Seeking Advice - Early Rental Contract Termination

[NeutronBoy]

Good day people

Need some advice from forumers here.

I am currently living in 3-bed room HDB sharing with my 2 fellows. We have the whole-flat contract which due in February next year. For some reasons, I have to move to another area by the end of August; therefore I need to terminate the contract earlier than it should be. However, my other 2 fellows will still be staying there.

I communicate the idea to the landlord; expressing my readiness to forfeited my one-month deposit. However, the landlord rejected the idea, and was telling me that it is a whole-flat agreement; should I want to move out, I still have to pay all the way to the end of the contract.

Is that true? Any institution here in Singapore that can provide an advice?

[riversandlakes]

do not understand. say your rental is S$1500 and it is currently split between three of your friends.

you are moving out, leaving the two friends. so, why do you need to talk to the landlady about this? are you trying to re-nego the S$1500?

i think the $1500 will have to be shared between your friends...

[NeutronBoy]

Yes, my other friends will still be staying there. So if the rental cost will still be split amongst my friends, who will responsible to looking for the replacement?

I have already tried my best in searching for a replacement, even enganging housing agents; however due to strict criteria given by the landlord (and the other tenants), I fail to find anybody.

Under worst scenario in which I could not find anybody until end of August, do I still need to pay until February 2006? If I were ready to forfeited my one-month deposit, will I be able to walk-away from the situation?

Appreciate if you guys can enlight me

[Harshaa]

neutronboy, where is your flat located? harsha

[NeutronBoy]

The flat is located at West Coast Rd around Ginza Plaza. Does it make any difference?

[Matney]

It would seem to me that you need to see if the friends are willing to share the rent between them both. The landlord really didn't need to be involved. Who rented the place--who's name is on the lease? That may be the answer.

[NeutronBoy]

It would seem to me that you need to see if the friends are willing to share the rent between them both. The landlord really didn't need to be involved. Who rented the place--who's name is on the lease? That may be the answer.

Matney, thanks for your advice. Sharing the flat rental cost between my flatmates is not a viable option as far as their concern. To make the matter worse, we put all of our name in the agreement. Therefore any decision to alter the agreement must be agreeable decision amongst tenants.

Furthermore, the landlord is verbally indicating that candidate for replacement should be subject to his approval. Given a short-balance of tenancy contract (left 6 months only) + several other restrictions make my searchings for replacement become insurmountable tasks

[Strong Eagle]

To make the matter worse, we put all of our name in the agreement. Therefore any decision to alter the agreement must be agreeable decision amongst tenants.

When multiple names are on a lease each name is "jointly and severably" liable. That means any and all are responsible for paying the rent, even if one does not want to.

Having owned rental property in the past I can tell you that good tenants make all the difference. It seems your landlord is trying to meet you half way by amending the lease to allow for a new party. I would want to make sure that the new party was a quality person, able to pay his share.