What rights does a landlord have if a tenant fails to sign the tenancy agreement

Short answer: If the tenant has not signed the tenancy agreement, there is generally no binding tenancy yet—so the landlord’s rights depend on what was agreed earlier (for example, in a Letter of Intent) and whether any monies were paid or keys handed over.

What a landlord can do in common Singapore scenarios
- If there was only discussion but no signed Letter of Intent and no deposit paid: The landlord can walk away and rent to someone else. There is usually no contract to enforce.
- If a Letter of Intent (LOI) was signed and a good-faith/booking deposit was paid but the tenant now refuses to sign:
- The landlord can typically forfeit the booking deposit if the LOI clearly states that the tenant must proceed to sign the tenancy agreement on agreed terms and that refusal amounts to tenant’s default.
- The landlord can decline to proceed and re-market the unit.
- If an Option to Lease was granted on stated terms and tenant fails to exercise or proceed: The landlord can treat it as lapsed/default per the option terms and keep the option fee if the document allows, then re-market the unit.
- If keys were already handed over or the tenant has moved in despite no signed agreement: A tenancy at will or periodic tenancy may be implied by conduct. The landlord can demand rent at the agreed or market rate, issue a formal notice to regularise or vacate, and if unpaid/overstayed, pursue recovery, termination, and possession via the Small Claims Tribunals or court, depending on the facts.
- If an agent was engaged: The landlord may still be liable for agreed agent commission if the LOI was accepted and the failure to sign is not due to landlord’s default. Check your agency agreement.

Practical steps for landlords
1. Check the documents: Review the LOI/option email trail, any receipts, and clauses on forfeiture if the tenant doesn’t sign by a deadline.
2. Set a clear deadline in writing: Give the tenant a short, dated ultimatum to sign and pay balance sums, failing which the deposit will be forfeited and the unit re-listed.
3. Forfeit deposit if contractually allowed: If the LOI/option terms provide for forfeiture upon the tenant’s failure to proceed, forfeit and document the basis.
4. Re-market promptly: Minimise vacancy by relisting once the deadline passes.
5. If possession was already given without a signed TA:
- Issue a notice of breach and demand immediate execution of the TA and payment.
- If unpaid or non-compliant, issue a termination notice per the agreed terms or on reasonable notice and apply for possession through the Small Claims Tribunals or court if needed.
6. Keep everything in writing: Notices, deadlines, and decisions should be clearly documented.
7. Seek legal advice for substantial sums or complex facts: Especially where large deposits are involved, there are side letters, or the tenant is already in occupation.

How to prevent this in future
- Use a robust LOI with clear deadlines, required documents, and a forfeiture clause if the tenant fails to sign the TA.
- Collect a meaningful booking deposit only after LOI acceptance, and avoid handing over keys before the TA is fully executed and initial payments cleared.
- Set signing and move-in dates in the LOI and state that failure to sign by the deadline is tenant default.
- Verify tenant profile and readiness to proceed before issuing an option or holding the unit.

If you share your specific situation (LOI signed? deposit paid? keys handed over?), I can suggest the most appropriate next steps under Singapore practice.