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Seven rental tips for expatriates in Singapore

Published

8 years ago

on

By ezbuy.sg
Let’s be frank: cheap rent in Singapore less probable than a non-racist Ku Klux Klan meeting. This is one of the most expensive cities in the world for expatriates, and also one of the most expensive property markets in the world. So check out our handy list, and you won’t have to decide which kidney you don’t need:
1. Understand the district system
When picking a place to rent in Singapore, it’s important to understand district codes. These district codes refer to the first two digits of the area’s postal code. These codes can tell you whether the rental unit is in the Core Central Region (CCR), Rest of Central Region (RCR), or Outside of Central Region (OCR).
OCR properties are the cheapest to rent, whereas many CCR cost enough to make a cocaine dealer balk. District codes are as follows:
CCR – Districts 9, 10, 11, and Sentosa
This is close to areas like Orchard Road, Tanglin, and River Valley. These areas can be thought of as ‘downtown Singapore’. Rent here is affordable, provided you’re the sort who rinses with champagne in the morning.
RCR – Districts in the central region, but outside of district 9, 10, and 11 (e.g. Districts 1 and 2)
These are areas close to the Central Business District (CBD). This is the ‘mid-range’ of Singapore’s rental properties, in terms of price. Chances are, this is what your housing allowance permits.
OCR – The remaining districts (any number outside of 1, 2, 9, 10, 11, and Sentosa).
These can be in the north, south, east, or west; but they are the areas where most Singaporeans live. These areas have the most affordable rent; so if you don’t have a housing allowance then look here.
2. Chances are, a ‘central location’ will be overrated to you
If you come from Australia, or the United States, or any of the billion or so countries bigger than ours, here’s a tip: rethink how important that ‘central location’ is. Singapore is small enough to walk across in a day.
Odds are, even if you live in the OCR, you’re at most an hour away from town (and that’s with public transport).
Singapore also tries to make each district as self-sustaining as possible. Just about every neighbourhood has its own mall, eateries, cinema, parks, and so forth. A central location may not be as necessary as you imagine.
3. Sometimes, the pricey properties have less accessibility
Some high rent areas, such as the landed properties in Bukit Timah, actually have worse accessibility in terms of public transport.
As 82 per cent of Singaporeans live in public housing, that’s where most of our efforts go when setting up train and bus stations. Furthermore, property developers sometimes ignore lack of public transport for luxury projects – it’s assumed that if you can afford a $2 million condo, you can afford to drive.
If you’re not interested in renting a car here*, do consider that when choosing where to rent.
(*Renting a car in Singapore is expensive, seldom necessary, and a good way to develop anger management issues when finding parking space).
4. Seriously consider the benefits of unfurnished property
One of the most common disputes with landlords involves the security deposit.
Now the more stuff the landlord has in the house, the more likely you are to lose said deposit. All it takes is one tear on a leather sofa, or one little dent on the wall; you’ll get a reparations bill that looks like something the UN would endorse on al-Assad.
To avoid that, consider getting an unfurnished unit. It’s not hard to ‘do up’ the unit; if you get furniture on ezbuy.sg, for example, you can get a prime membership and get whole beds shipped over for $2.99.
If you are going to settle in for a while (say two or three years), then this is preferable; some landlords will even buy over your stuff when it’s time for you to go home.
5. Understand mature versus non-mature estates
You will sometimes read about property being marked as ‘in a mature estate’. You may also be wondering why older properties (often in mature estates) have higher rental rates than newer ones.
A mature estate, such as Queenstown or Marine Parade, has been developed over many decades. There are more amenities present in these areas, such as malls, libraries, supermarkets, and so forth.
Non-mature estates (or new estates) are still being built up. But the key advantages of these areas are lower rent, less crowding, and properties that are generally newer. If you’re the sort who needs space, these estates may be the ones to go for – the roads are often less congested, the rent is lower, and you won’t be pressed between sweaty chests and backs when shopping at the mall on weekends.
6. There can be two property agents involved
A common point of confusion among expats is our /two property agent/ system. In Singapore, the agent who represents the seller cannot also represent the buyer, or vice versa.
As such, you as a tenant have your own property agent, and the landlords have their own property agent.The commissions for your property agent, as a tenant, works as follows:

  • For rental rates of $3,500 and above, and a lease of two years, you usually don’t have to pay a

commission. The landlord will pay their agent’s commission, and that agent will split that commission with yours.

  • For rental rates of $3,500 and above, and a lease of one year, you usually pay your agent half a

month’s rent.

