You may be interested in:
Residential Condo/Landed Reviews
Condos & Landed Houses Near MRT Stations
Conservation Houses For Rent
Good Class Bungalows For Rent
Cluster Houses For Rent
Other Residential Properties For Rent
Contact Us For Further Enquiries Or Other Properties
or you can scroll down for Articles on Landed Houses
Residential Condo/Landed Reviews
Condos & Landed Houses Near MRT Stations
Conservation Houses For Rent
Good Class Bungalows For Rent
Cluster Houses For Rent
Other Residential Properties For Rent
Contact Us For Further Enquiries Or Other Properties
or you can scroll down for Articles on Landed Houses
Houses/properties are subject to availability without notice. Please contact us at 90041643 to check on which properties are available.
Why Rent These Properties Through Us?
We represent developers and corporate landlord and we can show you all the available units.
Save your time by viewing through us. You see everything at one go.
We always try to get best possible deal and price for you.
Proven professional and responsible landlords.
Our properties are in good condition.
Zero Agent Fees
Some of our properties come with special perks: Free $2000 dining vouchers, Free air-con servicing, Free weekday breakfast, Zero minor repair clause and more.
Why Rent These Properties Through Us?
We represent developers and corporate landlord and we can show you all the available units.
Save your time by viewing through us. You see everything at one go.
We always try to get best possible deal and price for you.
Proven professional and responsible landlords.
Our properties are in good condition.
Zero Agent Fees
Some of our properties come with special perks: Free $2000 dining vouchers, Free air-con servicing, Free weekday breakfast, Zero minor repair clause and more.
Refer a friend to us to rent any of these properties for 2 years and earn S$500 for every successful deal. Terms apply. Contact Us.
Landed Houses In The Central For Rent & Lease
Holland Grove View - Holland Grove (Rented Out)
Near Dover MRT Station 
Greenwood Crescent - Greenwood Crescent 4+1BR, 4661sf, $12,000
|
Chancery Grove - Chancery Lane 3/4BR, 2013-2939sf, $7,100up
Near Novena MRT Station 
Dunearn Road - Dunearn Road 7+1BR, 6100sf, $16,000
Near Tan Kah Kee MRT Station 
Jalan Jelita - Jln Jelita 5+1BR, 5090sf, $18,500
Near Holland Village MRT Station |
Good Class Bungalows In The Central For Rent & Lease
|
Landed Houses In The East For Rent & Lease
Jalan Tanah Puteh - Jalan Tanah Puteh 5+1BR, 7636sf, $13,000
Lucky Villas - Lucky Heights
|
Lotus At Paya Lebar - Lorong 41 Geylang 1/2/3/4BR, 527-1313sf, $2,790 (Mixed Development)
Near Paya Lebar MRT Station 
|
Zephyr Park - Sea Breeze Ave 4+1BR, 2600sf, $5,200
Near Simei MRT Station |
Landed Houses In The West For Rent & Lease
Hillview Court - Jalan Dermawan
Landed Houses In The North For Rent & Lease
Cabana - Sunrise Terrace 4+1BR, 2982-3057sf, $5,700
Springleaf Road - Springleaf Road 5+1,4664sf, $8,000
Dalla Vale - Springleaf Ave 4+1BR 3240-3369sf, $5,100up
Florida Park - Sunrise Walk 4+1BR, 3606sf, $5,700
|
Gerald Park - Gerald Drive 4+1BR, 2345sf, $4,600
Springhill Terrace - Sunrise Ave
Whiteshores - Punggol 17th Avenue 4+1BR, 5952-6059sf, $6,000up
|
Article 1: Landed Housing Area Part 1
Article 2: Landed Housing Area Part 2
Article 3: Importance Of A Landed House Landlord
Article 4: Pros And Cons Of Renting Landed Houses From Corporate Or Developer Landlords
Article 5: Should I engage a property salesperson(agent) to help me search for my rental landed house?
Article 6: For The Same Monthly Rental Budget, Which Is Better? A Good Class Bungalow Or A Super Penthouse?
Article 7: Why Do Some Expats Choose To Rent A Conservation Shophouse?
Article 8: Is There Any Difference Between Renting A Terrace House, Semi-D or Bungalow?
Article 9: What Should I Look Out For While Viewing A Landed Property?
Article 10: What To Look Out For In a Landed House Tenancy Agreement?
Article 11: Good Class Bungalows
Article 12: Holland Road Landed House Enclave
Article 13: Transportation In Landed Housing Estates
Article 14: Pets in Singapore's Landed House
Article 15: Bukit Timah Estate
Article 16: Possible Disputes With Landlords Of A Landed Property Tenancy And How To Avoid Them - Chemical Cleaning Of Air-Conditioners
Article 17: Landed Houses and Pest
Article 18: Most Mistakes Tenants Made in Renting Landed Properties
Article 19: Renting a Landed House Versus Renting a Condominium
Article 20 - Renting a landed house at Pasir Panjang
Article 21 - Are landed Houses in Singapore prone to floods?
