Speaking of facilities, the next thing to consider when you are in the market for a new apartment is what facilities are available with it.
To start with, look at whether or not a condo has a gym, swimming pool, any kind of function room or barbecue zone available on the property. This can make all the difference and add value.
If you have a car, make sure that there is a parking space available for rent too - sometimes this isn’t included so it’s important to ask about this before signing anything.
Next up, check the appliances available in the apartment - a dishwasher, dryer, type of range (induction, gas or electric), the size of the fridge; all these are small things that might seem initially unimportant but eventually make our life easier and save our time.
If you are considering a fully or semi-furnished apartment, look at the furniture it has and whether it meets your needs. If you don’t like something, flag this at the stage of negotiations with your agent and landlord and ask them for a replacement or removal of the item. After you sign your contract, you will not be able to do this unless the item is completely spoiled or broken.
The year of construction can tell you a lot about the apartment. Newer apartments are obviously better quality than older ones, but tend to be smaller in size. Also, if you're looking for a rental that's not going to break your budget, older is often cheaper than newer.
However, there are some drawbacks to renting an older apartment too: maintenance issues might arise as time goes on. You might face issues with elevators not working occasionally, aircons that might require a replacement or more often chemical cleaning (that is usually covered by a tenant), outdated condo facilities, etc.
Location is super important when you're looking for an apartment. Check the neighborhood of your potential home, as well as how close it is to public transport, work, schools, and shops. Also check how far away are parks or other amenities that are important to your daily life.
There are several common clauses you should pay particular attention to before you sign the Tenancy Agreement.
A Diplomatic Clause (early termination of lease) is especially important if you are an expatriate and may get transferred to another country. It allows you to terminate the contract early without a penalty. The notice period is usually 2 months. Do take note, though, that the Diplomatic Clause can only be exercised after 12 months into the rental period (for a 2-year lease).
A Minor Repair Clause states the maximum amount per item that you’ll have to pay for any minor repairs, with the remaining cost to be covered by your landlord. This amount usually ranges from SGD150 to SGD300.
When you sign the Tenancy Agreement, you’ll also need to pay a Security Deposit to your landlord. The typical amount is 2 months rent for a 2-year lease.
We hope you find this information useful and we wish you the best of luck with finding your new home!
Top tips for renting an apartment
Renting an apartment is a big decision, and it's worth your time to do some research before you sign the lease. A landlord or agent might be able to provide you with some information about the area. For additional insights, we would recommend searching to see if the condo has a residents’ group on Facebook or real tenant reviews available online.
Here are some other things that you might find useful when looking for a new place.