Renting in Singapore

[Carmen Miranda]

Ho Way Hose (or is that Jose?!), it will be nigh impossible to find a decent bungalow (detached with garden) for 10k. Have you considered a small black and white?

[made in sg]

No way is the East Coast remotely upmarket. Landlords there are asking top dollar for the first time ever, but it is really not a top area, despite the East coast Park and the proximity to Changi. The top area is still the Holland vicinity (forget HV, it is a bohemian enclave, but it is not posh. It's the GCB areas like Leedon, Bin Tong, Victoria that are the ultimate, along with Chatsworth and some parts of Cluny and Tanglin

I'm not saying that Siglap is at the top end of the scale, at least not like the GCB areas that you have listed below.  All I'm saying is that Siglap is not doable at 3K while other Eastern or Northern areas should be highly possible if looking for an older Semi-D or inter-terrace.

[cmdsea]

I was house hunting in Siglap this weekend so "hot off the press"...

Cheapest inter terrace was asking $2.5k. Single storey, 2 bedroom, and house next door being demolished and rebuilt. 40 years old and untouched in that time by either renovation contractor or mop and duster... truly awful.

Still original condition but larger 2 storey and 3 bedroom inter terrace and with bedroom AC and water heater for showers asking around $3.5k.

A single storey semi-D only 3 bedrooms but nicely renovated and pleasant garden was asking $4k

These are all Opera Estate (cheaper than the Frankel side of Siglap)and prices go up exponenitially from here...

[made in sg]

I was house hunting in Siglap this weekend so "hot off the press"...

Cheapest inter terrace was asking $2.5k. Single storey, 2 bedroom, and house next door being demolished and rebuilt. 40 years old and untouched in that time by either renovation contractor or mop and duster... truly awful.

Still original condition but larger 2 storey and 3 bedroom inter terrace and with bedroom AC and water heater for showers asking around $3.5k.

A single storey semi-D only 3 bedrooms but nicely renovated and pleasant garden was asking $4k

These are all Opera Estate (cheaper than the Frankel side of Siglap)and prices go up exponenitially from here...

sounds about right, go a little way further out and 3K should get a reasonably nice inter-terrace.  On a per square foot basis, landed is far cheaper than condos.

[Typical]

"Cheapest inter terrace was asking $2.5k. Single storey, 2 bedroom, and house next door being demolished and rebuilt. 40 years old and untouched in that time by either renovation contractor or mop and duster... truly awful."

It never fails to amaze me that landlords attempt to rent out these dumpers. Have they no shame? I hope you gave the agent some useful feedback?

[McHappyGuy]

"Cheapest inter terrace was asking $2.5k. Single storey, 2 bedroom, and house next door being demolished and rebuilt. 40 years old and untouched in that time by either renovation contractor or mop and duster... truly awful."

It never fails to amaze me that landlords attempt to rent out these dumpers. Have they no shame? I hope you gave the agent some useful feedback?

The agent is only a middle man, there is nothing much an agent can do.

[Disagree]

I disagree. The agent, providing he can extract his head out of the landlord's rear end, can inform the landlord that the property in question is unacceptable for rental in its existing state and needs maybe, oh, let's say, basic cleaning? A lick of cheap paint? Of course, even that would still probably not do the trick, but it is a start in educating these people. It is, quite frankly, an insult to be shown such a property by an agent.

[Uh Oh No]

I went to see a property on the East Coast that was going for $12k.  It was the most disgusting thing I had ever seen.  One of the current tenants had left dirty underwear lying on the floor, even though they knew the house was being viewed - and still the tattoo'd eyebrow, mercedes driving knicker owner looked at us as if her poo didn't stink - the stench in the house told me otherwise.  My son still maintains they were hiding a dead body in a cupboard in the living room!!!

How can people live like that?  I wouldn't have the brass neck to let someone see my dirty knickers lying around even if I was the sort of person to just chuck them on the floor (I'm not!)

The agent was engaged by the landlord (not working for me) and I told him (in no uncertain terms) what I thought about the property and the incumbent tenants.  Wonder if they ever managed to rent it out?

