Renting apartment in Singapore on tourist visa

[ryan_roxx]

I'm an American that works in Indonesia and Malaysia, and am thinking of getting an apartment here in Singapore to have a "home base" on this side of the world. I know there are restrictions on foreigners buying property in Singapore, but are there any specific restrictions regarding renting here? I would not be working in Singapore and entering on a tourist visa only.

[jpatokal]

Not possible legally on a tourist visa -- you can either lease a Service Apartment, which get pretty expensive in the long term, or try to find some dodgy sublet deal which doesn't make you a legal tenant.

Can't the company you work for sort out a Sg visa for you, or are you freelancing?

[guruvishwanath]

Actually its the other way around. Foreigners buying property is pretty much ok, as long as you fulfil some conditions. You can only buy private apartments which are listed as Freehold and foreigner's eligible. I know several foreigners have shelled out bucket sums of money to procure property. If you are buying in the Sentosa Cove (upwards of 6Million), then be prepared your financial and personal life to be scrutinized with a Electron Microscope. The Finance ministry does not want triads, mafia and other ill-gotten wealthy people to shovel money here to procure property. There was even an article of an experience related by a buyer on how he was checked before being approved. But that's for a landed property or a bungalow. for apartments? I dont think there are stringent checks, but there are some checks.

[jpatokal]

Actually its the other way around. Foreigners buying property is pretty much ok, as long as you fulfil some conditions. You can only buy private apartments which are listed as Freehold and foreigner's eligible. I know several foreigners have shelled out bucket sums of money to procure property. If you are buying in the Sentosa Cove (upwards of 6Million), then be prepared your financial and personal life to be scrutinized with a Electron Microscope. The Finance ministry does not want triads, mafia and other ill-gotten wealthy people to shovel money here to procure property. There was even an article of an experience related by a buyer on how he was checked before being approved. But that's for a landed property or a bungalow. for apartments? I dont think there are stringent checks, but there are some checks.

That's all well and good, but the OP was specifically asking about renting, not buying property

[sundaymorningstaple]

[guruvishwanath]

MAJOR! Ooops!!! But I distinctly remember my head processing as buying. Not sure why I thought so. Oh, well! Then its a no go. Cant rent on tourist visa.