Renting in Singapore: What Do Foreigners Need to Prepare?

To ensure a smooth rental process, foreigners should understand relevant matters and prepare some crucial documents before moving to Singapore. This Housebell article will provide you with relevant information to make your renting journey easier and more seamless.

Financial Planning

Before you start looking for a place to rent, first determine your budget. The type of housing (HDB flat or condominium) and the location are two factors that significantly affect the price. Generally speaking, under similar other conditions, condominiums are more expensive than HDB flats; properties in popular, bustling areas with convenient amenities are more expensive . Besides, the rent is also affected by factors such as the age of the building, interior design, and size of the property, so it requires a case - by - case analysis.

The following is the approximate level of rent in Singapore, for reference only.

A single room

*monthly rent in Singapore dollars

●Master Bedroom: A master bedroom with an attached private bathroom.
●Common Bedroom: A second bedroom where you may share a bathroom with other roommates.

A whole house

*monthly rent in Singapore dollars

Besides the rent, the following costs also need to be considered.

★Deposit
A 2-month deposit is charged for a standard 2-year lease

★Rental stamp duty
For a 2-year lease, it's 0.4% of the total rent during the entire lease period. It must be paid within 14 days from the date the lease is signed, otherwise, a penalty will be imposed.

★Utilities and Internet Fees
If you rent the whole house, you need to set up your own utilities and Internet accounts and pay for them by yourself; if you rent a room, these fees are generally included in the rent, and the landlord pays for them within the stated limit.

★Air Conditioner Cleaning Fee
The air conditioner needs to be cleaned every three months. Each air conditioner costs about S$25 - S$30. Generally, you need to find a qualified air - conditioning company to sign an annual contract within one month after moving in and show it to the landlord for record - keeping. Keep the receipts for each air - conditioner cleaning. Sometimes, when the air - conditioner breaks down, the landlord may ask for recent maintenance receipts. When checking out, some landlords will also check all the receipts during the entire lease period.

★Agent Fee
If you ask a tenant's agent to help you find a place to rent, the agent fee is generally one month's rent + GST (9% Goods and Services Tax) for a two - year lease, and 0.5 month's rent + GST (9% Goods and Services Tax) for a lease of one year or less.

Lifestyle Requirements

When renting a place in Singapore, landlords will have certain requirements or restrictions on tenants' living habits. For example, whether pets are allowed in the house. Also, if you rent a single room, there may be restrictions on the use of common areas; cooking may not be allowed, or only light cooking / heavy cooking may be permitted; there may be restrictions on the frequency of using the washing machine, and so on. These specific requirements will be stated in the lease, so you should read and confirm them carefully before signing the tenancy agreement.

Documents Needed for Renting

For foreigners renting in Singapore, the following documents are usually required:

Valid Visa

★Employment Pass
★Student Pass
★Work Permit
★S Pass
★Dependant’s  Pass
★Long-Term Visit Pass

Note that in some cases, you may not have a physical visa when you are ready to pay the deposit. However, if you already hold a valid In - Principle Approval (IPA) issued by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) or the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), you can pay the deposit with the landlord's consent. Just make sure that you have obtained your visa card when you move in. But be cautious, if you sign a lease while holding just an IPA and for any reason you don't get the visa card, the deposit will be forfeited by the landlord.

In addition, all tenants are obliged to cooperate with the landlord, the landlord's agent, and their own agent to verify their visa cards. This rule is formulated by the government and requires a four - party (tenant, landlord, both agents) joint verification, and this rule is also stated in the standard contract.

Passport

During the stay, if the tenant and other occupants' passports or visas are updated, the tenant is obliged to promptly notify the landlord of the relevant updated information.

For more information about renting in Singapore, you can refer to the Housebell's articles:

Singapore Rental Guide: Easily Find Your Ideal Home
Tenants must see：Singapore Tenancy Agreement and Key Terms

It is recommended to use Housebell to find houses，which is reliable, convenient, and hassle-free. If you have any questions, you can contact the online customer service, and they will provide you with professional assistance.