US Citizen to use Singapore as a travel hub. Is it possible?

[sundaymorningstaple]

In my company we have an internal message board that is thriving with ads of short term room rentals without any contract or agent fee. Its booming with atleast 20 ads a day and a big win win.

Consider this. A Indian couple rent a big posh 5i apartment in punggol for $2.5k and then they dont need such a big place for themselves. But then posh HDBs dont come in 2 bedroom sizes. So they rent out one room to a bachelor Indian colleague from the same office for $800. There are others who rent out 2 rooms in the same 5i. Big win.

Easily subverted by having the single guy added into the tenancy agreement so that he's not subletting but entering into a current agreement.

Just sayin.'

Before you can add them, they have to be able to show residency e.g., a FIN number or NRIC number. Otherwise, no go.

[nakatago]

In my company we have an internal message board that is thriving with ads of short term room rentals without any contract or agent fee. Its booming with atleast 20 ads a day and a big win win.

Consider this. A Indian couple rent a big posh 5i apartment in punggol for $2.5k and then they dont need such a big place for themselves. But then posh HDBs dont come in 2 bedroom sizes. So they rent out one room to a bachelor Indian colleague from the same office for $800. There are others who rent out 2 rooms in the same 5i. Big win.

Easily subverted by having the single guy added into the tenancy agreement so that he's not subletting but entering into a current agreement.

Just sayin.'

Before you can add them, they have to be able to show residency e.g., a FIN number or NRIC number. Otherwise, no go.

I was working on the premise of bachelor colleague, implying working in Singapore; didn't say no nothin' about people on business trips.

[beppi]

I have been member of Couchsurfing and similar organisations for many years and literally hosted hundreds of visitors in Singapore.
My understanding is that this, as long as no payment is involved, does not fall under illegal renting. I call it friendship (and having a friend or relative stay with you for a short while must be allowed!).

Of course AirBnB and its clones are clearly illegal!

[Strong Eagle]

Prior to moving to Singapore, I stayed with friends (at no cost). I find it difficult to believe that such an arrangement is illegal, when I am only here for the purposes of tourism.

Under the extreme view that has been espoused here, I could not bring my daughter over on a holiday and put her up at my place... she would have to stay at a hotel... and I just don't think that is the case.

[zzm9980]

Under the extreme view that has been espoused here, I could not bring my daughter over on a holiday and put her up at my place... she would have to stay at a hotel... and I just don't think that is the case.

Just like gay sex, I find it highly unlikely anyone at all enforces this statute unless you're also involved in some other highly illegal activity. Say hosting a guest in your house, and they're smuggling heroin.

These conversations always remind me of the "No Skateboarding! $5000 fine" signs in my car park. With such a ridiculously high amount it's obviously not enforced. They might as well make it a $500,000 fine.

[damrc]

Thanks for all the interesting feedback.

I guess I've just concluded that nobody really knows. I'll track my progress and update this post later.

What I plan to track is:

1. Duration I stay local
2. Duration I leave
3. Interval out of Singapore
4. VISA granted upon rentry (what stamp they give me).

FWIW
- I am a US Citizen.
- I have a fairly high networth for my age (not sure if this matters?)

Will let you know if any of those play a role in the stamps.

Here's hoping this will go smoothly.

[damrc]

Also commenting this thread seems related:

http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/ftopic96246.html

And this seems like a good analysis of my situation:
http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/postin ... e&p=651076

[the lynx]

To be honest, I'd be just as miffed that even couch-surfing is made illegal. But that's what being implied in the current news.

When I first visited Singapore, I also put up with friends' places. I fail to see why this is now not allowed.

[x9200]

What I have seen so far was a proof of being "illegal" for HDB. Yet I have to see any solid confirmation for this alleged illegality for the private properties.
For example, what is listed in the mentioned AirBnB seem condo rooms/appartments in vast vast majority. Coincident?

Payment-non-payment may have a bit to do with taxation and running a de facto business so be illegal with no link to rental as such.

[sundaymorningstaple]

What I have seen so far was a proof of being "illegal" for HDB. Yet I have to see any solid confirmation for this alleged illegality for the private properties.
For example, what is listed in the mentioned AirBnB seem condo rooms/appartments in vast vast majority. Coincident?

Payment-non-payment may have a bit to do with taxation and running a de facto business so be illegal with no link to rental as such.

http://www.ura.gov.sg/uol/buy-property/ ... ntial.aspx

When asked about these listings, an Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) spokesman said private residential properties can be rented out or sublet - but only for periods of six months or more.

This is because 'transient occupiers' may disturb and inconvenience other residents in the development, she said.

She said the URA will investigate such cases, including inspecting the premises to determine their use. Those caught will be issued an enforcement notice, and if they continue such unauthorised use of the property beyond the date in the notice, they stand to be fined up to $200,000, or jailed up to a year, or both.

[AngMoG]

Thanks for all the interesting feedback.

I guess I've just concluded that nobody really knows. I'll track my progress and update this post later.

What I plan to track is:

1. Duration I stay local
2. Duration I leave
3. Interval out of Singapore
4. VISA granted upon rentry (what stamp they give me).

FWIW
- I am a US Citizen.
- I have a fairly high networth for my age (not sure if this matters?)

Will let you know if any of those play a role in the stamps.

Here's hoping this will go smoothly.

That's the gist of it... nobody knows, because the policies are not exactly transparent. There are people who have been told to leave the country and not return for a while (generally at least a year) on 2nd re-entry. Then, there are people who do this for years, including staying >180 days per year, and able to get away with it.

Being western helps, as does high net worth. That is about as much as you will be able to learn without trying it yourself

[Wd40]

Wah! SMS, the site you have linked is associated with the same company as bird cage liner, I thought those links are not allowed, thats why I didnt provide the link earlier.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Didn't think about it, but I can change it to Hardwarezone as well as it's been posted in about 8 locations. I am rather surprised that the script doesn't have that particular URL programmed into it yet though. Maybe I'll pick another and edit my post.

[x9200]

Thanks SMS for the link, at last something solid.
Link to the source:
http://www.ura.gov.sg/uol/buy-property/ ... ntial.aspx

[sundaymorningstaple]

x9200, I actually posted the URL link up here sometime last year as well, or at least I though I did. Let me check.....

Well, none of the searches work anymore as URA has just revamped it's website and none of the old links work anymore.