Singapore Expats

Hi all! I've been browsing these boards for info on apartments to rent, but everything is way out of my price range. I've heard of HDB's, and since I would like to save a sizable amount of money I've decided to go with those since all I can afford is $450/month for housing.

However I'd like to get some opinions on them first, to make sure they aren't "dubious".

I'm 25, single, gonna be working in Chinatown as an illustrator. Feedback would be much appreciated!

I don't think you can get a whole unit for $450, that sounds more like HDB flat sharing...maybe u can check out the classifieds more those willing to share..

I do believe HDB offers those with Low Income a certain type of HDB housing, you may also check with HDB.

Okay I'll check the classifieds. Thanks for the tip.

think the low income rental from HDB (government) is for singaporeans only.

For expat, the only way is to rent a room from the home owner, roughly in the range of SGD300-450 i guess.

hi, not all hdb flats can be rented out. the owner must get approval from the housing board before subletting out either the entire flat or just 1 or 2 rooms. so pls ask for the approval letter or call the housing board to check. if the flat is sublet out without approval and the authority found out about it, you might have to move out immediately and end up with no place to stay and who knows what will happen to your deposit.

HDB owners are allow to rent out a room/s as well as the owner is living in the same flat.

Should be able to get a decent master bedroom with $450

For that amount ,you can only get a HDB room.However, non aircon rooms go for as low as $300 but aircon ones, fetch at least$400.

You will be required to pay a 1st month's deposit. If you take a common room, you will have to share the bathroom with the family.But If you take a master bedroom, which you can get at $400-$450, you will have your personal bathroom.

One suggestion is also to look for rooms at the Yahoo Classifieds section in Singapore. You may find something that suits your budget.But try not to go for ads that are placed by agents cos you may have to pay them 50% of the rent.

Cheers

Just a room is fine since I'm single. Glad to hear my budget can fetch something comfortable, though the prospect of living in a 4x4 sq. meter room for a year is making me slightly anxious.

Anyway it's the company I'm working for that's making the arrangements so I'm sure they'll get all the HDB papers sorted out.

About agents, is that 50% of the rent as a finder's fee? Or monthly?

hi,
well.... i wouldnt mind an HDB flat as long as the company is good.... but i would want a room with an attached bath!!! (thats a MUST)
but since my office has totally left everything at my discretion... i think i will be able to do something concrete once i'm there... where u from btw??... i'm a chartered accountant and will be working for PwC Singapore.. what about u?

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Seems like the classified section for this forum is not really active.

Guess most people will have advertised in the local newspaper (THE STRAITIMES) or maybe the yahoo website.

There is a finder fees of 50% of rental amount, and this is a one time payment for 1yr of lease.

Eg. Renting a room for $400 monthly for a year.
U need upfront 1mth deposit ($400) , 1mth advance rental fee ($400) and finder's fee of $200.

Well,i rent a shared room in an HBD flat for $350 a month, i work offshore 9 months a year so anything bigger would be just waiste of money.
be carefull with the aircon thu,every month that i am in Sigapore on my time off the electric bill runs up to $500,most of which i have to pay coz the 2 flatmates don t use their aircons.

usmansaifi wrote:hi,
well.... i wouldnt mind an HDB flat as long as the company is good.... but i would want a room with an attached bath!!! (thats a MUST)
but since my office has totally left everything at my discretion... i think i will be able to do something concrete once i'm there... where u from btw??... i'm a chartered accountant and will be working for PwC Singapore.. what about u?

Hi,

Hi ..Any good news.. on your home search. I am a CA and will be shfting to India inabout 1 month. Any tips please?

Hi,

I am planing to stay in an HDB flat with my wife. am an Indian (Gujarati) from Mumbai. Can any one comment on the living conditions and neighbourhood as compared to Indain or Mumbai Standards. We are vegeterians and very friendsly persons.

Cartman!!

christoscy wrote:Well,i rent a shared room in an HBD flat for $350 a month, i work offshore 9 months a year so anything bigger would be just waiste of money.
be carefull with the aircon thu,every month that i am in Sigapore on my time off the electric bill runs up to $500,most of which i have to pay coz the 2 flatmates don t use their aircons.