Anyone with in Singapore but live in Batam?

[Wd40]

Indeed, the rent for a whole 3 bedroom HDB house is 4k right now. I think anyone who lives here with their family and currently renting, should start budgeting to pay 4k rent.

My current rent is 2.3k for a 3 bedroom hdb which is a steal. My lease is due for renewal later in the year and although my landlord is reasonable, I am expecting the rent to increase to 3.5k.

Luckily last year I got a 10% salary hike and the year before I got 5% hike. This year I am again hoping for a 10% hike in the best case scenario and worst case I am hoping 5%. So cumulative my salary would have gone up by about 2-2.5k since the pandemic started. This would nullify the rental increase. Although it feels sad that all my hard work and promotion just goes straight into the landlords pockets, I guess it is a case of beggars can't be choosers.

When you say 3 bedroom, do you know if this is the 4 room or 5 room flat per HDB definition? Both are 3 bedrooms, if a (relatively) newer unit should be ~1,000 (4 room) or 1,200 (5 room) square feet.

Yes, mine is a 5i corner flat 1200sft, but there isn't much difference between the rents for 4A and 5i in my area. Right now there is a huge disparity of rents between those owners who let their tenants continue with the old rents of around 2.5k Vs more opportunistic landlords who want the current market rent of close to 4k. So the averages are screwed up, but I think in a year or two rents will settle to the new normal of 4k. Salaries will also go up to the new normal of 12k for EP holders, so on a real basis hopefully we are at the same level.

[NYY1]

Indeed, the rent for a whole 3 bedroom HDB house is 4k right now. I think anyone who lives here with their family and currently renting, should start budgeting to pay 4k rent.

My current rent is 2.3k for a 3 bedroom hdb which is a steal. My lease is due for renewal later in the year and although my landlord is reasonable, I am expecting the rent to increase to 3.5k.

Luckily last year I got a 10% salary hike and the year before I got 5% hike. This year I am again hoping for a 10% hike in the best case scenario and worst case I am hoping 5%. So cumulative my salary would have gone up by about 2-2.5k since the pandemic started. This would nullify the rental increase. Although it feels sad that all my hard work and promotion just goes straight into the landlords pockets, I guess it is a case of beggars can't be choosers.

When you say 3 bedroom, do you know if this is the 4 room or 5 room flat per HDB definition? Both are 3 bedrooms, if a (relatively) newer unit should be ~1,000 (4 room) or 1,200 (5 room) square feet.

Yes, mine is a 5i corner flat 1200sft, but there isn't much difference between the rents for 4A and 5i in my area. Right now there is a huge disparity of rents between those owners who let their tenants continue with the old rents of around 2.5k Vs more opportunistic landlords who want the current market rent of close to 4k. So the averages are screwed up, but I think in a year or two rents will settle to the new normal of 4k. Salaries will also go up to the new normal of 12k for EP holders, so on a real basis hopefully we are at the same level.

I see. Most of these (newer) floor plans are pretty efficient, with slight variations around the kitchen, yard, and shelter/storage area. I wish more of them had a (small) balcony or (large) planter box off the living area to dry clothes.

[jalanjalan]

Did they live in a private gated community?

Well, there was a gate, but no one watching it, so.. sort of.

Another factor for the commute - ferry prices have gone up a lot.

Very true, perhaps the company is footing the expense?

That was the case for my spouse. Many Singaporeans working at Batamindo did the same, ie. daily commute. On the rare occasion he had to stay over, company also paid. This is the best way

[Lisafuller]

I know room rents got inflated during the lockdowns… has it not come back down? I can’t imagine paying $1000/mo for an HDB room with a common toilet, unless it’s in a prime area. For that kind of money, I might look for a place to pitch a tent!

Prices are crazy right now! Apparently they're up to 70% more than they were last year, so I believe that's an understatement.

Indeed, the rent for a whole 3 bedroom HDB house is 4k right now. I think anyone who lives here with their family and currently renting, should start budgeting to pay 4k rent.

My current rent is 2.3k for a 3 bedroom hdb which is a steal. My lease is due for renewal later in the year and although my landlord is reasonable, I am expecting the rent to increase to 3.5k.

Luckily last year I got a 10% salary hike and the year before I got 5% hike. This year I am again hoping for a 10% hike in the best case scenario and worst case I am hoping 5%. So cumulative my salary would have gone up by about 2-2.5k since the pandemic started. This would nullify the rental increase. Although it feels sad that all my hard work and promotion just goes straight into the landlords pockets, I guess it is a case of beggars can't be choosers.

At the very least, you have the rare good fortune of having your salary increase match the increase in rental costs. Not the case for most people.

[Lisafuller]

Indeed, the rent for a whole 3 bedroom HDB house is 4k right now. I think anyone who lives here with their family and currently renting, should start budgeting to pay 4k rent.

My current rent is 2.3k for a 3 bedroom hdb which is a steal. My lease is due for renewal later in the year and although my landlord is reasonable, I am expecting the rent to increase to 3.5k.

