When relocating from overseas, arrange virtual viewings through video calls, request detailed photos and floor plans, and consider hiring a local representative for in-person viewings. Time viewings carefully around your arrival date, and prepare to make quick decisions in Singapore's fast-moving market. Have all required documents ready digitally, and consider temporary accommodation for your first few weeks to allow for proper in-person viewing before committing long-term.
Report common area issues like lift problems, lighting, or pest control to the town council. For unit-specific issues, coordinate with your landlord first. Understand which maintenance falls under town council responsibility versus landlord/tenant responsibility. Keep town council contact information handy for emergencies.
Save the signed agreement, inventory, payment receipts, and all maintenance chats. Store dated photos of existing defects and meter readings. Keeping a single folder prevents disputes and speeds up deposit discussions at the end.
With multiple rooms and potentially multiple air-con units, electricity costs can be substantial. Consider zoned cooling - only cool rooms that are in use. LED lighting throughout the unit reduces electricity consumption. If sharing with others, discuss fair splitting of utilities based on actual usage patterns rather than equal division.
Decide what’s communal and what’s personal, then stick to it. If you borrow, return items clean and promptly. Replace consumables you finish. A quick message before taking anything avoids misunderstandings and keeps goodwill in the household.
Verify the main tenant has landlord approval to sublet by asking to see the original lease agreement. For HDB rooms, check that the flat meets minimum occupancy requirements and ethnic quota rules. Ensure the person renting to you is actually authorized - meet them in person and verify their identity. Get everything in writing including house rules, deposit terms, and notice periods. Be wary of cash-only transactions or reluctance to provide documentation.
You can use a spare bedroom in many ways. It could be your home office or study, a guest room for visitors, or even a hobby room. Some people turn the extra room into a walk-in closet or extra storage. Essentially, it's bonus space you can adapt to your needs.
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.
