Help in locating a flat/condo

[tarun_n]

Hi All,

We (Me, my wife and 1 yr baby) are moving to singapore in March.

I am looking for help in advising locations where I can find a decent flat/condo to rent in a budget of 1200-1500 S$.

My office is in Science Park II, I would prefer locations with least travelling time, but keeping in mind my constrained budget!

Thanks in advance for all help from other expats.

-TaN

[hotquine]

Hi we really struggled on a budget of $1800 so try and get more cash. Good Luck

[Weiss]

Hi,

You can try looking for accomdation along(around) Pasir Panjang Rd, Harbour Front or Clementi.

Cheers

[blownalot]

Hi
Sorry this isn't advice on locations but is more general advice.

We have been in Singapore this week from the UK looking at accomodation for when we finally move here in the summer. We were surprised at how much more expensive the rents are when you actually start looking compared with the ones on this website. Also we werent used to the concept of how big a place was in square feet.

From our experiences this week and what others have told us I would happily give this advice
1. Try looking at the older apartments as you get more space for you money.
2. Use a couple of agents to find you a place - they dont like it but then again it's not their money is it?
3. Dont assume that the price they advertise it at is their final price - the landlord expects some negotiation. We were told they expect to knock 10% off it.

Happy house hunting !

[gemini74]

We are currently staying in a condo unit in Woodlands and the rental price is $1600 per month.

My friend is also staying at another condo unit in Woodlands and the rental is $1700 per month.

You will be considered very lucky if you can get a condo unit near Science Park II for $2000 even... ...

FYI, my aunt rented her HDB apartment (2 bedrooms) at Holland Village for $1300 per month.

Condo units near to Science Park II (Heritage & Dover Parkview) can go as much as $2400 per month.

Good luck with your house hunting.

[jumping_gene]

we're looking at moving to singapore by mid 2007, and we're also considering housing in this area (husband will be at the NUS), also at this budget.

i've been browsing condo prices and it seems that, as they've said here, it'll be hard to find one considering these requirements. we've more or less resigned ourselves to look for an hdb flat instead.

there are terms i don't understand though; perhaps someone could clarify:

1. what's the difference between HDB and HUDC?
2. what's an executive apartment?
3. if an HDB flat is advertised at 3+1, that's just 2 bedrooms, right? what's the +1?
4. does singaporeexpats also offer help in finding hdb flats? or just apartments/condo units?

this forum newbie would appreciate feedback (i swear i did use the search function first but couldn't find these info)!

[2die4]

1. what's the difference between HDB and HUDC?
HDB are the local housing buildings you see all around Singapore these are public housing. HUDC are the private ones but not the condo type. can't tell you the technical differences but that's what i know... I stayed in Amberville before which is an HUDC there are guards/security for the area now i'm staying in Marine Drive which is an HDB

2. what's an executive apartment?
don't know, hehe...

3. if an HDB flat is advertised at 3+1, that's just 2 bedrooms, right? what's the +1?
If it's 3+1 that means there are 3 bedrooms plus one extra which can be smaller than the rest.

4. does singaporeexpats also offer help in finding hdb flats? or just apartments/condo units?
have no idea sorry...

i do hope i helped even just a little... good luck!

[gemini74]

1. what's the difference between HDB and HUDC?
HDB are the local housing buildings you see all around Singapore these are public housing. HUDC are the private ones but not the condo type. can't tell you the technical differences but that's what i know... I stayed in Amberville before which is an HUDC there are guards/security for the area now i'm staying in Marine Drive which is an HDB

2. what's an executive apartment?
don't know, hehe...

3. if an HDB flat is advertised at 3+1, that's just 2 bedrooms, right? what's the +1?
If it's 3+1 that means there are 3 bedrooms plus one extra which can be smaller than the rest.

4. does singaporeexpats also offer help in finding hdb flats? or just apartments/condo units?
have no idea sorry...

i do hope i helped even just a little... good luck!

Hi,

Hope these additional info helps:-

Executive Apartment:
- In short, its called EA. HDB flat but much bigger ie. bigger living room and dining room. Usually found in new estates like Sengkang and Puggol.

+1 room:
- Usually means that this HDB block was upgraded with new lifts and toilets and some with an additional small room near the kitchen. Most locals use it for maids or storage room.