Article 22 - What’s the cost involved in tenant renting a landed property?
Article 23 - Landed properties or houses on higher grounds
Article 24 - The Lure of Bukit Timah landed housing - The Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
Article 25 - What factors affect the rental price of a landed house in Singapore?
Article 26 - The Holland landed housing enclave versus Bukit Timah
Article 27 - Landed residential house for rent in district 1
Article 28 - Landed residential house for rent in district 2
Article 29 - Landed house for rent in district 3
Article 2: Landed Housing Area Part 2
Article 3: Importance Of A Landed House Landlord
Article 4: Pros And Cons Of Renting Landed Houses From Corporate Or Developer Landlords
Article 5: Should I engage a property salesperson(agent) to help me search for my rental landed house?
Article 6: For The Same Monthly Rental Budget, Which Is Better? A Good Class Bungalow Or A Super Penthouse?
Article 7: Why Do Some Expats Choose To Rent A Conservation Shophouse?
Article 8: Is There Any Difference Between Renting A Terrace House, Semi-D or Bungalow?
Article 9: What Should I Look Out For While Viewing A Landed Property?
Article 10: What To Look Out For In a Landed House Tenancy Agreement?
Article 11: Good Class Bungalows
Article 12: Holland Road Landed House Enclave
Article 13: Transportation In Landed Housing Estates
Article 14: Pets in Singapore's Landed House
Article 15: Bukit Timah Estate
Article 16: Possible Disputes With Landlords Of A Landed Property Tenancy And How To Avoid Them - Chemical Cleaning Of Air-Conditioners
Article 17: Landed Houses and Pest
Article 18: Most Mistakes Tenants Made in Renting Landed Properties
Article 19: Renting a Landed House Versus Renting a Condominium
Article 20 - Renting a landed house at Pasir Panjang
Article 21 - Are landed Houses in Singapore prone to floods?
Article 22 - What’s the cost involved in tenant renting a landed property?
Article 23 - Landed properties or houses on higher grounds
Article 24 - The Lure of Bukit Timah landed housing - The Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
Article 25 - What factors affect the rental price of a landed house in Singapore?
Article 26 - The Holland landed housing enclave versus Bukit Timah
Article 27 - Landed residential house for rent in district 1
Article 28 - Landed residential house for rent in district 2
Article 29 - Landed house for rent in district 3
Article 1: Landed Housing Area Part 1
Singapore's urban planning by Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) includes dedicating certain areas to landed housing and allocate different classes to different zones. Under the landed housing area plan, there are basically four categories of zones for landed houses in Singapore.
If there is a priority of status spelt out in terms of lowest to highest landed house status, then the lowest will be terrace house, semi-detached house, fully-detached houses and the cream of the crops will be good class bungalows.
The most common type is the mixed landed housing area. All types of landed houses are allowed in this type of housing area. One can find terrace landed houses , semi-detached houses and fully detached houses (bungalows). All are allowed inside here. The downside is that it becomes less exclusive as it lacks uniformity and the bungalows and even semi-detached houses become lower in value as they get mixed up with terrace houses. Other type of housing approved in the mixed housing area includes townhouses, strata bungalows and cluster houses. For terrace houses type II, which only occupies a land area of 80 sqm, it is subject approval if it is allowed as the 1 meter set back in the front of the house can affect the scene of the street.
The second type of landed housing area is the semi-detached area where only semi-detached house and fully detached house or bungalows are allowed in this area. Good class bungalows(GCB) does not exist here nor in other areas because good class bungalows can only exist in good class bungalow areas.
Next is the Bungalow area where only bungalows or full detached houses are allowed on this area. Again, note that these bungalows will never be a good clas bungalow. However, to qualify as a bungalow, these houses need to have a minimum land space or plot area of 400 sqm.
The cream of the crops of all landed residential properties in Singapore is definitely the good class bungalows or GCBs. There are less than thirty plots of GCB areas in Singapore.in each GCB area, the land size of each bungalow must be at least 1,400 sqm.
Singapore's urban planning by Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) includes dedicating certain areas to landed housing and allocate different classes to different zones. Under the landed housing area plan, there are basically four categories of zones for landed houses in Singapore.
If there is a priority of status spelt out in terms of lowest to highest landed house status, then the lowest will be terrace house, semi-detached house, fully-detached houses and the cream of the crops will be good class bungalows.
The most common type is the mixed landed housing area. All types of landed houses are allowed in this type of housing area. One can find terrace landed houses , semi-detached houses and fully detached houses (bungalows). All are allowed inside here. The downside is that it becomes less exclusive as it lacks uniformity and the bungalows and even semi-detached houses become lower in value as they get mixed up with terrace houses. Other type of housing approved in the mixed housing area includes townhouses, strata bungalows and cluster houses. For terrace houses type II, which only occupies a land area of 80 sqm, it is subject approval if it is allowed as the 1 meter set back in the front of the house can affect the scene of the street.
The second type of landed housing area is the semi-detached area where only semi-detached house and fully detached house or bungalows are allowed in this area. Good class bungalows(GCB) does not exist here nor in other areas because good class bungalows can only exist in good class bungalow areas.
