If you ask renters why they pass or proceed, the answers are consistent. It comes down to five things: price, location, property condition, furnishing, and the landlord factor. Get these right and you’ll get more good enquiries, faster decisions, and fewer empty weeks.
This guide is simple and practical. Keep it honest. Show your place as it really is.
1) Price: be competitive, then be clear
Set a fair price first. Then explain it clearly.
How to price competitively (plain and simple)
- Check nearby listings. Look at 5–10 places near yours (about 500 m), same type and size. Note their asking rents.
- Adjust in your head. Higher floor, newer reno, or nearer to MRT may rent higher. Lower floor or basic unit may need a lower price.
- Think about furnishing. Fully furnished units often rent higher. If yours is basic, price a little lower or offer to add key items for a small top-up.
- Pick a small sweetener. For example: a slight discount for a 2-year lease, earlier move-in, or small touch-ups before handover. Say this upfront.
Make the price crystal clear
- Say the real monthly cost. “$X base + about $Y utilities by usage.” If there is a cap, name the cap.
- Show proof. Add a recent utilities bill screenshot (hide personal info).
- List all one-off fees. Security deposit, access cards, parking, lift booking, move-out cleaning if any.
- Use one clean line. “Total Monthly Cost: $X base + ~$Y utilities; no agent fee; 1 month deposit.”
Quick win: Put a screenshot of the latest utilities bill in your photo gallery. A 10-second look can save 10 messages later.
2) Location: make the commute and daily life obvious
Most renters care about travel time and simple daily needs.
- Commute in one line. “8–10 min walk to MRT; about 15 min to Raffles Place with 1 change.”
- Bus info if useful. Name the bus service and how often it comes at peak hours.
- Daily life in two lines. Nearest supermarket, hawker centre, gym, and park.
- Be honest about noise. “Faces inner garden; light road noise at peak hours” is better than silence. Honest context builds trust.
Quick win: Add one photo that shows the real walking route to the MRT or bus stop. It answers the “how far is it really?” question.
3) Property condition: clean, working, and dry
Viewings are won or lost here. Small faults push people away because they fear bigger problems later.
- Fix fast “nos.” Re-silicone mouldy edges, descale showerheads, tighten loose handles, change flickering bulbs, and clear slow drains.
- Show good water flow. Test taps and showers. If pressure is strong, say so.
- Keep smells out. Deep-clean the fridge and washer gasket. Empty bins. Air the place before viewing.
- Check your inventory. If you provide appliances, make sure they power on and do the job. If you know the model year, share it.
Quick win: Make a one-page “Condition & Handover Notes” with small fixes done and last servicing dates. Send it after the viewing to keep momentum.
4) Furnishing: give the essentials, offer options
Most renters want essentials that fit well, not fancy decor.
- Bedroom basics. Bed with a good mattress, wardrobe with enough hanging space, desk and chair that actually fit the room, blackout curtains.
- Kitchen basics. Full-size fridge, clean hob, working hood, a few decent pots, pans, and knives.
- Be flexible. Say what you can add or remove on request. “Can add a second desk” or “Can remove sofa if you have your own.”
- Share sizes. Give simple room measurements. Add a photo with a tape measure so renters can plan.
Quick win: Add a simple floor plan with measurements. Hand-drawn is fine if neat. Clarity sells.
5) The landlord factor: responsive, fair, and easy to work with
This is often the tie-breaker. Renters pick homes where the landlord is steady and clear.
- Reply fast. Aim to reply the same day. Even “Noted, will update tonight” helps you stay on their shortlist.
- Speak plainly about repairs. Say how to report issues, who books the vendor, and typical timelines. Repeat key points in the agreement.
- Be open during viewing. Share the good and the small quirks. People can live with quirks they know about.
Quick win: End every viewing with “Any questions?” Answer on the spot. Send a short summary message after, so they can share it with a partner or housemate.
One-page listing template you can reuse
Headline: Bright 2BR near MRT, move-in ready, flexible furnishings
Price: $X base + ~$Y utilities by usage; no agent fee; 1 month deposit
Location: 8–10 min walk to MRT; ~15 min to Raffles Place (1 change). Supermarket and hawker within 5 min.
Condition: Recent fixes: re-silicone in both baths, new mixer tap, serviced air-con (Jan 2025).
Furnishing: Queen bed + wardrobe + desk per room; blackout curtains; full-size fridge and working hood. Can add second desk or remove sofa on request.