Things to Consider before Renting

Finding a place to stay is easy, the difficult part is having an enjoyable and comfortable stay all the way till your lease expires. There are several aspects that you need to factor in before renting a place of your own.

1.      Budget

You need to take into account how much you are willing to fork out for on your rental every month. Make sure the monthly payment is a sum that will not take a toll on you in the long run as you will most probably stay in the chosen place for a year or two. Take into consideration what kind of furniture and facilities you are paying for when dealing with the landlord, whether the air conditioner you are paying for can only be switched on at certain timings or the whole day.

2.      Location

Location is among the most important factor you have to keep in mind when looking for a place to rent. You need to calculate the travel distance and timing for you to commute between your workplace and home. Also, do check and see if your future home is public transport friendly. You probably don’t want to have to walk 20mins to the nearest MRT station and drenched yourself in sweat before you reach your office.

3.      Neighbourhood

Choosing a suitable neighbourhood to live in more often than not depends on one’s lifestyle, workplace location and family situation. Singapore is divided into 5 main areas; North, South, East, West and Central with different suburbs ranging from expatriates community to industrial area to high-end living to the bustling business districts and more. Say, for instance the East Coast which is not so far from the city offers a coastal lifestyle with beach facilities and parks suitable for families with children.

4.      Amenities

If you are looking at HDBs, the amenities provided are considerably less since it’s the cheapest accommodation option around. There will usually be a coffee shop, clinic, grocery store and community hall around the clusters of HDBs. On the other hand, condominiums offer facilities more to personal entertainment, usually ranging from swimming pools to barbeque pits, gym centre and security patrols. Understand your own needs and see which kind of amenities suits you best.   

5.      Ventilation

Ventilation is often an issue overlooked by many rental tenants during house or room hunting. Given that Singapore is a hot and humid country 365days of the year, one should look for a room with good airing. Opt for rooms with windows that can actually be opened and check with the landlord if fans, air cooler or air conditioner will be provided.

6.      Internet access

With the lack of free wifi access across Singapore and the steep cost of mobile data usage, it is definitely a must to get wifi access included into your rental package. Try the wifi signal in the room you are looking to rent and see if the connection is strong enough or you will be at a disadvantage of paying for a lousy disconnecting wifi.   

7.      Agency fee

This depends on whether you deem it necessary to have someone who will be responsible with regards to the place you will be renting if anything occurs. If you engage a property agent, they will help you settle everything from securing a house with your specifications in mind, look for trusted and reliable landlords, amicable neighbourhood, reasonable payment terms and all sorts of nitty gritty details. Do clarify on the commission fees you would need to pay with the agent representing you beforehand.  

If you are still on the lookout for a place to stay in, we will be more than happy to help!

Call us now at +65 6848 1280 or visit www.onehome.sg for more info.

(c) Yee Woan Fung, Yvvone