LMB short term housing question and Dover Parkview

[Kappy]

Hi there
We are looking for a short term condo/apartment rental because we are relocating to Singapore from Toronto quickly in February.

Our budget is not able to afford the high-end Service Apartments so we were looking for something in between - around 5000.

Is it normal to have to sign a tenant's agreement and pay one month's lease upfront by wire to these services?

The one place (lmb) is already listed as a recommended apartment on this website.

Anyone have any other options for renting a short term condo - 2 to 3 bedroom?

Thanks

[JR8]

February might feel like short notice, but we've had people here who are moving at a few days notice. We could have a separate conversation about how long it takes to find your own place for long term rental upon arrival, but one to two weeks has proved enough for many who have gone before.

How long you are staying in SG? Note the condo you mention, and LMB are advertisers here rather than 'recommended' as such.

[Kappy]

Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 12:16 am Post subject:
February might feel like short notice, but we've had people here who are moving at a few days notice. We could have a separate conversation about how long it takes to find your own place for long term rental upon arrival, but one to two weeks has proved enough for many who have gone before.

How long you are staying in SG? Note the condo you mention, and LMB are advertisers here rather than 'recommended' as such.

---------------

We are coming to stay for 2 years. We just want to find a good place to rent for one month while we look for long term. So far the cheaper end of the budget seems to be about S $7000.

I would like to understand if places like LMB are legitimate when they ask for a full deposit up front. And if there are any other short term options - not many seem to be listed in the classified pages.

Thanks for your help

[JR8]

We are coming to stay for 2 years. We just want to find a good place to rent for one month while we look for long term. So far the cheaper end of the budget seems to be about S $7000.

Yes that is about what a decent hotel or Serviced Apartment is going to set you back these days. There are more budget options but they won't be far short of S$5k a month I'd have thought.


I would like to understand if places like LMB are legitimate when they ask for a full deposit up front.

If you had said that you read an ad on Craig's List or Gumtree, and it asked you to wire the funds to a Western Union account [a current scam] I'd say run to the hills.

On the other hand one of the reasons taxes and the cost of doing business is so cheap in SG is the lack of regulation of business. This is of course a double edged sword. So landlords or property business are relatively free to set their own rules, Caveat emptor rules the day in these parts.


And if there are any other short term options - not many seem to be listed in the classified pages.


It is worth doing a search on these forums for 'serviced apartment', the topic is one that has been chewed over before. Also have a good look through Tripadvisor too.

You could always bite the bullet and commit to being in Short Term Accommodation for just two weeks. Either a hotel or serviced apartment is going to feel very transient anyway. If you give yourself a month that's how long it will take, give yourself two weeks, well...

[zzm9980]

My "service apartment" was a bit over $9k for one month. Honestly it just felt like a nice hotel suite with a washing machine in it. I'd rather have just stayed in a nice hotel and used the laundry service