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There is no general rental law in Singapore - your relation to the landlord is governed only and entirely by the rental contract.

Since we don't know the rental contract, we of course cannot know what applies in your case.

In general, it is wise to find a mutually agreeable solution together with the landlord.

@beppi

The diplomatic clause in the rental agreement states that the deposit will be forfeited if I cannot fulfil 1 year of stay from Jan 2023. This was the new contract we signed by the end of the last year, but it’s the renewal of our contract. Isn’t there any benefit since I stayed at the same place for more than 3 years ?

As I wrote above: The contract is all you have.

If you wanted "benefits" for having stayed there before, you should have put them into the contract. But you signed as it is, signalling that you agree to its terms and conditions.

If you want to get an answer from a more authoritative source, you can submit the matter to the Small Claims Tribunal ().

Agreed with Beppi. You have two options.

Option 1: You know the landlord 3yrs now, try to have a common agreement outside of the contract to return either full deposit or keep 10-20% then return remaining.

Option 2: Go to small claims tribunal but looking at your above info, you will lose that appeal as landlord will show the contract and you have obligations to adhere it.

I would suggest go with option 1, but you didn’t mention why you suddenly want to move out. If your intention was to move out of the current rented place then you could have entered with a condition to give longer notice period sometime 2 months in advance so that landlord can have sufficient time to look for another tenant or would not have extended the contract as you know your contract period is for 1yr.

Diplomatic clause applies if due to some reason the foreign tenant lost his job and will have to leave the country after 30 days then show the documents then based on the contract landlord returns the deposit amount.

@beppi

Thanks for your suggestion. It is indeed valuable.

@surya2k

thanks Surya, I am actually notifying the landlord almost 2.5 months in advance and also indicated that my colleague can take over the place. But still the landlord denied. Btw I do not have any contact with landlord everything I hear is through agent.

I think the agent wants to help landlord to block your deposit so that landlord won’t pay the agent fees if they rent the unit to another new person.

Take this proof  in writing that you are requesting the agent, your friend can take over the place but still landlord or agent not agreeing and not returning the deposits. This proof will help if you reach small tribunal.

@surya2k

Thanks for the suggestion.