Singapore's vibrant food delivery scene means lots of packages arriving. Establish rules about receiving deliveries for absent housemates, sharing delivery fees for group orders, and storing food in shared fridges. Label your items clearly and respect others' food. Consider setting up group orders for popular restaurants to save on delivery fees.
Be wary of listings with prices significantly below market rate, requests for payment before viewing, or landlords who can't meet in person. Verify ownership through property records if possible. Never transfer large sums without seeing the property and meeting the actual landlord or authorized agent. Use secure payment methods and get proper receipts for all transactions.
Studio entertaining requires creativity due to limited space. Use folding furniture and multi-purpose items to accommodate guests. Consider the noise impact on neighbors in compact buildings. Overnight guests will need to sleep in your main living space, which affects your privacy. Plan gatherings during times when space can be reconfigured for socializing.
Place your desk in the living area and keep the bedroom for sleep. Close the bedroom door for mental separation. Good habits around screen time help the space feel restful after hours.
Landed houses often have higher utility consumption due to larger spaces and multiple floors. Air-conditioning costs can be significant with bigger rooms and common areas. Water usage may be higher with garden watering. Discuss how utilities are split among housemates and whether there are caps or guidelines for usage to avoid bill shock.
Use multi-functional furniture like storage beds, extendable dining tables, and wall-mounted desks. Create defined zones with room dividers or furniture placement. Utilize vertical storage, under-stair spaces, and consider whether the living area can double as a workspace or guest room when needed.
Yes, usually the dining area in a 4-bedroom flat is sized for a big family. You can typically fit a 6- or 8-seater table comfortably. Some layouts have a separate dining room, others a large combined living/dining area. Either way, you should have space for everyone to eat together. It’s wise to measure if you own a huge dining set, but generally these units accommodate family dining well.
Older HDB flats have a rubbish chute inside – make sure its lid seals well to keep out odours and pests. Newer flats use a shared chute on each floor. If your flat is near that chute, you might catch an occasional smell, but it’s usually minor if kept clean.