Housing Jargon

[movingtosin]

We are moving to Sin in a few months time and I was looking at a few housing sites to see what is availible.  I was wondering if somebody could decipher some terms for me.  If I am looking at number of bedrooms what does 3+1 mean? (Obviously not 4).

Also coming from Sydney most homes have internal laundries.  Where is the washing machine, tumble dryer etc kept in the average sin condo?

[Junebug]

It means 3 bedrooms plus 1 maidsroom. The maids bedroom is generally very small and without airconditioning.

Washer and dryer (if already installed) are generally in the kitchen. Most condos have a washing mashine - the dryer is not necesarily furnished.

[This message has been edited by Junebug (edited 31-05-2001).]

[Mum]

Most of the condos we looked at had the washer and dryer in a separate yard area at the back of the kitchen.

[TJ]

Also moving to Singapore soon but from Melb.

What I have managed to decipher to date...

The +1 generally means a maids room.  If we had a similar room in Australia we would call it a store room.  Its about the size of one.

Most places tend to be either fully or partially furnished.  From what I have gathered, unfurnished means there is nothing including no kitchen cabinets, no stove, etc.  Partially furnished means it is inclusive of whitegoods  (Fridge, washing machine, Stove/cooker etc not necessarily a dryer).  Fully furnished speaks for itself.

If rental is under sg$2500/mth then the agent will expect you to pay 1/2 mth rent in fees.  This seemed weird to me.

1+1 lease means 1 year at a fixed price, with the option of another year based on new negotiation on rent after the first year.

2 yrs lease, (Diplomatic Clause) is a 2 year lease.  If for some reason you have to leave the country (personal choice or not) then you can get out of lease after giving 2 months notice after the first year.

Unless you have lived in Singapore, it is quite difficult to get an understanding of accommodation, location etc, etc... Especially without seeing the place in person.

[movingtosin]

Thanks Guys,  One more question.  What is an attached bathroom?

[Lyn]

Attached bathroom means the bathroom is in the bedroom; so you don't have to walk out of your bedroom to the bathroom.

[headphones]

think en suite

[Ensuite]

The funny thing about all the condos we saw was the ensuite is the main bathroom by Aussie definition ie bath, shower and loo and large whereas the main bathroom is the shower and toilet type. The maids room we have is store room size and infact ours is about 2m by 1.6m from memory...trying to find a bed to fit and other furniture and still open the door must be difficult! Condos CAN come with pools, playgrounds(usually jungle gym type), saunas, gyms, squash courts and tennis courts. Our comes with a pool and gym. Try emailing a real estate person before coming..we did this and she shortlisted so that on our first day looking we found the place we wanted and went out the next day just to compare. All in all we saw only about 10 properties but we had been definite about what we wanted and what facilities we wanted and what we wanted to be near too. Good Luck! I think you'll enjoy it here!!