Landed houses may require more frequent maintenance like roof repairs, plumbing work, or garden care that can disrupt daily routines. Understand notification procedures for maintenance work, temporary access restrictions, and how repairs might affect your room's utilities or accessibility. Plan accordingly for potentially longer disruption periods.
Landed houses can attract more pests (like mosquitoes, ants) since they’re at ground level and have gardens. Check for window screens and ask if regular pest control is done. Also look for water stains or damp spots that could signal roof or drainage leaks.
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.
Landed houses offer more space but lack condo facilities. You’ll likely get a bigger room and maybe a garden or yard to enjoy. However, you won’t have amenities like a pool or gym on-site. It’s a balance: more personal space and privacy in exchange for not having shared facilities.
Generally, yes. Landed homes are often in quieter residential areas, so public transport might be a longer walk away. If you don’t drive, check how close the nearest bus stop or MRT is. You’re gaining a quiet environment but giving up some convenience of easy transport access.
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.
Decide early on how to keep the place clean. Many housemates create a rotating chore schedule so each person takes turns cleaning common areas (like kitchen, bathroom) each week. Alternatively, some households chip in to hire a part-time cleaner for a couple of hours weekly or bi-weekly. The key is to ensure everyone is on board with the plan. Also, basic etiquette helps – everyone should clean up after themselves (wash your dishes, don’t leave personal stuff all over common spaces) so the home stays tidy day-to-day.
Yes, if you coordinate meeting times, choose a call zone, and use headphones. Ask about desk space in communal areas and quiet hours for focus. A shared calendar prevents overlapping calls echoing through thin doors or hallways.
Clarify with your housemates or landlord how utilities are divided. Often, all occupants split electricity, water, and internet bills equally. In some cases, if one person uses significantly more (e.g., air-con all day), they might pay a bit more. It’s important to agree on a fair arrangement upfront so everyone knows their share of the monthly bills. Keep bills visible to everyone and record transfers for transparency.
Common deductions include excessive cleaning needs, damaged furniture or fixtures, unpaid utilities, missing keys or access cards, and alterations made without permission. Normal wear and tear should not be deducted. Take detailed photos at move-in and move-out to document the property's condition. Keep all receipts for any repairs or replacements you make.