New Master student seeking accommodation

[Korcan]

Hello,

I am coming to Singapore with my wife at the end of July to study a masters degree at SMU for 1,5 years. We will be looking for a HDB flat for around 1.000 SGD. It can be out of town no problem. From online property listings I understand that it can be possible but not easy. What do you think? We are only interested in whole unit rentals. As a last resort we could pay up to 1.200 but we much prefer someting like 1.000. I know it is a marginal difference but when the whole bugdet is small such differences become important.

Also, we would like to do the house hunt by ourselves and not with an agent. We are used to fix such thinks by ourselves. However, given that it is a foreign land for as and the legal aspects, would you think that using an agent would be a better idea?

Thank you for your attention.

[joop]

With your budget, it's not a matter of choice to use an agent or not, but your budget only permits you to room rental which I am going to direct you --> Rooms for Rent

Before you make a decision to relocate/study in Singapore, it's good to do thorough research on the cost of living in Singapore.

[Korcan]

I did a thorough research about the living conditions in Singapore. From that research, involving and not limited to, online property listing sites, I have the idea that it can be possible to find a 1+1 HDB flat for 1200-1300 SGD. I occasionally see listings for such flats for 900-1000 SGD but rare. I just wanted to have an opinion about the feasbility and possibility of that from people living there (you).

I am surprised about your comment that we can not rent a whole unit HDB flat for that. Then, either the ads I am seeing involve some kind of fraud or scam, or I am missing something else.

We plan to live on 3.000 SGD a month. We have a basic lifestyle. We have also have emergency funds of 15.000 SGD in case we need them. We have still another funds to finance us if we return to our country after the study. Based on the the thorough research that I have been doing, I am convinced that we can maintain a basic but civilised lifestyle, including a private flat however small or distant it may be.

I hope I am not missing something serious.

Thank you for your response.

[durain]

dont be surprise with joop comments. that's the reality of rental price in singapore. the price you are looking for are long gone!

[Korcan]

I am seeing property listings in 1000-13000 bracket, are they fake then?

[durain]

if that is the case, go for it.

[skye]

I guess you are looking at HDB flats as condos will be outwith your price range. Few if any whole apartments are available at the rental price you mention, but i hope you get lucky. I believe owners need written permission from HDB to sublet a whole apartment. It's illegal to rent without that permission and if there are any problems you won't have any recourse. You also want to know you are dealing with the owner so ask for documentary proof. Get everything in writing before you hand over any money as without a tenancy agreement (which should be stamped), you may have great difficulty recovering any deposits etc when you leave.

[Korcan]

Hello skye,

Thank you very much for your helpful post.
As mentioned in my original post, I will be looking for a HDB flat. I researched the HDB rental procedure and yes it is as you mention. I certainly go over it once again before committing to actual contract. I have no intention to enter a deal which is not fully legal. I assume that flats advertised online such as on roomsdb website comply with the legal matters, but of course I will double check everything.

Do you think asking an agent to find me a place (HDB) in my price range would produce better results compared to self-search?

Thanks again.

[Icemocha]

I have a feeling you did your rental research at least 6 mths ago. Lots of changes are happening in SG rental market.

Many expats with lower income are forced to downgrade to smaller private apartments or room rental when their landlord raise they rent 50-100% over the past 1year. Similiarly, those staying in smaller private apartment or renting rooms in private apartments are moving into HDB housing.

HDB common room rental range between $600 -1000 per room depending on furnishing & distance to public transport.

It is very unlikely for you to secure a whole unit for $1000 (near city) since the owner can rent out both room for $1200 or more (if they have the approval for full rental).

Also note that people coming for certain countries have to pay more for rental as most landlords prefers not to rent to certain race, so prices you saw could mean e.g. local or malaysian Chinese only, ladies only...etc.

Try to contact SMU's admission for help. If I'm not wrong, they have a hostel of limited capacity near the campus.