Check that the kitchen has adequate ventilation to prevent cooking smells from overwhelming the living space. Ensure sufficient counter space for meal prep and storage for kitchen essentials. Look for a proper range hood and consider the proximity to your sleeping area. Some studios have kitchenettes with limited cooking capabilities - confirm this meets your culinary needs.
For unit-specific issues, contact your landlord first. For common area problems or facility issues, you can report directly to condo management. Some condos have apps or online portals for maintenance requests. Understand the difference between landlord responsibilities (your unit) and management responsibilities (common areas) to report issues to the right party efficiently.
Aside from rent, you cover all ongoing costs. Budget for utilities (electricity, water, gas if any) and internet each month. If the unit has air-con, plan for regular servicing. You’re also responsible for minor maintenance like replacing light bulbs or filters. Basically, all household bills and upkeep fall to you.
In a landed house, residents handle all the cleaning. Large spaces (living rooms, kitchen, stairs) mean more work, so housemates should set a chore routine or hire a cleaner together. Agreeing on who cleans what (and when) keeps the big home comfortable for everyone.
HDB regularly upgrades older estates with new lifts, facades, or facilities. While improvements are beneficial long-term, they can cause temporary noise, dust, and access disruptions. Check if any upgrading is planned during your lease period and how it might affect your daily routine and rent.
Multi-story landed houses can have complex privacy dynamics with bedrooms on different levels. Consider noise transmission between floors, whether your room has direct access or requires passing through common areas, and how bathroom sharing works across floors. Upper floor rooms may offer more privacy but require consideration of stairs and emergency access.
Request to see the landlord's NRIC and property ownership documents or tenancy agreement if they're a main tenant. Check property records through official channels if needed. Be wary of landlords who refuse to meet in person, demand cash-only payments, or pressure for immediate decisions. Legitimate landlords will provide proper documentation and allow reasonable verification time.
Know your landlord's emergency contact and preferred repair service providers. For urgent issues like water leaks or electrical problems, act quickly to prevent damage and notify your landlord immediately. Keep receipts for emergency repairs - some landlords reimburse reasonable emergency costs. Understand what constitutes an emergency versus routine maintenance that can wait.
