Some Landlords think that notice of termination must commence from the first of the month and if the Tenant gives notice on the 15^th of the month, for example, he must reside for the next half of the month or lose half the rental amount to be deducted from the security deposit. This is incorrect and wrong for the Landlord to do so.

In the premature termination of lease due to "diplomatic clause", the Tenant can give notice after the stated period of occupancy, usually 12 months by giving 2 months' notice or 2 months' rent in lieu. If the Tenant has stayed 14 months, he still has to give 2 months' notice or rent, not just say he has satisfied 14 months and therefore can go off.  Much depends on the tenancy contract's terms and conditions.

The date of notice NEED not be the first of the month. The 2 months' notice can commence from any day in the month. The e-mail below illustrates the common problem encountered by many Tenants.

E-MAIL QUERY TO ASIAHOMES.COM:

Dear Sir,
I got your e-mail address from the web. I have got a bit of a dispute with my landlord. I would be thankful to you if you could tell me what is right and what is wrong under rental protocol in Singapore. I wouldn't take your advice as binding or obligatory, but only as a guidance. 

I rented an apartment at the beginning of August '97. On last 15th I informed my landlord that I will be vacating on the 15th of September. He is contending that I have to complete the month of September or forfeit half the deposit. In our contract, there are three relevant places that say:

a) 30 days notice is required should either party decide to cease this tenancy
b) the rent is $4000 per month.
c) rental is to be paid monthly.

Do any of these imply that it is not possible to pay half a months rent and occupy the place for half a month as long as 'a' is satisfied?

Thank you

E-MAIL REPLY FROM ASIAHOMES.COM:
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 06:06:33 +0000
Organization: www.asiahomes.com. Asia USA Realty. AFFORDABLE Singapore homes for expats. drsing@asiahomes.com
Subject: Seeking advice

You are correct in that you have to give 30 days' notice. The notice commences from the date you give notice (which the Landlord does not dispute) and is not from the first day of the calendar month (which the Landlord interpreted).

This happens to some Tenants too especially in the pre-mature termination of lease using the "diplomatic clause". Unless the tenancy agreement states "calendar month", the 30 days notice is interpreted by the industry's practice as 30 days from date of notice.