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HDB Rental for EP pass holder

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manimaran.july1984
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HDB Rental for EP pass holder

Post by manimaran.july1984 » Tue, 20 Jan 2015 10:47 am

Hi,

I hold EP pass and I'm from India. I came to Singapore 6 months before. Till now I stayed as a Single in a Hostel. Now I planned to bring my family to Singapore. But I have only 5 months and 20 days of Validity on my current EP pass.

1) Will I be allowed to rent a Whole HDB ?

2) Also would like to know if there are any options to Rent a HDB only for 6 months as my stay in Singapore may end after 5 Months 20 days as I came to Singapore as a deputation for one year and my actual employment is in India. Although there is a possibility that I may have to stay here for one more year after that 5 Months 20 days period but at this point I don't have contract signed yet.

Appreciate your help.

Regards,
Mani

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zzm9980
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Re: HDB Rental for EP pass holder

Post by zzm9980 » Tue, 20 Jan 2015 11:28 am

You will probably have a hard (or expensive) time finding an HDB unit to rent for only 6 months.

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Re: HDB Rental for EP pass holder

Post by sundaymorningstaple » Tue, 20 Jan 2015 11:35 am

zzm9980 wrote:You will probably have a hard (or expensive) time finding an HDB unit to rent for only 6 months.
True. I have a feeling you will be having most trying to rent out for 18 months (the longest time allowed by HDB for a single lease). You'll pay a stiff premium for a 6 month lease if you do find one. (A good place to start if you are not fussed about distances would be places that are up for en bloc). These often can be had very reasonable. Look for HUDC's that have been privatized and are potentials for en bloc. There hasn't been very many new en blocs, what with the glut of new HDB BTO units over the past three years, but it's just an idea.
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers

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Re: HDB Rental for EP pass holder

Post by curiousgeorge » Tue, 20 Jan 2015 3:14 pm

I am sorry to contradict the old faithfulls who have already replied, but I rented a week before Christmas so my housing hunt is very recent.

My previous place fell through, and I needed a place for six months while I buy/reno a place and with a dog ](*,)

But honestly, the market is so soft right now there are plenty of places. I got a furnished 3rm in Telok Blangah, corner unit, mid-level, surrounded by jungle and recent simple refurb, for $2000. I signed for a year with two months notice to leave after four months, so effectively a six month lease.

I started looking on Monday, moved in on Wednesday. I offered 15% below the asking price and the landlord snapped my hand off!

Of course, I am very handsome and no doubt my experiences as a single man & dog are different from the average Indian family, but yeah its not too hard at the moment.

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Re: HDB Rental for EP pass holder

Post by manimaran.july1984 » Tue, 20 Jan 2015 3:49 pm

Thanks all for your reply! I'm starting my house hunt in this week and hopeful to get it soon.!

BTW, I raised this question because one of the agent has informed me that I should have minimum of 6 months or more validity on the EP pass.. But I have EP pass validity below 6 months currently. ( 5 months 20 days to be exact ).

I'm not sure why the agent told that.

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Re: HDB Rental for EP pass holder

Post by sundaymorningstaple » Tue, 20 Jan 2015 4:09 pm

manimaran.july1984 wrote:Thanks all for your reply! I'm starting my house hunt in this week and hopeful to get it soon.!

BTW, I raised this question because one of the agent has informed me that I should have minimum of 6 months or more validity on the EP pass.. But I have EP pass validity below 6 months currently. ( 5 months 20 days to be exact ).

I'm not sure why the agent told that.
By law you will need a minimum of 6 months of residency left on your visa in order to rent any property in Singapore. Additionally, as you have already noted, you cannot rent for less than 6 months. (There is nothing stopping you from taking a six month lease, paying it in full and leaving after three months, but don't expect a refund for the other three months.
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers

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Re: HDB Rental for EP pass holder

Post by manimaran.july1984 » Tue, 20 Jan 2015 4:32 pm

sundaymorningstaple wrote:
manimaran.july1984 wrote:Thanks all for your reply! I'm starting my house hunt in this week and hopeful to get it soon.!

BTW, I raised this question because one of the agent has informed me that I should have minimum of 6 months or more validity on the EP pass.. But I have EP pass validity below 6 months currently. ( 5 months 20 days to be exact ).

I'm not sure why the agent told that.
By law you will need a minimum of 6 months of residency left on your visa in order to rent any property in Singapore. Additionally, as you have already noted, you cannot rent for less than 6 months. (There is nothing stopping you from taking a six month lease, paying it in full and leaving after three months, but don't expect a refund for the other three months.

My situation is i'll stay for 5 months and pay for 6 months. I'm okay with it and not expecting refund.

But you mentioning by law I need a minimum of 6 months validity my visa is little confusing.

If i take a HDB unit for 6 months with a visa validity say little more than 5 months, is it legal or illegal ?

If its illegal, how can a guy with less than 6 months validity on EP pass will get an accommodation in Singapore ? What are the legal options ?

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Re: HDB Rental for EP pass holder

Post by sundaymorningstaple » Tue, 20 Jan 2015 4:48 pm

Hostel, Serviced Apartment or cheap hotel (some minimalist hotels here can be nego'd at around $30/day)
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers

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Re: HDB Rental for EP pass holder

Post by manimaran.july1984 » Tue, 20 Jan 2015 4:53 pm

sundaymorningstaple wrote:Hostel, Serviced Apartment or cheap hotel (some minimalist hotels here can be nego'd at around $30/day)
Thanks for the alternative options.

With respect to the actual question, I'm okay for paying 6 months rental though I'll be staying 5 months. Is that a legal or illegal rental if I do that?

If I get a letter from my company head stating there is possibility of extending my visa although my current visa validity is below 6 months, would that letter be enough to make my HDB rental a legal option ?

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Re: HDB Rental for EP pass holder

Post by therat » Tue, 20 Jan 2015 5:03 pm

http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10323p.nsf ... enDocument

Non-Citizen (NC)* Subletting Quota

Non-Malaysian non-citizen subtenants are advised to check if the Non-Citizen Subletting Quota of the block and neighbourhood where the flat is located has reached the limit before entering into any subletting contract. You can use the e-Service on the InfoWEB to enquire if an HDB flat can be rented by non-Malaysian NCs.

*This refers to Singapore Permanent Residents and Foreigners (excluding Malaysians for both groups).

http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10323p.nsf ... enDocument
Eligibility Conditions : Subtenants
c. Non-citizens legally residing in Singapore who are holders of Employment Passes, S Passes, Work Permits*, Student Passes, Dependant Passes, or Long-Term Social Visit Passes. These passes must have a validity period of at least 6 months as at the date of subletting application**.

=======
Above from HDB

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