Do you need a visa to rent a condo

[vealshank]

Hi everyone,

We are relocating to Singapore soon, but we may not have our EPs until some time after we arrive (long story). Can you rent a condo without an EP (Although our daughter will have student visa) or are we stuck in temporary serviced accom until our EPs are processed?

Thanks in advance for your answers.

[Strong Eagle]

Generally, you cannot. But some landlords will accept an Approval in Principle letter. If you do not have even that, your only real choice will be a Serviced Apartment because landlords are supposed to verify your right to live in SG.

If you're not getting your EP's until 'sometime after we arrive', I'd have an instant red flag up.

EP's applications filed electronically with MOM are processed in as little as 48 hours, manually, usually 4 weeks or less.

Remember, it is the government that makes the final decision. The company making you the offer can say they will get you an EP but if they don't do it right (and you really don't qualify under the schemes) you won't get your EP. Then what?

Your 'long story' may be private, and that is OK; on the other hand, many of us here have seen people burned by dodgy schemes of all sorts, all put forth by less than ethical employers. Given that the gahmen has tightened up all sorts of rules, I'd really want to know that I've got the EP in hand before committing. Otherwise, your in for an interesting, and possibly expensive, vacation before the gahmen asks you to leave again.

[vealshank]

Hi Strong Eagle thanks for your reply. We are not relying on an employer, but ourselves, We have incorporated a company in Singapore and are now going through the EP/Entrepass application process. We are feeling very optimistic of our chances of being approved sooner or later as we have very specialised fields, have been self employed for more than ten years and have clients in Singapore ready to work with us.
We are arriving in July but our daughter is staring school in August, so to be safe we are applying for a student pass for her in case we encounter rejections and appeals. We are more than happy to pay one year's rent in advance to a landlord so wondering if it is law that prevents landlords from accepting us or more there fear of flight.
We are committed to our move so come hell or high water we will get appoved We have put a significant sum of money in the company account and have everything crossed.

Cheers

[Strong Eagle]

It's pure speculation... and... I think that money in the bank for an Entrepass application almost ensures approval unless you are planning to run a whorehouse.

When I did my Entrepass app, I estimated my total cash needs for start up (personal and corporate) and nobody asked if I actually had the cash. I did because only a mad man starts a company with funding insufficient to support the startup.

MOM is wise now. Many mad men did try to start companies without the cash... a sorry ass end around the work permit process.

[vealshank]

ha ha thanks Strong Eagle, well a whorehouse it is not I have read a lot about the hit and miss of the MOM. It might be a long road, but we are determined that it will end up where we want it. It has to. We have a school place for our daughter and a container booked. Hopefully the cash in the bank will help. Any other tips are very welcome.

Cheers

[Mad Scientist]

Hi Strong Eagle thanks for your reply. We are not relying on an employer, but ourselves, We have incorporated a company in Singapore and are now going through the EP/Entrepass application process. We are feeling very optimistic of our chances of being approved sooner or later as we have very specialised fields, have been self employed for more than ten years and have clients in Singapore ready to work with us.
We are arriving in July but our daughter is staring school in August, so to be safe we are applying for a student pass for her in case we encounter rejections and appeals. We are more than happy to pay one year's rent in advance to a landlord so wondering if it is law that prevents landlords from accepting us or more there fear of flight.
We are committed to our move so come hell or high water we will get appoved We have put a significant sum of money in the company account and have everything crossed.

Cheers

I would not recommend you to pay the landlord a year's rent even if you have EP approve. Even more so if you still waiting for its approval.
Patient is the essence
What if something does not goes to plan and you still need to come and conduct business here. The year's rent will come in handy for Service Apartment etc in your hand NOT in someone else pocket.
Although the rules here are quite stringent on renting etc... there are cowboys esp. real estate agents which will do a fast one on you.
Like asking you to pay to their real estate agency instead of the landlord to be held "in trust" whereby there is no such agreement with done between agent and landlord etc.....
Once you done that , to retrieve it back will be a nightmare.
Why do you want to go thru that ? After all you have other priorities to deal with ..
My advise is be patience, once the EP is in your hand, you are set to go

[vealshank]

Thanks everyone for good advice. We have booked a good Serviced Apartment where we will be happy to stay no matter how long it takes and will go from there. Fingers crossed we will have it all sorted soon.

[kbelyeu]

There are quite a few owners that will lease with no questions asked in the marina bay area... all you have to do is ask (first, last and rent paid monthly via wire transfer).

Kurt

[Strong Eagle]

There are quite a few owners that will lease with no questions asked in the marina bay area... all you have to do is ask (first, last and rent paid monthly via wire transfer).

Kurt

And it is thoroughly illegal.

[whitespyder]

the government will pull no punches in dealing with illegal renting out of apartments.

[Strong Eagle]

the government will pull no punches in dealing with illegal renting out of apartments.

Why am I seeing a serious TIC - TOC person here?

[whitespyder]

what's TIC TOC?