as soon as possible. As we had just moved in, we advised that we would keep an eye out and if we found something suitable, we would discuss it with them. We empathised that they bought this as a family home and were misled by the agent that we were moving out.
Since that day, the landlord has continuously asked if we have found anything and also would send us property listings. Since Jan this year, they have contacted us no less than 6 times. Well, we have now found a place, immediately let them know, but now they are asking us to compensate them for early departure. We are only moving because they asked us. In addition, they have throughout the tenancy refused to undertake any repairs as they plan to refurbish when they move in. They have not even updated the electrics despite an official requirement to do so.

I wanted to ask here if I have any leg to stand on legally. I just want out but don't want to have to pay them to leave when this was all triggered by them. In addition, in our lease it states that we are allowed to live peacefully without hassle from the landlord. Any advise is appreciated.
Here is my take, FWIW.

This type of gamesmanship is part of the culture. Clearly, they think they have the upper hand over you and can use the situation to their advantage.

I would them you’ll stay. And, if you boneheadedly told them you’ve already signed another lease… tell them you’ve spoken to the new landlord and they’ll let you back out, no problem. I am 99% sure they will have a sudden change of heart. Next time, never sign a new lease until the old one is settled. Also, try all ways and means to put any deposit they owe you toward the remaining rent… and please, don’t be so straightforward about it — they clearly see you as someone who plays by the rules and is easy to take advantage of. Now you need to use that innocence and seeming sincerity to your advantage. Don’t be worried about legal, even when you win a legal battle here, you still lose big on lawyer fees. Nobody wants to spend that for a paltry win, unless it’s for ego or to save face.
It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows - Epictetus

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PNGMK
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Re: Landlord Dispute

Post by PNGMK » Tue, 26 Sep 2023 11:58 am

In retrospect you should have offered to cancel the lease for compensation (such as moving costs and agent fees for the new lease). I'd tell them the new property is no longer available and you're staying for 6 more months unless the LL would like to pay cash for you to move out earlier.
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Lisafuller
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Re: Landlord Dispute

Post by Lisafuller » Wed, 27 Sep 2023 1:30 pm

abbby wrote:
Mon, 25 Sep 2023 4:05 pm
Do you mean the new owner has asked you to move out during your lease period?

What were your terms regarding sale of property in your tenancy agreement? Most tenancy agreements would be sale with tenancy which means the owner has to accept the lease when purchasing the house. If it's sale with tenancy then you have the right to stay till end of your lease.

It sounds bizzare the owner is asking you to move and yet seeking compensation. Makes no sense.
My thoughts, exactly, so odd! And the nerve of the owner to ask for compensation, despite being the one breaching the contract and inconveniencing the tenant is beyond me.

Lisafuller
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Re: Landlord Dispute

Post by Lisafuller » Wed, 27 Sep 2023 1:32 pm

sundaymorningstaple wrote:
Mon, 25 Sep 2023 10:27 pm
abbby wrote:
Mon, 25 Sep 2023 4:05 pm

It sounds bizzare the owner is asking you to move and yet seeking compensation. Makes no sense.
And another renter get their first lesson in Renting in Asia and Singapore in particular. From the OP's posts, it appear nothing regarding the desires and methods with regards to the vacating of the premises has ever been laid down in writing. If this is true, all that is verbal unless timely recorded with both parties on the recording showing requests, understanding and approval given by the renter to the landlord and acceptance of same by both parties, I'm afraid there is not too much you can do with a he said we said scenario without any way to document the requests. You can try the SCT and hope they will give credence to your claims but without proof the LL can just call you a liar, for lack of better wording.
The way I see it there are two other options, the first is that OP can simply move out and refuse to pay any fees to the landlord, or OP can choose to stay, since he is technically not in violation of his lease.

Lisafuller
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Re: Landlord Dispute

Post by Lisafuller » Wed, 27 Sep 2023 1:33 pm

PNGMK wrote:
Tue, 26 Sep 2023 11:58 am
In retrospect you should have offered to cancel the lease for compensation (such as moving costs and agent fees for the new lease). I'd tell them the new property is no longer available and you're staying for 6 more months unless the LL would like to pay cash for you to move out earlier.
Hindsight is 20/20.

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