thanks.

[HB32]

thanks.

[nushk]

CURRENT SITUATION
A year on my hubby has no jobs in sight despite applying full time (he's in banking) and we are really struggling with the rent.
So much cash is taken by the monthly rent that we're putting things on credit card and accruing a huge dept, we need to get out of the lease.
Diplomatic clause not an option because I still have a job and we want to stay here for time being, and because they made us put my hubby's name on the lease telling us it had to be there in order to get a mobile phone. So we're stuck on that clause though he has never had a job here.

just to clarify, does it mean that the lease is signed under both you and your husband's name? therefore, you cannot use the diplomatic clause as you still have a job?

if the lease is under both your names, then I think there's really no way out, except, to speak to your landlord personally, and tell him honestly of your situation. I assume this is a two year rent. tell him with all honesty and sincerity that your husband is still out of job, and you are both struggling to keep up with rent, and hey, even show your credit card/bank debts just to keep up with rent.

some landlords are real assholes, as are some people in this world. but you never know until you try - your landlord might soften seeing how you both are really struggling. and there really isn't any other option, especially because you are planning to stay on in singapore. if you both are planning to leave singapore and never coming back here, and really can't get a job here, then I'd say the option of just leaving, forfeiting the two months deposit and go, isn't too bad an idea (what else can be done I wonder?)

but still, better to speak to landlord. the agent may be all scummy, but the landlord might be a decent person.

good luck.. but you do know that you both did sign on to the contract a year ago. I know prices were ridiculous then (I know first hand..), but you both could have 'down-graded' and get a more basic apartment, even a HDB one, instead of locking yourselves into a nicer apt which might be difficult to finance.

I hope it gets better for you soon!

[HB32]

thanks!

[jpatokal]

if anyone knows a legal council who could advise grateful if you could advise... thanks!

Sorry, what exactly are you hoping to achieve by throwing money at a lawyer? The facts here are black and white: The landlord's done nothing wrong, you willingly signed a contract, and now you want to break it. Your only options are:

a) talk to your landlord and try to solve it amicably by explaining your situation and asking for reduced rent, finding somebody to transfer the apt to, etc

b) intentionally break your contract, in which case it's up to the landlord how hard they want to come after you -- and they can sue for you a year's rental plus damaged if they're in a pissy mood

Since you can't escape b's consequences by running away from Singapore entirely and permanently, it should be pretty obvious which of these two is the better course to take.

[HB32]

Seems a pretty harsh response from a moderator. Not everyone here wants to break laws or run out on leases but sometimes people do have trouble in real life. The request for a legal advise line was to bettter understand my contract, not to take legal action. Sometimes people assume that they will get jobs within a year and due to a huge global recession it doesn't happen. Maybe some day you will find yourself in a similar situation.

[sundaymorningstaple]

And maybe, we have already had similar experiences. Ever think about that? And to spit your dummy and delete your posts, well, that tells us a lot more about you as well doesn't it.

[HB32]

I came here looking for some honest advice - this seems pretty abusive.

[sundaymorningstaple]

I came here looking for some honest advice - this seems pretty abusive.

And you got honest answers. And were able to save some money by not throwing it at a lawyer. I'm sure you are a good person, but what JP told you was a straight answer. You would rather he just commiserated with you?

I'm not sure why you would come to Singapore "on the hope of your husband finding a job" and being so optimistic that you would sign a lease in the first place that was based on a hunch.

It not abusive, it's telling it like it is.

[nushk]

HB32,
IMO some of the regulars here can be *very frank (euphemism), but if you take a couple of deep breaths, calm down and try to ignore their apparent rudeness/abusiveness, you will find that what they say do make sense.

my first reply to you was a very long roundabout answer to your question and I tried to soften what is inevitable - that you have no other recourse, other than to try to negotiate with your landlord. we all know what you and your husband have done last year when the contract was signed was foolish, but we all make mistakes, and have different prudence level when it comes to money, so I'm not going to go on about it. but, whatever the circumstances/reasons may be, the contract was signed. there really isi no way out of it, even if you get a lawyer.

it's not a joke when people say singapore favours landlords. I got into some trouble myself re: rent of an apartment when I was not even in the wrong - and lost some money. but I took note of that painful experience and I will always be reminded to be extra cautious making any decisions when it comes to landlords or agents for renting/buying.

I can only hope your landlord is human after all - I did not expect my current landlord to be nice, but he turned out to be quite understanding after all and was willing to negotiate our rent 10% lower than before, for the next 10 months (till our lease expire). 10% isn't great, as I could probably find a similar apartment cheaper than that, but it's close to the market rate and I'm grateful.

give it a try. hope it works out for you.

[HB32]

Nushk - Thank you for taking the time - a second time - to post a polite reply and I'll take your advice to heart. Yes, it was a gamble on my hubby finding a job, he hasn't and now we have to roll the dice for a second year. I'm only attempting to lower the odds this time.

What a pity the moderator - who is supposed to hold some responsibility on this site - finds it necessary to deliver the same message in such an abusive manner.

Thanks again.

HB

[sundaymorningstaple]

Sorry, but somehow, I find having to spoon feed adults on a forum somewhat silly. Especially considering that you would expect that the people on Expat Forums should be among the brightest as it's their talent that got them here.

Guess I was wrong in my expectations this time.......

[jpatokal]

What a pity the moderator - who is supposed to hold some responsibility on this site - finds it necessary to deliver the same message in such an abusive manner.

First, being "moderator" means I have the great, grand privilege of deleting penis extension spam and breaking up playground fights, in return for which I get zippo in pay. It has no bearing whatsoever on what I post in my personal capacity.

Second, just because I'm not saying what you want to hear doesn't make my advice "abusive". I'll ask again: what exactly are you hoping to achieve by throwing money at a lawyer? Some magic clause that lets you break your contract and get away scott-free?

But hey, it's a free country, so go ahead and hire that lawyer, I'll be happy to recommend some real estate specialists. Go for a consultation at S$400/hr, and then tell me if their advice is any different from what I told you for free out of the grandmotherly kindness of my heart.

[rluk]

You could just rent out a room or two if you have any spare. Lots of people do it.

[jpatokal]

You could just rent out a room or two if you have any spare. Lots of people do it.

This would almost certainly violate the terms of the lease.

[rluk]

Like I said, lots of people do it. What is the landlord going to do? Terminate the lease? Problem solved.