[qqqqqqq]

I went to see a property on the East Coast that was going for $12k.  It was the most disgusting thing I had ever seen.  One of the current tenants had left dirty underwear lying on the floor, even though they knew the house was being viewed - and still the tattoo'd eyebrow, mercedes driving knicker owner looked at us as if her poo didn't stink - the stench in the house told me otherwise.  My son still maintains they were hiding a dead body in a cupboard in the living room!!!

How can people live like that?  I wouldn't have the brass neck to let someone see my dirty knickers lying around even if I was the sort of person to just chuck them on the floor (I'm not!)

The agent was engaged by the landlord (not working for me) and I told him (in no uncertain terms) what I thought about the property and the incumbent tenants.  Wonder if they ever managed to rent it out?

Who were the current tenants? Expats or locals?

[Uh Oh No]

I went to see a property on the East Coast that was going for $12k.  It was the most disgusting thing I had ever seen.  One of the current tenants had left dirty underwear lying on the floor, even though they knew the house was being viewed - and still the tattoo'd eyebrow, mercedes driving knicker owner looked at us as if her poo didn't stink - the stench in the house told me otherwise.  My son still maintains they were hiding a dead body in a cupboard in the living room!!!

How can people live like that?  I wouldn't have the brass neck to let someone see my dirty knickers lying around even if I was the sort of person to just chuck them on the floor (I'm not!)

The agent was engaged by the landlord (not working for me) and I told him (in no uncertain terms) what I thought about the property and the incumbent tenants.  Wonder if they ever managed to rent it out?

Who were the current tenants? Expats or locals?

I didn't think it mattered too much to the point of my post, but since you ask, they were Singaporean Chinese, Landlord  was Singaporean Indian and agent was Singaporean Chinese.  I am expat. 

[papa-san]

I have lived in The Bayron for 6 years: 2 Bedrooms, open kitchen concept, ground floor w balcony/patio, 10yrs old but in excellent conditions. Got gym, sauna and swimming pool. Paid average 2.2K a month.
Location ? Devonshire Rd (Behind Somerset MRT/Singtel Building on Orchard Road).

Last August they upped the rent to 3.5K, I decided to move out as I am on local package.

But who says you still can't find good places for cheap ?? Even 3.5K is still cheap.

[Ex Real Estate]

If you want to find something around your price range I would suggest you be prepared to either spend some money painting, new curtains etc or look at alternative accommodation.  We rented a stand alone bungalow, 5 bed with study and out of ground pool for $8.5k in Coronation area 6 months ago.  The property is around 20 years old and we had to spend a few thousand to "brighten" it up.  As opposed to countries like Aust. tenants usually have to spend some money on the property instead of LLs.  This is difficult at first to get your head around but this is the way it is.

To the poster who described the "undies" tenant.  This is a very common ploy by tenants who do not wish to move.  When inspections are done the best way to put potential renters off is to leave the house in a revolting state.  They can then negotiate with the LL/agent by saying that no one wants to rent the property at the rate asked etc.  They are hoping for a cheaper rent and stay.

Singapore is not the only place asking for ridiculous amounts of rent for properties that are not up to the standard.  This is a universal problem but most of us have not experienced it in our own country due to the fact that we own.  There are also quite valid reasons for some LL's asking for high rents due to property evaluations from banks etc.  I worked in property management in Sydney and some LL's didn't need the money and didn't want their property to be "devalued" by lower rent.  That said we could easily rent an eastern suburbs property in Sydney for 1 quarter of the price we pay here BUT that is not the point is it?  We are here and have to adjust to the circumstances.  No point getting upset about it!

Unfortunately what some LL's don't realise is that if you do renovate your property and then ask for a "reasonable" rent you will benefit from a long term tenant and one who maintains the property with respect.  This has a long term monetary benefit rather than the "push the price as far as you can" attitude but not every LL believes this and may need to pay off a mortgage asap.  If you are prepared to see many properties and spend a lot of time looking I'm sure you will find something suitable.

[Holland Veeee]

What about Chip Bee Gardens? What are those places going for these days?

[Can't Get 'Em]

You simply can't get them these days. They are so many people with very low budgets.