Luckily last year I got a 10% salary hike and the year before I got 5% hike. This year I am again hoping for a 10% hike in the best case scenario and worst case I am hoping 5%. So cumulative my salary would have gone up by about 2-2.5k since the pandemic started. This would nullify the rental increase. Although it feels sad that all my hard work and promotion just goes straight into the landlords pockets, I guess it is a case of beggars can't be choosers.

When you say 3 bedroom, do you know if this is the 4 room or 5 room flat per HDB definition? Both are 3 bedrooms, if a (relatively) newer unit should be ~1,000 (4 room) or 1,200 (5 room) square feet.

I've always been confused by the way HDB defined the flat types.

[Lisafuller]

Indeed, the rent for a whole 3 bedroom HDB house is 4k right now. I think anyone who lives here with their family and currently renting, should start budgeting to pay 4k rent.

My current rent is 2.3k for a 3 bedroom hdb which is a steal. My lease is due for renewal later in the year and although my landlord is reasonable, I am expecting the rent to increase to 3.5k.

Luckily last year I got a 10% salary hike and the year before I got 5% hike. This year I am again hoping for a 10% hike in the best case scenario and worst case I am hoping 5%. So cumulative my salary would have gone up by about 2-2.5k since the pandemic started. This would nullify the rental increase. Although it feels sad that all my hard work and promotion just goes straight into the landlords pockets, I guess it is a case of beggars can't be choosers.

When you say 3 bedroom, do you know if this is the 4 room or 5 room flat per HDB definition? Both are 3 bedrooms, if a (relatively) newer unit should be ~1,000 (4 room) or 1,200 (5 room) square feet.

Yes, mine is a 5i corner flat 1200sft, but there isn't much difference between the rents for 4A and 5i in my area. Right now there is a huge disparity of rents between those owners who let their tenants continue with the old rents of around 2.5k Vs more opportunistic landlords who want the current market rent of close to 4k. So the averages are screwed up, but I think in a year or two rents will settle to the new normal of 4k. Salaries will also go up to the new normal of 12k for EP holders, so on a real basis hopefully we are at the same level.

Wow, 1200 SF is really big for an HDB (excluding jumbo flats/maisonettes etc). I live in a condo that's around 1200 but it's only a two bedder.

[Lisafuller]

Well, there was a gate, but no one watching it, so.. sort of.

Another factor for the commute - ferry prices have gone up a lot.

Very true, perhaps the company is footing the expense?

That was the case for my spouse. Many Singaporeans working at Batamindo did the same, ie. daily commute. On the rare occasion he had to stay over, company also paid. This is the best way

Yes, nice. If they want to make employees commute, they should foot the bill.

[Lisafuller]

When you say 3 bedroom, do you know if this is the 4 room or 5 room flat per HDB definition? Both are 3 bedrooms, if a (relatively) newer unit should be ~1,000 (4 room) or 1,200 (5 room) square feet.

Yes, mine is a 5i corner flat 1200sft, but there isn't much difference between the rents for 4A and 5i in my area. Right now there is a huge disparity of rents between those owners who let their tenants continue with the old rents of around 2.5k Vs more opportunistic landlords who want the current market rent of close to 4k. So the averages are screwed up, but I think in a year or two rents will settle to the new normal of 4k. Salaries will also go up to the new normal of 12k for EP holders, so on a real basis hopefully we are at the same level.

I see. Most of these (newer) floor plans are pretty efficient, with slight variations around the kitchen, yard, and shelter/storage area. I wish more of them had a (small) balcony or (large) planter box off the living area to dry clothes.

I learned recently that HDB offers residents the option to buy back the recess area in front of their unit, provided it meets certain conditions. A nice way to expand the home, though it only applies to older flats.

[Wd40]

When you say 3 bedroom, do you know if this is the 4 room or 5 room flat per HDB definition? Both are 3 bedrooms, if a (relatively) newer unit should be ~1,000 (4 room) or 1,200 (5 room) square feet.

Yes, mine is a 5i corner flat 1200sft, but there isn't much difference between the rents for 4A and 5i in my area. Right now there is a huge disparity of rents between those owners who let their tenants continue with the old rents of around 2.5k Vs more opportunistic landlords who want the current market rent of close to 4k. So the averages are screwed up, but I think in a year or two rents will settle to the new normal of 4k. Salaries will also go up to the new normal of 12k for EP holders, so on a real basis hopefully we are at the same level.

Wow, 1200 SF is really big for an HDB (excluding jumbo flats/maisonettes etc). I live in a condo that's around 1200 but it's only a two bedder.

I really like the space and it is just 3 of us. I, my wife and my daughter. I like my privacy and sleep in a room alone. I am a very fussy sleeper, just cant sleep with someone else, even my wife. If there is slight disturbance, I wake up. My wife and daughter sleep in the master bedroom. Then the 3rd room is quite small, it serves as my daughter's study room.

The best part of this house is that there is a corridor inside the house(is it called hallway?). In the past I used to be all for efficiency and used to think this internal corridor is a waste of space. But actually this enhances, the feel of spaciousiousness and privacy even more. If I were to build/buy a my own house, I would definitely have such an internal corridor.

