| Property Guide | | Moving house is a real sport in Singapore as many expats adapt their home to changes in their salary packages or family size. Most expats start out in an apartment in a condominium which has full facilities and where it is easier to meet new people. Some of your accommodation choices are: |
| Landed Property | | Any house with a garden is called
a landed property. Many of the larger properties
have swimming pools, if not landlords may be prepared to put
one in for an increase in rent. Alternatively you can
rent a portable pool on a monthly basis and these are up to
11m in length. |
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SOME HOME SEARCH TERMS
Fully Furnished (f/f):
Beds, dining table, chairs, lounge chairs, study table/chair,
curtains,lamps, kitchen appliances, built in cabinets, air condition,
water heaters,. Note: linen, cultery and crockery is often not
provided.
Partially Furnished (p/f)
Basic kitchen appliances, built in cabinets, basic lights, heater,
air-conditioning, and curtains.
Unfurnished (unf.):
Completely empty, sometimes kitchen, built in cabinets, perhaps
with air-conditioners, water heaters, (except HDB flats and
black and whites)
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Common terms you will hear when you
are looking to rent your home are;
- Semi-detached
Houses that have one common wall and will usually have their own garden. These can be up to three storeys.
- Linked House
One of a pair of landed houses joined by a common wall separating the car porches of the 2 houses. This common wall is the side wall of the car porches.
- Terrace Houses
Joined properties in a row. These homes do often have a paved or grassed garden. Townhouses in this style may have comunal facilities such as pool, playground and gym.
- Corner Terrace
The landed house at the end of a row of terrace houses that normally has a larger land area compared to the other terrace houses.
- Maisonette
A 2-level residential unit in a building. The 2 adjoining floors of the unit are connected by an internal staircase in the unit.
- Shophouses
The original Singapore style houses that would have been shops below and accommodation above. Many are renovated to include original features and tiling. outdoor areas are usually small but many have internal courtyards. These are generally found central or east.
- Detached Homes
They are bungalows with single, double or three storeys and a garden.
- Black and Whites
The majority are owned by the government now but were the orginal air force, army and civil homes of the British era. They range from small terraced homes to palacial properties on stilts. Many have huge gardens and servant quarters. These are let empty of air cons, fans and white good unless you buy them from the previous tenants.
- Cul-De-Sac House
A landed house at the end of a large turnaround dead-end road.
- Duplex House
A 2-storey house consisting of one residential unit on the first floor and another residential unit on the second floor sharing the same land. The second floor unit is accessible from a staircase outside the first floor unit.
- Townhouse
One in a row of not less than 3 residential units having ground contact and common ownership of the land.
- Cluster Housing
Cluster housing is a marriage between conventional landed houseing and condominium housing. All units have ground contact but with shared facilities similar to those found in condominiums. Cluster housing therefore have Strata Titles.
Meduim & High Rise Properties
- Apartments
Apartments can range from studios to expansive five bedroom flats set over one or two floors.
- Condominiums
Condos are properties that offer facilities which usually includes a gym, tennis court, function room, pool and small shop.
- Penthouses
Are less plentiful but if you need to be central they offer private outdoor living with some great views. Many of the newer ones have their own jacuzzi.
- HDB Flats
Singaporeans can rent their flats or sublet bedrooms to either Permanent Residents or Non-Citizens with employment or student passes or work permits. But there are restrictions so check these out first.
Housing Pros and Cons
HOUSE
| PROS | Tropical feel/garden
Privacy
Outdoor play area
Good for pets |
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| CONS | Care of garden
Isolation
Unwanted wildlife visits
Lack of leisure facilities |
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CONDOMINIUM
| PROS | 24 hour security
Leisure facilities
Easy socializing
Better locations |
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| CONS | Lack of privacy
Large car parks
Lifts to home
High-rise living |
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