Can landlord suddenly increase rental rates?

• WHATODO

  12 Jul 07, 12:46

  
  
  A tenant and landlord signed a rental tenancy agreement on Feb 2007 for 2 years at $2,000 per month. Stamp Duty tax has also been issued.
  
  Suddenly, July 2007 landlord inform tenant that the rent rate will increase to $3,000 per month.
  
  Can the landlord do that, is there any law to protect the tenant?
• the Bear

  12 Jul 07, 12:48

  contract law... the landlord should not be able to do so because he's changing the terms of the agreed contract
• WHATODO

  12 Jul 07, 12:50

  Originally posted by the Bear:

  contract law... the landlord should not be able to do so because he's changing the terms of the agreed contract

  If the contract mentioned, 'landlord can terminate the contract given 2 months notice'. But tenant was not aware during signing. Is there any law protecting the tenant?
• the Bear

  12 Jul 07, 12:52

  you're supposed to read the contract before signing... so if that clause is in there, he's allowed to, even if the tenant was not 'aware'
  
  caveat emptor... you got to know what you're signing up for
  
  

  Originally posted by WHATODO:

  If the contract mentioned, 'landlord can terminate the contract given 2 months notice'. But tenant was not aware during signing. Is there any law protecting the tenant?

• <Precious>

  12 Jul 07, 12:58

  When the tenancy agreement was signed, it was for a 2-year period with a $2K rent payable by the tenant to the landlord. Unless, there is also another clause in this same agreement that provides for the landlord to adjust the rent payable at any time in his discretion, the landlord is strictly bound by the terms of that tenancy agreement for the 2-year period.
  
  As such, the landlord's subsequent rental revision to $3K will amount to a breach of contract and could be sued as such.
  
  However, there may be other details which may have to be evaluated before the entire matter could be more accurately assessed. PM me if you are interested to find out more!
  
  
• <Precious>

  12 Jul 07, 13:18

  Originally posted by WHATODO:

  If the contract mentioned, 'landlord can terminate the contract given 2 months notice'. But tenant was not aware during signing. Is there any law protecting the tenant?

  In the law of contract or Landlord/Tenant, there will be a balance of rights for either party so yes, there are laws protecting the tenant..... but the more important inquiry will be what are the interests of the tenant? Does the tenant want to have the contract rescinded or is the tenant interested to have the lease continue running and sue the landlord for a breach of contract?
  
  When the interest(s) of the tenant is/are determined, it is easier to assess what his avenues for remedy are.....
• Melvin Tan

  12 Jul 07, 18:27

  Hi,
  
  There should be a clause for option to renew but it is usually after a year.
  
  Please check your TA for more details. If your landlord breached the contract, yes, you can bring him to court.
  
  Regards
• crazy monkey

  12 Jul 07, 20:15

  Originally posted by Melvin Tan:

  Hi,
  
  There should be a clause for option to renew but it is usually after a year.
  
  Please check your TA for more details. If your landlord breached the contract, yes, you can bring him to court.
  
  Regards

  sue ppl need time and money. lawyers are bloodsuckers.
• WHATODO

  13 Jul 07, 10:55

  Originally posted by :

  In the law of contract or Landlord/Tenant, there will be a balance of rights for either party so yes, there are laws protecting the tenant..... but the more important inquiry will be what are the interests of the tenant? Does the tenant want to have the contract rescinded or is the tenant interested to have the lease continue running and sue the landlord for a breach of contract?
  
  When the interest(s) of the tenant is/are determined, it is easier to assess what his avenues for remedy are.....

  Thanks alot for your expert advice!
  
  For this case, tenant interested to have the lease continue running.
• de_middle

  13 Jul 07, 10:57

  change only when renewal time, other than that existing contract stands.
• shinta

  13 Jul 07, 11:04

  go legal aid bureau... but hor... dunno if its for everyone leh or for singaporeans only lol
• Melvin Tan

  13 Jul 07, 12:46

  Originally posted by crazy monkey:

  sue ppl need time and money. lawyers are bloodsuckers.

  While lawyers' fees may be exhorbitant, it is based on a market rate.
  
  I am not a lawyer and do not know if there are other avenues to seek redress in a more affordable way.
  
  Regards
• WHATODO

  13 Jul 07, 15:06

  Originally posted by :

  In the law of contract or Landlord/Tenant, there will be a balance of rights for either party so yes, there are laws protecting the tenant..... but the more important inquiry will be what are the interests of the tenant? Does the tenant want to have the contract rescinded or is the tenant interested to have the lease continue running and sue the landlord for a breach of contract?
  
  When the interest(s) of the tenant is/are determined, it is easier to assess what his avenues for remedy are.....

  This is what is currently stated in the contract:
  
  "The Landlord so thinks fit shall be at liberty to terminate the tenancy agreement at any one time by giving one month (1) notice to the Tenant verbally or in writing. The Landlord also undertakes to refund the TenantÂ’s security deposit on a pro-rata basis upon termination of the agreement, on the condition that all the outstanding bills are fully settled by the Tenant in respect of the demised premises."
  
  So can landlord terminate anytime?
• hisoka

  13 Jul 07, 15:12

  Originally posted by WHATODO:

  This is what is currently stated in the contract:
  
  "The Landlord so thinks fit shall be at liberty to terminate the tenancy agreement at any one time by giving one month (1) notice to the Tenant verbally or in writing. The Landlord also undertakes to refund the TenantÂ’s security deposit on a pro-rata basis upon termination of the agreement, on the condition that all the outstanding bills are fully settled by the Tenant in respect of the demised premises."
  
  So can landlord terminate anytime?

  
  like that then sign contract for what...