How to find a place to rent without an agent?? - advice pls

[Live For the thrill]

Hi Guys,

Ok, so we are moving to Singapore on the 3rd of June. I've been in contact with numerous agents etc that have offered to show me places. Some of the advice I've been getting from them, seems to be a bit dodge after I do my research. However, the main reason is that I don't want to pay someone a months rental for showing me a place that I found over the Internet?

Has anyone rented without an agent, and if so can you give me some advice on how to accelerate this process. At the moment, I've been just been on the ffg websites: gum tree, olx, no rent Singapore looking for places.

Are there any other sources I could use? Are there any other tips? If it helps my max spend is s$3400.

Should I just use an agent?
Thank you.

Any advice would be appreciated?

[beppi]

You can of course contact agents who advertise properties on behalf of their owners - according to the rules the fees are then paid by the owner, because he engaged the agent. Just be careful, as many agents will say that that particular place is gone and offer to look for others that suit you - then it's you who engaged him for the search and thus you pay!
Also be careful, as many agents are not exactly honest and will do and say almost anything to get some money from you (e.g. claim that below a certain rental you pay the fee and not the landlord - this was common until a few years ago but now violates the new estate agent law).
If you go without agent, just contact the (few) ads that say "no agent" or "owner" and prepare for a longer and more time-consuming search. In my experience, though, the better rental deals don't go through agents and negotiations directly with a landlord are also much easier.

[Live For the thrill]

Ahaa! Thanks for the great advice beppi!

I just received an email from an agent that said that the unit that I enquired about is not available but she has another unit in the same complex that is even better for exactly the same price ... It could be a coincidence or it could be that she just wants me to pay the agent fee. I think it is the latter.

I have a weeks accomodation sorted out. From reading a few other threads it seems that around some estates there are quite a few advertisements by owners themeselves regarding properties for rent. I was thinking of hiring a car or walking around these estates and contacting the owners themselves. Is this a good idea?

[zzm9980]

I just received an email from an agent that said that the unit that I enquired about is not available but she has another unit in the same complex that is even better for exactly the same price ... It could be a coincidence or it could be that she just wants me to pay the agent fee. I think it is the latter.

You should tell her you're very interested but you aren't willing to pay an agent's fee. Or, offer a nominal agent's fee of S$500 max. This is all legal and allowed, if she agrees

[beppi]

It seems to become standard agent ruse to bait prospective tenants with ads that aren't real, and then sign them on for a paid search. Of course it is also illegal for them to advertise without explicit consent of the property owner, but the risk of being found out is low ...

It's uncommon to place ads (e.g. banners) at the property itself (except for landed houses, which are beyond your budget), so walking or driving around won't help.

One week is very short to find a good place, even with agents' help. Better plan on a month - you don't want to be rushed!

[Live For the thrill]

@zzm9980 - will try that!

@ beppi - Ok will do. Thanks for the advice!