Searching for accomodation - questions!

[flo2323]

Hello everyone,

I'm a student from Germany doing a master-programm at the National University of Singapore beginning in May 2010 to February 2011.

Right now I started to search for accomodation. I read in the froums and lots of advertisments, but I dont't completely understand the Singaporean market

- Ok, if people talk about common or master rooms (sometimes with a bathroom attached), they always talk about shared living? This means I rent a room and share the rest of the appartment with others?

- A "room in a condominium" seems to be the same, except the difference that a condominium has to offer special facilities. But we're still talking about shared living right?

- Renting a small apartment to live alone seems to be impossible?!? There are so-called "HDB" flats but these are also designed for shared living. Renting one complete unit does not seem to be an option for expats and prohibited.

My question: Is there any possiblity to get a small apartment on my own? Let's say one bedroom and bathroom? I don't need more. How much rent do I have to expect?

One more question: The problem I have with shared living is the following: During my stay in Singapore, there are a few friends that might want to visit me including my girlfriend? If I would just rent a room in a shared appartment, it would not really be possible to have guests? Or am I wrong? Let's say my girlfriend wants to stay for two weeks, I don't think the others would agree with that.

I'd appreciate some comments. Thank you all for your help in advance.

Florian

[nakatago]

You pretty nailed the information already. As about some of your questions, living in a unit on your own, especially as a student is pretty much near impossible. Such units are reserved for the elderly and those that aren't, are expensive as heck--a friend rented such a flat for 2K SGD a month and there isn't even a proper kitchen. About having guests, it depends on the owner of the flat. Older/religious owners tend to be strict but there may be some who won't mind. Their mileage will definitely vary.

You could try flat sharing. Your favorite search engine should bring up results about sites that specifically cater to that. You may find people who are willing to do so. And note, please don't advertise here in the forums--use the classifieds.

[durain]

have you check with the halls of residence for NUS?

http://www.nus.edu.sg/osa/housing/halls/index.html

[Girl_Next_Door]

I think the bigger issue here is you are here for less than 1 year. Most tenancy agreement is 1 or 2 years.

I'm not sure of your budget but you can try exploring Leedon Heights. Its supposed to be en-bloc by end December but it looks like the developer will postpone it to be next March/April. The units are available for short-term at relatively low rent. A friend of mine just got a 1,800sf 3 bedroom unit for $2.8k.

[beppi]

- Ok, if people talk about common or master rooms (sometimes with a bathroom attached), they always talk about shared living? This means I rent a room and share the rest of the appartment with others?

If you rent one room in a bigger apartment, obviously the rest is shared with other people.
A Master Bedroom has a bath attached, a Common Bedroom not (thus the bath is most probably shared, too).

- A "room in a condominium" seems to be the same, except the difference that a condominium has to offer special facilities. But we're still talking about shared living right?

A Condo or private apartment usually (but not always) has extra facilities.

- Renting a small apartment to live alone seems to be impossible?!? There are so-called "HDB" flats but these are also designed for shared living. Renting one complete unit does not seem to be an option for expats and prohibited.
My question: Is there any possiblity to get a small apartment on my own? Let's say one bedroom and bathroom? I don't need more. How much rent do I have to expect?

Studio or one-bedroom units are rare and don't cost less than bigger units. All apartments here are designed for families living together, but of course you can rent a whole unit for yourself, if you have the money (not below S$2000/month) and can commit to a two-year contract - very few landlords accept a one-year contract for a whole unit, and none below that.

One more question: The problem I have with shared living is the following: During my stay in Singapore, there are a few friends that might want to visit me including my girlfriend? If I would just rent a room in a shared appartment, it would not really be possible to have guests? Or am I wrong? Let's say my girlfriend wants to stay for two weeks, I don't think the others would agree with that.

This very much depends on the landlord or the people you are sharing the apartment with. Just ask before renting!
Alternatively, your guests (or you and gf) may stay in a hotel/hostel for the visit.

Since rooms are more often rented out in a short-term or flexible (often one months notice) arrangement, and are also cheaper (starting from S$700), that might be a better option for you. But decide for yourself!