Short term vacation rentals in Singapore - scam?

[Kappy]

Hi all
Thank you for running such an informative forum. I have a pressing question that I have not been able to find through search.

We are coming to Singapore in 6 weeks and want to rent a short term apartment/condo for 4 weeks before we find our permanent place. I know there are Service Apartments (recommendations welcome) but I had seen quite a few vacation rentals on Craigslist and Gumtree.

Are these rentals legit? I found one that was in an apartment in Holland Village and when I wrote to enquire the response is that they need a 50% deposit on total month plus security, through a moneygram/Western Union.

I have found one of these registered as a scam on Scam Warners.com - see here
http://scamwarners.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=29297

So my question - are there any legit short term vacation rentals for 2 - 3 weeks out there in Singapore? Is the 50% deposit normal?

And does anyone have any good recommendations - we would need 2 - 3 bedrooms and preferrably in a large complex with a pool so we can try out an area.

Thanks for your help!

[sundaymorningstaple]

Short term rentals are rarer than hen's teeth. For all intents and purposes they don't exist. Another thing, if you do not have a residency visa or a LTVP with a term of at least 6 months, they cannot legally rent to you. Therefore it has to be a scam. Only commercial enterprises like hotels or Serviced Apartments can rent to you. Anybody who want a western union or moneygram deposit is a scammer. Full Stop.

[JR8]

^^^+1

Avoid such offers like the plague, scams with klaxons on!

The worrying thing is that we've been seeing such schemes/scams mentioned increasingly here recently. (This must be the 3rd or 4th time that I'm aware of in two months).

Resign yourself to getting a Serviced Apartment, there will be no alternative. Though beyond the cost, you should have a most enjoyable stay.

Good luck!

[Kappy]

THanks for clarifying that - I guess they must be all scams then.

Can anyone recommend a reasonable Service Apartments in the East Coast or Holland Village area?

Thanks
Anjali

[akirodic]

I'm gonna bump this thread up just to say thank you for helping me avoid a scam. My partner and I were looking for a short term rental and once we became suspicious we found this thread thanks to Google. You saved us from getting scammed!

[martincymru]

Short term rentals are increasing here despite being against the law.
The business is confusing the govt. - they want to control it's expansion but, presently, are not able.