Singapore Expats

Hi all,

I am going to be moving to start work in singapore at the start of November and am currently looking for a place to rent.

I want my own privacy so want a HDB whole unit, however I viewed one a few days ago and it was just a bedroom and a bathroom.

This might be a stupid question but should 2+1 or 3+1's all be equipped with kitchens/living rooms? I'm a bit confused about the room numbers and such??


Btw my budget is somewhere around S$1000-1500.

Thanks in advance!

Be careful, be very, very careful!

The only HDB 1 bedroom units available are not available on the open market as they are owned by HDB and are for rental directly to needy Singaporeans. If you are caught living in one you can be evicted unceremoniously and without notice. (usually sublet by unscrupulous locals who have managed to secure on and then moved back into another unit with their usually estranged families). In fact, I also know of locals here who have rented units out that they don't even own. I just had four Burmese nationals in my employ who were burned last month on a deposit that didn't materialize (the "agent" disappeared once the "cash" was obtained). Use only agents that are registered with a known group and ask to see identification. Also, ensure that the person you are dealing with "actually" owns the flat you are looking at or is the legal representative. Cavet Emptor.

uksparky wrote:Hi all,

I am going to be moving to start work in singapore at the start of November and am currently looking for a place to rent.

I want my own privacy so want a HDB whole unit, however I viewed one a few days ago and it was just a bedroom and a bathroom.

This might be a stupid question but should 2+1 or 3+1's all be equipped with kitchens/living rooms? I'm a bit confused about the room numbers and such??


Btw my budget is somewhere around S$1000-1500.

Thanks in advance!

You should be able to manage a 2+1 (meaning 2 bedrooms plus 1 living room) as that's all you would need, well within your budget.

Following from the good advice from "sundaymorningstaple" on dealing only with the legitimate landlord, you should also ensure that the landlord has got an official approval from the HDB authority for subletting.

Not sure you'll be able to get a decent location for $1000-$1500--HDB prices are CRAZY right now. Even a 2+1 in a good location (near an MRT, shopping, bus line) is going for over $2000.

But I would certainly echo what everyone else has mentioned--make sure you deal with a reputable firm and meet the actual owner. I also got a letter from HDB office which says my landlady has the "official approval" from HDB to rent the unit. Just in case any strange enforcement guy shows up at my door I've got it handy!

the term for HDB and pte housing defer.. but ppty agent wld know best. from wat i understand.
a 3 room flat in hdb means 2 bed room and 1 living and 1 kitchen.
a 3 in pte housing means 3 bedroom, 1 living, 1 dining and 1 kitchen
a 3+1 in pte housing means 3 bedroom+ 1 study, 1 living, 1 dining and 1 kitchen

take your time, dont rush into commitments.

I'm not sure why HDB rentals are as high as they are. When I moved house in March the rentals for HDB flats and condo's in the same area were about $500 a month in price difference. Just stupid.

Condo rents are coming down now, but HDB rentals are still hanging on for grim death. I would strongly suggest you rent a place through JTC. Follow this link:

http://www.jtc.gov.sg/products/readybui ... index.aspx

As already pointed out, owners need permission to rent their flats out. You're better off going to the source, I reckon. You're also much more likely to get a realistic rental. Good luck.

i too can't figure out the HDB prices !

maybe HDB owners don't watch stockmarkets!

also - does anyone know of a forum or way to rent directly from LL s
seems a shame to pay middlemen in this internet age - but every ad i see is from an agent.

Check out craigslist.com. There are several places now listed at under $2k. HDB prices will hang on as long as condo prices are so crazy.

Prices are a chicken and egg thing. My HDB flat (seriously) rivals some condo's I've looked at. It's been renovated last year, has two bathrooms and two berooms, and is a BARGAIN for Singapore. I can't imagine paying double for a condo.

tks boffen
will chck out
cheers

try this website .... http://www.flatsdb.com/

The local paper classifieds is usually a good bet for finding flat rentals. Its listed by estates within Singapore.

Its true about some 'Con' jobs around with regards to rental. a 2 + 1 HDB in the suburbs should not cost more than 1.5 to 1.7 K SGD .... as it is ... prices might dip in the next few months .... we shall see

...... as more people are cautious about the impending global recession .... more are prudent on spending ,hence fewer choose to go for condos and go for HDBs instead , hence ..... keeping the HDB prices stable due to increased demand ....