JTC flats v/s normal Flats

[revhappy]

Hi Guys,

I would like to know the advantages and disadvantages of JTC flats vis-a-vis renting from the owner via an agent.

Could you please let me know the differences from a financial point of view and from a convinience point of view?

I think there is a rent difference of about 100-200$ between JTC and from owners. So the argument for JTC flats is the saving in Agent fee and the rental savings for say a year which can partly fund the furnishing(I think about 50%?) but the big +ve is that there is no harrasment from the owner to demand more rent or refusal to give back deposit. A JTC flat can be vacated with just 1 month of notice?

Could you guys please share your views?

Cheers,
Revhappy

[nana77]

the key difference is definitely the charges. cheaper to rent JTC flat rather than through agents.

not only do u have to pay agent's fees, the overall monthly rent is also higher.

if u are a singapore pr, best bet is to purchase a flat. more cost savings in the long run.

[revhappy]

Oh finally someone answered! Thanks @nana77.

I am not a PR yet, I have been here for just over a month so will think of PR only after a year or so. In the meanwhile I guess the difference b/w JTC flat and normal flat is that the JTC flat makes sense only if you are planning to stay for 2 years or so, as you save about 1.5K in agent fee and also you can leave the flat whenever you want with a month's notice and nothing to lose.

I will try to get a flat without agent fee and if I dont get one then I will pay the agent fee but I cant really forecast much beyond6 months hence JTC flat is quite risky for me. But it will be a gamble to get a good landlord. We will see!

[sundaymorningstaple]

I think you will find that the JTC flats are not furnished either. Therefore, what you don't pay to an agent you will have to pay to furnish the place. So it's six of one and half a dozen of the other. Additionally, you really only have partial ability to select the flat you want.

Additionally, you will be saddled with a number of restrictions....

Under JTC's Scheme for Housing of Foreign Talent (SHiFT), a wide range of public housing is available to meet the needs, preferences and budget of foreign talent in Singapore. The apartments for rent range from 3-room types (2 bedrooms) to Executive types (3 bedrooms). The apartments are rented unfurnished.

You'll be allocated an apartment once you've selected your preferred location and submitted your application with the required documents.

Tenancy is for a period of one or two years. Subletting is not allowed.

For a 3-room flat (with 2 bedroom), you can house up to 4 persons and for a 4-room or larger flat, you can house up to 6 persons.