NEED ADVICE - EXPAT CONTRACT ENDED... WHAT DO I DO ABOUT MY TENANCY AGREEMENT?

In May 2010, I moved to Hong Kong to work on a project for an entertainment company... my contract was for 12 months.


In December 2010, my employment was terminated as the funding for my project was not being re-commissioned - the company was/is going through financial troubles. As a result I moved back to Australia.


When I arrived in Hong Kong in May '10, I signed a tenancy agreement for 12 months. My apartment is now unoccupied and the money I am spending on renting it is completely wasted and pointless.


As per my tenancy agreement, my landlord says that I CAN exit the contract providing I pay the rent up front for the remaining months on the contract. This is a substantial amount of money.


He is a caring man and has advised me that my employer should pay this bill as the termination of my employment contact was their decision...


There is no mention of rental arrangements in my employment contact...


What should I do?


I have researched high and low to find information on this but had no success.


If you have any advice... please let me know... much appreciated... xx

"As per my tenancy agreement, my landlord says that I CAN exit the contract providing I pay the rent up front for the remaining months on the contract."


And what's the point of exiting the contract if you pay the rent anyway????


You are basically obliged to pay the rent for a fixed contract and the options are to negotiate with landlord or to find someone to live in the flat and pay to you.

Unfortunately since there was no agreement with your employer regarding accommodation they have no obligation to compensate you. Unless of course the law in the country where the company is based somehow protects you.


I don't really see any other option but to pay the rent. Best case, you can sublet for a few months if your landlord lets you do so, but this would be hard to do from Australia, not to mention there being only 4-5 months left on your contract.