It is like sometime, we are in our bedroom, and someone knocks the main door and we cannot even hear. We need a wifi repeater for signal to reach the bedrooms.

[Wd40]

When you say 3 bedroom, do you know if this is the 4 room or 5 room flat per HDB definition? Both are 3 bedrooms, if a (relatively) newer unit should be ~1,000 (4 room) or 1,200 (5 room) square feet.

Yes, mine is a 5i corner flat 1200sft, but there isn't much difference between the rents for 4A and 5i in my area. Right now there is a huge disparity of rents between those owners who let their tenants continue with the old rents of around 2.5k Vs more opportunistic landlords who want the current market rent of close to 4k. So the averages are screwed up, but I think in a year or two rents will settle to the new normal of 4k. Salaries will also go up to the new normal of 12k for EP holders, so on a real basis hopefully we are at the same level.

I see. Most of these (newer) floor plans are pretty efficient, with slight variations around the kitchen, yard, and shelter/storage area. I wish more of them had a (small) balcony or (large) planter box off the living area to dry clothes.

This is the actual layout of my house. The place where it says balcony in the living room is not really a balcony, I dont know why it says that. That is where we keep our TV.

[Lisafuller]

Yes, mine is a 5i corner flat 1200sft, but there isn't much difference between the rents for 4A and 5i in my area. Right now there is a huge disparity of rents between those owners who let their tenants continue with the old rents of around 2.5k Vs more opportunistic landlords who want the current market rent of close to 4k. So the averages are screwed up, but I think in a year or two rents will settle to the new normal of 4k. Salaries will also go up to the new normal of 12k for EP holders, so on a real basis hopefully we are at the same level.

I see. Most of these (newer) floor plans are pretty efficient, with slight variations around the kitchen, yard, and shelter/storage area. I wish more of them had a (small) balcony or (large) planter box off the living area to dry clothes.

This is the actual layout of my house. The place where it says balcony in the living room is not really a balcony, I dont know why it says that. That is where we keep our TV.

Bedrooms two and three appear to be the same size though

[Lisafuller]

Yes, mine is a 5i corner flat 1200sft, but there isn't much difference between the rents for 4A and 5i in my area. Right now there is a huge disparity of rents between those owners who let their tenants continue with the old rents of around 2.5k Vs more opportunistic landlords who want the current market rent of close to 4k. So the averages are screwed up, but I think in a year or two rents will settle to the new normal of 4k. Salaries will also go up to the new normal of 12k for EP holders, so on a real basis hopefully we are at the same level.

Wow, 1200 SF is really big for an HDB (excluding jumbo flats/maisonettes etc). I live in a condo that's around 1200 but it's only a two bedder.

I really like the space and it is just 3 of us. I, my wife and my daughter. I like my privacy and sleep in a room alone. I am a very fussy sleeper, just cant sleep with someone else, even my wife. If there is slight disturbance, I wake up. My wife and daughter sleep in the master bedroom. Then the 3rd room is quite small, it serves as my daughter's study room.

The best part of this house is that there is a corridor inside the house(is it called hallway?). In the past I used to be all for efficiency and used to think this internal corridor is a waste of space. But actually this enhances, the feel of spaciousiousness and privacy even more. If I were to build/buy a my own house, I would definitely have such an internal corridor.

It is like sometime, we are in our bedroom, and someone knocks the main door and we cannot even hear. We need a wifi repeater for signal to reach the bedrooms.

I hadn't known this wasn't common in HDB's. I thought it was the standard for most houses here.

[Wd40]

I see. Most of these (newer) floor plans are pretty efficient, with slight variations around the kitchen, yard, and shelter/storage area. I wish more of them had a (small) balcony or (large) planter box off the living area to dry clothes.

This is the actual layout of my house. The place where it says balcony in the living room is not really a balcony, I dont know why it says that. That is where we keep our TV.

Bedrooms two and three appear to be the same size though

I had the exact same thought when I saw the drawing. I think the drawing is not to scale but if you see measurements bedroom 3 is 3300 and bedroom 2 is 3000, so bedroom 3 is 10% bigger.

[Lisafuller]

This is the actual layout of my house. The place where it says balcony in the living room is not really a balcony, I dont know why it says that. That is where we keep our TV.

Bedrooms two and three appear to be the same size though

I had the exact same thought when I saw the drawing. I think the drawing is not to scale but if you see measurements bedroom 3 is 3300 and bedroom 2 is 3000, so bedroom 3 is 10% bigger.

Ahh, yes that's right. I hadn't noticed.

[NYY1]

This is the actual layout of my house. The place where it says balcony in the living room is not really a balcony, I dont know why it says that. That is where we keep our TV.

I see. There are some balconies like this in very tall buildings in the central area. I.e. they are within the buildings structure and not sticking out from the side (but no windows, open to air). For HDB, I think some like yours have been enclosed and some leave open.

The more recent BTOs are usually squarish all around and the second bathroom is accessible from the hallway instead of through the kitchen.