  • For rental rates below $3,500, and a lease of two years, you usually pay your agent one month’s rent.
  • For rental rates below $3,500 and a lease of one year, you usually pay your agent half a month’s rent

Note that these are not actual legal rules; they’re just conventional rates, and can be negotiated. Also, neither you nor your landlord are required work through an agent. Some landlords will handle the process themselves, as do some tenants.
But if you’ve never rented in Singapore before, use an agent the first time around and learn how it’s done.
7. Drop by the property a second time, at night, to scout the area
Before signing the lease, drop by the property a second time if you can. You don’t have to go in, just hang around outside the area; this will give you a sense of the noise levels.
Some areas are peaceful at noon, when everyone’s at work; but they’ll sound like an explosion in a cymbal factory any time after 7pm. You’ll also want to get a sense of how congested the roads and nearby malls / eateries are – it’s great when there are 10 restaurants across the road, but less great when there’s a one hour wait time for any table.
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Lifestyle

Living modestly in Singapore on $10 a day: 27-year-old Malaysian man shares insights

In Singapore, a 27-year-old Malaysian man has gained attention on TikTok for his frugal approach to life while working in the bustling city. Jonathan Lim, a civil engineer earning around S$3,700 a month, shares his strategy for spending less than S$10 a day.

He divides his week between Singapore and Malaysia, staying in a hostel and focusing on economical food choices.

Despite some concerns about the extremeness of his thriftiness, many commend his financial discipline, while others suggest a slightly more flexible approach.

Published

12 months ago

on

14 September 2023

By

SINGAPORE: A 27-year-old man from Malaysia, garnered the interest of social media users on TikTok due to his method of budgeting and practising a frugal lifestyle while employed in the bustling city of Singapore.

Many are left wondering whether it’s feasible to lead a modest life in Singapore without significant sacrifices.

Malaysian civil engineer, Jonathan Lim, has provided some insights through his TikTok documenting how he manages to spend less than S$10 a day while working in the city.

The video’s caption read: “Part 6: Is spending 10 dollars enough for a day working in Singapore?”

His TikTok content primarily revolves around detailing his expenses in Singapore, excluding the costs related to accommodation.

@jonlzx

Part 6: Is spending 10dollars enough for a day working in SINGAPORE? #sgvlog #worklife #minivlog #fypシ #simplelife

♬ 千与千寻 口琴版 – 口琴伟宝

Hybrid Work Arrangement

Lim, who earns about S$3,700 a month as a civil engineer in Singapore, follows a unique hybrid work arrangement.

He commutes from his home in Kulai, Johor, to Singapore three days a week, with the remaining days dedicated to remote work.

Lim strategically divides his time, with more than half of his week spent in his Johor home.

During the workweek, specifically on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, he opts to stay at a capsule hostel in Singapore.

This arrangement serves the purpose of reducing his expenses on permanent lodging in Singapore, although it necessitates regular commuting between Malaysia and Singapore.

His weekly schedule commences with a Monday morning journey to Singapore at 6 a.m., where he resides in the hostel for two nights.

Hostel Living and Food Choices

During his days in Singapore, Lim stays in a capsule hostel, which costs him about S$35 (approximately US$25.74) a night.

While this arrangement doesn’t include food expenses, the hostel provides free breakfast, helping him save on at least one meal each day.

Lim’s food choices are budget-friendly, focusing on cai fan (economic rice) for lunch and dinner, which costs him about S$3.60 per meal.

Occasionally, he indulges in items like bread and soya bean milk, emphasizing the affordability of such food options in Singapore.

For exercise, he opts for a cost-effective approach, eating grilled chicken drumsticks purchased from FairPrice, and running at public stadiums.

While a dinner consisting solely of protein might not seem substantial to some, Lim clarifies that the two drumsticks he purchased were exceptionally large, providing more than enough sustenance for an adult like him.

Therefore, when factoring in his daily transport costs of S$3, Lim’s daily expenses in Singapore amount to S$13.10, excluding accommodation expenses.

Balancing Thriftiness and Enjoyment

In his most recent TikTok video, Lim responded to both favorable and critical comments regarding his lifestyle of managing on S$10 or more per day in Singapore.

He expressed his belief that such frugal practices can become a standard way of life.

https://www.tiktok.com/@jonlzx/video/7276135975355485441?embed_source=121355059%2C121351166%2C121331973%2C120811592%2C120810756%3Bnull%3Bembed_blank&refer=embed&referer_url=mothership.sg%2F2023%2F09%2Fmalaysian-10-dollars-a-day-singapore%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR1o-WKyDvXTTGxKWlXGd9u3xXdCO_4zyBOMRSF13kzzdcWs5dU2QI4E_9g&referer_video_id=7276135975355485441

Moreover, he aimed to dispel the misconception that his approach is detrimental to his well-being and happiness, emphasizing that he doesn’t sacrifice enjoyment to save a few dollars.

