Vacation rentals on Craigslist

[Captjohn]

Hello everyone, I'm brand new to the forum. I've been working on a rotational basis in the marine industry in SG since 2011. I've never had to rent accomodation as I lived on board a ship while I was there.

In July I want to spend 3-4 weeks in Singapore, and have been looking at condo rentals on Craigslist. Some of these are great deals, but one came back as a property management company based in KL, with no search results in Singapore. So, of course I wasn't born yesterday. They are looking for 50% or 100% plus a $300-500 damage deposit UP FRONT. No thanks.

But there are so many listed, they can't all be scams. Does anyone have any knowledge on any of these? Almost seems too good to be true to rent a furnished condo on Orchard Road for under $100 a night.

Anyone know someone who's been ripped off before?

[PNGMK]

Mod - are we allowed to tell him?

[ecureilx]

And didn't somebody say rental of residential property for less than 6 months is illegal ?

You gotta rent Serviced Apartments.

Or you can scan through Air BnB, as I seen a few advertised there (of course, that's contradicting the 6 months thing .. )

[Captjohn]

Yes, it's illegal, sort of, but it's not really enforced. I know all about that, so it would stand it reason they need to rent them out at good prices, and more or less at arm's length from the property management company. Which obviously they are. Serviced appartments are ridiculously expensive.

It seems to me if they were all scams there wouldn't be so many listed, and word would get around. I'm wondering if anyone knows anything factual, has heard of good or bad experiences. I didn't just fall off a turnip truck and of course if they only accept WU or MG for payment, don't have and supporting paperwork, etc, etc. Chances are they are a scam.

I know all about AirBnB, HomeAway, etc.

[ecureilx]

It seems to me if they were all scams there wouldn't be so many listed, and word would get around. I'm wondering if anyone knows anything factual, has heard of good or bad experiences.

The point is, a visitor who gets scammed, rarely has any recourse to fight or fix it- after all his or her visa expires.

Not that scams are common, but once in a while the local news and police put out notices about landlords, agents and sometimes even tenants collecting deposits and doing a runner. And the number of victims quite impressive - since not many can think scams can happen in squeaky clean Singapore

I know of folks who came here for medical treatment etc, and left without the deposit - as the agent claims the landlord is holding it, or landlord claims it is with the escrow or some or other excuse, and if nothing, deducted for damages.

Hence, of late, anybody I know who comes for treatment prefers paying a bit more for Serviced Apartments, and none have complained so far.

[JR8]

I've only stayed in an AirBnB place once, and then in an EU capital city. But as I recall the places available had user ratings. So before we decided on a place, we had studied the reviews/ratings for a handful of options and from many previous guests. That was my one and only experience of AirBnB and it worked out really well.

[This is of course above and beyond technical considerations re: legality etc in SG. And I'd never get involved in renting a place in SG unless all dealings were directly with the owner. Any other arrangement esp. x-border is just asking to get screwed IMO].

[Captjohn]

There are currently over 700 active Craigslist ads in the Singapore vacation rentals section.

It stands to reason the owners of such places probably have better things to do than mess around screening tenants and handing out keys, but if not using the place and have the chance to collect enough to cover half the payment, may opt to do so through an agent.

[JR8]

People renting apartments in SG can have a hard enough time dealing with legal arrangements with local owners/lets; see all the tricks mentioned over on the 'Staying, Living...' sub-forum.
The suggestion of, as you say, prices almost being 'too good to be true', sending your money offshore to an '''agent''', the let quite possibly being illegal, and no mention in response to my comment about re-assuring quality user-reviews.

Draw your own conclusions maybe?

[Strong Eagle]

I've been looking at a bunch of the ads... and my sense is that virtually all of them are being offered by companies/agencies representing them as short stay Serviced Apartments. Look at the ads. They offer linens, towels, and even maid service... all the things that a Serviced Apartment would offer.

Check out the ads that say, "Need Cash?" They are all companies offering "legal" (they say) ways to rent the apartment... and if they are a serviced apartment company, there is nothing to say that all the serviced apartments need to be in one building. Look at it this way... the serviced apartment company commits to renting your apartment for a duration of at least six months... thereby satisfying legal requirements. Then, it rents serviced apartments on the short term... again, legal... because serviced apartments are legal provided that certain guidelines are followed... and I bet that the guidelines are being followed, especially the way the ads are written.

So...it's less about dodgy, unknown overseas agents, and more about calling several of the agencies to get more information. I didn't see any ads that looked like they were written by owner/individual.

[JR8]

Look at it this way... the Serviced Apartment company commits to renting your apartment for a duration of at least six months... thereby satisfying legal requirements. Then, it rents Serviced Apartments on the short term... again, legal...

The 3-4 Tenancy Agreements (long term) I've had are very clear that sub-letting (the whole or part) is not permitted without express permission from the LL.
Added to that condo management also IME don't allow it, and are hot on the issue, lest their buildings morph into a blighted short-stay hotel type affair. IME to get a condo-access card you need to be a named party on the TA. Even getting a spare one for guests to use is not readily possible.

Shame none of the exteriors of the buildings are shown in the 10 or so ads I looked at. Nor their addresses given, not even street names given. Bit strange that eh, or not?

[Strong Eagle]

The 3-4 Tenancy Agreements (long term) I've had are very clear that sub-letting (the whole or part) is not permitted without express permission from the LL.

In this case, I would expect that the property owner would have to explicityly agree to allow subletting.

[JR8]

So can we determine the actual street/block/unit no. for any of these places?

If so might be fun to e-mail their ManCo asking if booking a short-term hotel like stay in 'their' building is permitted

[Strong Eagle]

So can we determine the actual street/block/unit no. for any of these places?

If so might be fun to e-mail their ManCo asking if booking a short-term hotel like stay in 'their' building is permitted

Here's one at The Clift: http://singapore.craigslist.com.sg/vac/5567422920.html

312 units... 52 for sale, 208 for rent... what's that say?

[JR8]

... they're (owner-landlords, or even the freeholder?) desperate to get some money in...

Also tells me I'm glad I never invested in SGn property

[Strong Eagle]

Or this one that is apparently located in the tower at Lucky Plaza.

http://singapore.craigslist.com.sg/vac/5568007471.html

PS: My unit number counts above came from Singapore . website... have no idea how timely or how accurate.