Welcome
to Singapore!
We offer a comprehensive relocation services for
expatriates relocating to Singapore. Our Relocation
Specialists have the extensive experience in managing
corporate relocation and great insights into the problems
faced by expatriates in their new destination. This
has placed us in a unique position to help minimize
the trauma of the settling-in process. We will help
you and your family source for accommodation and re-establish
comfortable lifestyle in Singapore soonest possible.
If you are intending to rent or buy an apartment or
house in Singapore, let us help you and your family
smoothen the relocation process and take out the stress
out of finding your new home.
Expatriates Relocation
Guide
A) Budget
– Work out a budget allocating to your housing options
in Singapore and determine whether it would be a personal
lease or corporate lease whereby your company will
pay for the monthly rental. The budget set by you
will determine the type of housing, its location and
size of premises that is suitable for you.
B) Location
- Location is one of the key factors to consider before
relocating to Singapore. It will determine the convenience
for you and your family by taking into consideration
the place where you work, where your spouse works,
and where your kids will study. This would facilitate
easy access for you and your family members’ respective
destinations.
C) Facilities
– Most apartments in Singapore come with facilities
such as swimming pool, gymnasium, tennis court, hot
& cold spa pool, Jacuzzi, Function Room, BBQ area,
etc. As different people have different requirement
in their lifestyle, therefore, evaluate your needs
and wants like what kind of facilities you would require
will help finding the right housing that match your
lifestyle.
D) Amenities
- The convenience and accessibility to amenities such
as public transportation, supermarkets, shops, etc.,
is also critical to your daily life.
The Leasing
Process:
1. Select a Relocation Specialist
Optional, but recommended. A professional,
caring and dedicated relocation specialist will not
only help you to find the right property, but also
ensure you get the right location & price, ensure
all small details are covered prior to renting, guide
you through the documentation process and taking &
handing over of property.
2. Location and Price
Decide on the right location is very important
and it will determine the convenience for you and
your family. Price - Budgeting yourself will also
evaluate the size areas of the apartments or houses
that are suitable for you.
3. Documentation
After you have decided to rent your ideal
property and you will need to prepare the following:
- Photocopied passport
- Photocopied employment pass
- One month's rental for the good faith deposit
Your relocation specialist will then prepare the necessary
documents for you such as the Letter of Intent and
Tenancy Agreement.
4. Letter of Intent
The Letter of Intent, LOI for short, is a
letter proposing your intention to lease the property.
It will also state your requirements to the landlord.
You should take note of the following:
a. Diplomatic
Clause
This clause is to safe-guard you in the event that
your employment is ceased or you are transferred to
another country such that you can terminate the lease
after 12 months by giving 2 months notice. Thereafter,
the security deposit will be refunded to you. Please
note that most landlords will only include the diplomatic
clause if the lease is more than a year.
b. Good Faith Deposit
This is the booking deposit; usually the amount is
equivalent to one month's rent. After the landlord
signed the Letter of Intent and accept this deposit,
he cannot rent the property to other party. This deposit
will become part of the security deposit or advance
rental after the Tenancy Agreement is signed.
c. Security Deposit
The amount of the security deposit is usually stated
in the Letter or Intent. The standard practice in
Singapore is usually one month's rent for every year
of lease. It will only be payable upon signing of
the Tenancy Agreement. When the lease term ends, the
deposit will be refunded without interest. However,
the landlord reserves the right to deduct from the
deposit all costs and expenses arising from the tenant
for breaching any of the covenants stated in the Tenancy
Agreement.
d. Term of Lease
In Singapore, the standard lease period is more than
1 year, with or without an option to renew the lease.
The lease renewal is usually for another 1 to 2 years.
For the lease renewal option, the landlord would normally
require that you give 2 or 3 months' advance notice
of your intention to renew. Most landlords will not
accept leases that are less than 1 year.
e. Your Requirements
Ensure that all your requirements and requests are
clearly stated in the Letter of Intent. For example,
such as requesting a new sofa, new bed or new washing
machine etc. After the landlord had signed the Letter
of Intent, he is bound by the LOI to provide you the
requests.
5. Tenancy Agreement
After the Letter of Intent is duly signed,
the landlord’s agent will prepare the Tenancy Agreement.
Any legal fees incurred for the drawing up of the
agreement is usually borne by the tenant. However,
if the landlord's agreement is acceptable, there will
usually not be any legal fees involved. You will need
to prepare the rest of the security deposit and advance
rental upon signing of the Tenancy Agreement.
- For 1 year lease - 1 month's deposit and 1 month's
advance rental.
- For 2 years lease - 2 month's deposit and 1 month's
advance rental.
6. Stamp Duty
The stamp duty on the original and duplicate
copies of the Tenancy Agreement shall be borne by
the tenant and paid forthwith.
7. Taking Over the Property
The landlord will prepare an Inventory List
on or before the day of handing over. Check the items
listed in the inventory. Check all electrical appliances,
air-con, lightings, water heater etc. If there is
anything unsatisfactory, do not panic; note it down
on the inventory. Even brand new houses have defects,
therefore be understanding and allow the landlord
to rectify it within a reasonable period.
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