I agree with ukdesigner - it will be much easier to start househunting when you're already in Singapore... so better to ask your boyfriend's company to pay for a few weeks in a
Serviced Apartment, and start talking to agents after you get here.
Anyway -- since it sounds like a lot of details have not yet been settled... it's best to get a clear contract (in black and white) listing what kinds of relocation expenses the company will pay for, and how much. Relocation support can vary quite widely and you don't want to be caught in a situation where there are very different expectations between your boyfriend and his employer about how much they'll pay or reimburse!
Some things to ask about:
- temporary housing allowance (while you find a place)
- shipment allowance (will they pay for a half container, full container, etc)
- air shipment allowance (while waiting for your sea shipment)
- housing allowance
- car allowance (may not be needed, but find out anyway)
- local / international health insurance
- misc relocation expenses
- will they require any tax equalization?
- home leave and paid trips home
- fees for relocation consultant and/or tax consultant
When we last moved, my husband's employer used Fragomen (
www.fragomen.com) to manage our move. Normally though the company hires the relocation consultants, not the employee... so it is a bit strange that they are asking your boyfriend to make all the arrangements.
As jpatokal says, the company's representative in Singapore needs to initiate some paperwork over here... your boyfriend probably can't do that on his own.