⚖️ 1️⃣ The Default Rule: You Are Bound by the TA
In Singapore, a tenancy agreement is a legally binding contract.
If you signed a one-year fixed lease with no diplomatic clause or early-termination clause, then:
You are contractually liable for rent until the end of the term — unless both parties mutually agree to an early termination.
The landlord is not legally obliged to release you early just because of discomfort (e.g. noise) unless the issue is severe enough to render the property uninhabitable, which is rare and difficult to prove.
This means that yes, by default you’re liable for:
The remaining 10–11 months of rent, unless released by landlord, and
Possibly the pro-rated agent commission (depending on what’s in your contract and who paid the agent’s fee).
???? 2️⃣ Practical Path: Negotiation is Key
That said, in practice, many landlords will negotiate an early termination if you can find a fair middle ground.
Here’s what you can propose:
Request an early release and offer to forfeit your 1-month deposit as compensation.
Offer to cover the agent’s commission that the landlord already paid (pro-rated if appropriate).
Help find a replacement tenant — this is often the most effective way to be released early without paying the full term. Once a new tenant is secured, the landlord’s loss is mitigated.
Landlords prefer minimizing vacancy rather than insisting on rent from a tenant who wants to leave, so a cooperative approach helps.
???? 3️⃣ About Agent Commission
Normally, the landlord pays the agent commission, unless otherwise stated.
If the lease ends early and the landlord must pay another commission for a new tenant, it’s reasonable (and common) for them to ask you to reimburse a pro-rated portion.
This is negotiable — it’s not automatically your legal obligation unless written in the TA.
???? 4️⃣ About “Noise” as a Reason for Early Termination
Unfortunately, general environmental or neighborhood noise (e.g. from nearby construction, neighbors, roads) is not a legal basis to void a tenancy in Singapore.
Only issues that make the flat unsafe or uninhabitable (e.g. structural hazard, severe flooding, landlord breach of essential repair obligations) could possibly justify early exit under contract law — and even then, it usually requires strong evidence.
If noise wasn’t disclosed or misrepresented by the landlord/agent (e.g. they said “quiet surroundings” knowing it was next to a construction site), you might try to argue misrepresentation, but that’s hard to prove and often not worth the cost.
✅ 5️⃣ Recommended Next Steps
Review your Tenancy Agreement (TA)
Check for: “Diplomatic Clause,” “Early Termination,” “Quiet Enjoyment,” and “Agent Commission” terms.
Document the noise (recordings, notes, any complaints made).
Politely discuss with landlord — explain your situation, propose options (e.g., forfeit deposit + cover part of commission).
Offer to help find replacement tenant — this often works best in practice.
Put any agreement in writing — to avoid later disputes.
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