Singapore Expats help for finding HDB:
- I doubt it. Reading the advetisements they advertise, its mainly condos/Apartments. If you want help with HDB, get a regular BUT reliable agent.

[jumping_gene]

thanks to both of you for the help!

[SgExpat]

2. what's an executive apartment?
Its falls under the category of HDB, which means its a public housing unit, with no security fencing or facilites exclusive to the resident.

Most estate have it, they are usually bigger than a 5rm flat, in layman term, sometimes the singaporean call them 6room flat (but actual fact is that there are only 3 or 4 bedroom inside).
the overall floor area is bigger, and of course everything looks more spacious this way. Its not really much different from a 5rm flat ]
(from the view of a tenant).

3. if an HDB flat is advertised at 3+1, that's just 2 bedrooms, right? what's the +1?
3+1 means 3 bedroom, in HDB terms, the +1 doesnt mean an extra bedroom or smaller room, it just mean the owner is not goin to stay there with u.

I believe most HDB are sublet out without permission (kind of illegal but lots of people are doing it, and the government of singapore also dont really bother much as long as nobody complains), so usually u get 2bedroom units, quite rare to find 3bedroom (meaning its approved) or even 4bedroom unit.

In pvt housing, the +1 means there is a smaller room (for the maid etc)

[changes]

HDB is mainly for local. Foreigner is not allowed to rent the whole flat.

[jumping_gene]

thanks, SgExpat. those info gives us a clearer idea what to expect, and will be helpful when screening ads and offers.

changes, are you sure? the info on the hdboard website says they do approve some flats so that they can be rented even to non-citizens. from the hdb website:

Singapore citizens, Singapore permanent residents and non-citizens may rent a flat or room from existing HDB flat owners under the Subletting of Flat / Room Scheme.

on the policies page:

Eligibility of Subtenants

Subtenants must meet the following conditions:

Citizenship

Subtenants must be either:

* Singapore Citizens;
* Singapore Permanent Residents; or
* Non-Citizens legally residing in Singapore (holders of Singapore blue Identity Cards, Employment Passes, Work Permits or Student Passes)

[changes]

Hi jumping_gene,

I revisited the HDB web site. Foreigner is allowed to rent the whole HDB flat. However, I am not sure how many the HDB flat owner who is eligible to rent out their flat. You may have a look at it. Anyway, you can try your luck...

Eligibility of Flat Owners

Subletting of whole flat is allowed in sold flats. You are allowed to sublet your flat if you fall under one of the following circumstances :

You are living in quarters provided by employer

* You/your spouse, your family members or authorised occupiers, are all staying in quarters provided by your employers.


You are going overseas to work or study

* You/your spouse are going overseas to work or study and the entire family will be going along, or you are leaving behind family members who cannot take care of themselves and who will be moving out of the flat.


You are living in commercial properties

* You/your spouse are tenants, subtenants or owners of commercial property with living quarters and you have to stay there, with your family members, to look after the business.


You have satisfied a 5-year or 10-year Minimum Occupation Period (MOP)

* You have occupied your flat for at least 5 years and do not have an outstanding HDB loan; or
* You have occupied your flat for at least 10 years, regardless of your mortgage loan status i.e. you may have an outstanding HDB loan.


Other circumstances

* You are the sole owners and occupiers of the flats and need care from relatives because of illness.
* You are the sole owners and occupiers of the flat and are hospitalised for more than six months.
* The flat owners have passed away and left behind an orphaned minor child (i.e. child under 21 years of age). The guardian or public trustee of the minor child may sublet the whole flat.

By the way, any expats is renting the whole HDB flat? May be you can share the information with jumping_gene.

[Makan24-7]

Condo units near to Science Park II (Heritage & Dover Parkview) can go as much as $2400 per month.

Dover Parkview in Jan 2007 was going for 2.8-3k for a 2 bedroom unit. And prospective tenants were even bidding up and on the spot during viewing.

Heritage's 2 bedroom units are all going for 3-4.5k in Jan 2007.

[iis]

You can try Clementi area. I know there're direct buses to pasir panjang area from west coast rd ( science park has shuttle service to west coast rd coz i saw it many times, but don't know the exact drop off place)
alternatively you can also look for Bukit batok, bukit panjang area for more choices.