HDB-Flat - Legal issues, please help

[niklaskrupka]

Hi there,

we are three guys from Germany doing in internship in Singapore for two
months.
As it seems to be very hard to find a place for short-term accomodation
for a reasonable price here we were very happy to have found this flat
in the vicinity of Outram MRT:

- 3bdr HDB Flat (1 master, 2 common)
- no agent, made every agreement directly with the owner
- possibility to arrange a short-term stay (1-3 months)
- just been renovated
- the price is 800/900/1000 for each room

The flat looked very nice so we hoped to move in there asap but now
we have some concers about the contract we should sign tomorrow.
We have already taken a look on it but the problem is that none of us is
really informed about legal issues in Singapore and at which points people
perhaps try to trick you.
The owner wants to have a deposit of one month rental and upfront
payment for the whole time (= around S$2700 cash from each of us!!!)

Does anyone has made some experience with these kinds of agreements?
Is it the normal way how it is done here? Where to take care especially?

Thank you very much your help.

Best Regards
niklas

[Jstar]

http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10202p.nsf ... enDocument

Start by looking at the above which can be helpful.

Well, its normal to give deposits of 1~2 month and so is paying rental in advance. Just make sure that the clauses in the contract give you a fair chance of recovering the deposit.

[goneeastgal]

I am from the US and went the agent route...spent a few bucks on that,,,but 1st and last months rent is basically chump change considering you don't have an agency fee. You'll get the money back..they just need to "protect[ themselves'...I am paying 1700 a month for one bedroom private condo (old but sweet) pool, gym, stores and very convenient. I am actually losing my job...but am presently dragging my feet. So I may be out of here by Nov 1 if anyone is interested. My landlords agent is very cool and easy to deal with..This is just my 2 cents...there are alot of scams here..there is another program forspecial talent called SHIFT?? can get a better price and something nicer. Check out Bukit Timah HDB...nice and convenient...

vanessa