He acknowledges the trade-offs, such as spending time away from family and loved ones.

However, he sees this period as an opportunity for professional growth.

While Lim’s lifestyle is not his everyday routine, it highlights how one can manage expenses in an expensive city like Singapore.

He also appreciates the safety and amenities the city offers, such as safe streets for late-night jogging.

In the long run, Lim said he will need to decide whether to settle long-term in Singapore or return to Malaysia.

Supporters cheer Lim’s thrifty approach

The majority of people expressed their support for Lim’s frugal lifestyle, offering him their best wishes and advising him to disregard those who ridicule his way of life.

“Good to start saving up at a young age,” they said, while also cautioning against taking frugality to such an extreme that it becomes excessively absurd.

However, some users believe that Lim should consider a slightly higher expenditure than his current approach, asserting that life is too short to subject oneself to such deprivation.

“Can add another $2 la, don’t have to thrift like that,” one user said.

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Lifestyle

Rachel Wan speaks out on father’s solitary passing in Singapore hospital due to staffing shortages

Rachel Wan of ‘Kin’ highlighted her father’s solitary passing in a Singapore hospital due to understaffing in an Instagram post. She contrasted Singapore’s overworked healthcare culture with Australia’s, emphasizing the need for a better work-life balance in the nation.

Published

1 year ago

on

29 August 2023

By

SINGAPORE: On 25 August, Rachel Wan, the 26-year-old star of ‘Kin’, took to Instagram to share a poignant account of her father’s passing, revealing that he had died alone in a Singapore hospital due to understaffing issues.

Wan’s emotional revelation sheds light on the need for a transformation in the prevailing culture of overworking in the nation.

Disparities between healthcare work in Singapore and Australia

In a candid Instagram video, Wan expressed her long-standing desire to address a topic she finds deeply meaningful.

She remarked, “I came to Australia because I felt like there was a better work-life balance here,” before unveiling a recent discovery that profoundly affected her.

The ‘Kin’ star recounted her encounter with a nurse who had previously worked in the same Singapore hospital where her father had spent his final moments.

This nurse later moved to Australia, much like Wan herself.

A stark contrast between working conditions in the two countries emerged.

Wan unveiled that in Singapore, nurses might be tasked with managing “up to 12 patients at any given time”. Conversely, in Australia, nurses are limited to caring for six patients each.

Moreover, Australian healthcare staff are afforded designated rest periods between shifts, a practice reportedly absent in Singapore.

Heartbreaking account of Wan’s father’s passing

Wan’s emotions were palpable as she recounted the circumstances leading to her father’s demise, underscoring the fact that he passed away in solitude at the hospital without any loved ones by his side.

Her poignant Instagram tribute suggested that he passed away in March 2022.

Describing the events of his passing day, she detailed how her father had been transferred from the emergency ward to the general ward as his time grew short.

However, to access him, Wan and her family had to undergo a Covid-19 test, mandatory at the time for hospital visits. Tragically, her father passed away during the testing process.

Distressingly, no one from the hospital informed them of his passing.

Wan expressed her shock, revealing that they discovered his lifeless body alone in the ward without any staff present.

When she inquired about the lack of communication, a doctor allegedly cited understaffing as the reason.

Wan stressed the importance of sharing her experience, noting that the healthcare sector is not the only one grappling with such challenges in Singapore.

She asserted that overworking should not be celebrated as an achievement and urged for a shift towards a healthier work-life balance in the nation.

Her Instagram post resonated with many, drawing a flood of comments from netizens who shared their similar experiences and nurses who opened up about the demanding work environment they face.

Amidst the discussions, Wan clarified that her father’s passing was due to oesophageal cancer, not Covid-19.

A plea for empathy and understanding

In response to differing opinions, including some who highlighted Singapore’s relative advantages compared to other countries, Wan emphasized that her intention was to raise awareness about the lack of work-life balance in Singapore.

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Influencer and doctor Zoen Tay also contributed to the discourse, acknowledging room for improvement in both countries’ healthcare systems.

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Wan extended her empathy to Singaporean nurses, finding a sense of healing in realizing that her father wasn’t neglected due to a lack of care, but rather due to the strain of their demanding workload.

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