Next is the Bungalow area where only bungalows or full detached houses are allowed on this area. Again, note that these bungalows will never be a good clas bungalow. However, to qualify as a bungalow, these houses need to have a minimum land space or plot area of 400 sqm.
The cream of the crops of all landed residential properties in Singapore is definitely the good class bungalows or GCBs. There are less than thirty plots of GCB areas in Singapore.in each GCB area, the land size of each bungalow must be at least 1,400 sqm.
Article 2: Landed Housing Area Part 2
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) did a study on existing landed housing estates in 1994. The study came about through observation that the landed area landscapes, especially the more matured ones, have changed over the years. There were trends for house owners to venture into more subdivisions. Landed plots are subdivided into more terraces while some had been redeveloped to become condominiums. Landed house owners have also through the years been increasing their landed homes to two or three storeys.
URA was concerned that of such activities were to progressed without control, then the original character of the landed areas might be affected. URA wanted to take care of the interest of needs and inspirations of local Singaporeans who prefer to live in a more ideal landed environment. This safeguarding was then included in the revised 2008 master plan.
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) did a study on existing landed housing estates in 1994. The study came about through observation that the landed area landscapes, especially the more matured ones, have changed over the years. There were trends for house owners to venture into more subdivisions. Landed plots are subdivided into more terraces while some had been redeveloped to become condominiums. Landed house owners have also through the years been increasing their landed homes to two or three storeys.
URA was concerned that of such activities were to progressed without control, then the original character of the landed areas might be affected. URA wanted to take care of the interest of needs and inspirations of local Singaporeans who prefer to live in a more ideal landed environment. This safeguarding was then included in the revised 2008 master plan.
Article 3: Importance Of A Landed House Landlord
To make the two years stay in your landed home a happy and fulfilling one, a responsive and responsible landlord is almost as important as a quality landed house. This is because a landed property has number of aspects that can go wrong
during a tenancy. As a landed house is subject to weather more than a unit within a condo and as there is no management agent to tend to the farcade of the house, a lot more issues can crop up during the tenancy period, especially if it is an old landed house. Besides the usual breakdown in appliances, fittings provided by the landlord, there are issues relating to the weather like water seepage, windows, pest, etc. Singapore has a tropical climate which made occurrence of mould and termites more often.
During the viewing, you can at times get a hint of how responsive or responsible maybe, although the deductions may not be right all the time but just a gauge.
If the landed house has been empty for a while but you can see broken tiles, walls, especially internal walls not been painted for some years and no plans to paint yet, broken fittings, appliances and no signs or repairs, then this landlord may be one who is not pro-active. Generally, a pro-active landlord will ensure that the landed house is in good condition and take measures to touch up and make good all fair wear and tear in the house.
Being non pro-active is not all that bad sometimes if the landlord may react to defects when you complaint. But isn't it better if preventive maintenance has taken place in the house even before you had moved in? Things can quite messy, especially in landed homes, if certain repairs are only carried out after you moved in. Landlord's of landed house must be a local Singaporean. But some Singaporeans are not based locally and if this case, if they do not have a capable agent whom they entrusted to deal with the maintenance and repairs during the lease, then you may find yourself in a frustrating situation if you can't get repairs done.
So during the viewing, if you think you are quite interested in that landed house, then strike a conversation with the landlord's marketing agent, or even better, talk to the landlord is he is there. A good landlord and tenant relationship is crucial to a happy tenancy.
To make the two years stay in your landed home a happy and fulfilling one, a responsive and responsible landlord is almost as important as a quality landed house. This is because a landed property has number of aspects that can go wrong
during a tenancy. As a landed house is subject to weather more than a unit within a condo and as there is no management agent to tend to the farcade of the house, a lot more issues can crop up during the tenancy period, especially if it is an old landed house. Besides the usual breakdown in appliances, fittings provided by the landlord, there are issues relating to the weather like water seepage, windows, pest, etc. Singapore has a tropical climate which made occurrence of mould and termites more often.
During the viewing, you can at times get a hint of how responsive or responsible maybe, although the deductions may not be right all the time but just a gauge.
If the landed house has been empty for a while but you can see broken tiles, walls, especially internal walls not been painted for some years and no plans to paint yet, broken fittings, appliances and no signs or repairs, then this landlord may be one who is not pro-active. Generally, a pro-active landlord will ensure that the landed house is in good condition and take measures to touch up and make good all fair wear and tear in the house.
Being non pro-active is not all that bad sometimes if the landlord may react to defects when you complaint. But isn't it better if preventive maintenance has taken place in the house even before you had moved in? Things can quite messy, especially in landed homes, if certain repairs are only carried out after you moved in. Landlord's of landed house must be a local Singaporean. But some Singaporeans are not based locally and if this case, if they do not have a capable agent whom they entrusted to deal with the maintenance and repairs during the lease, then you may find yourself in a frustrating situation if you can't get repairs done.
So during the viewing, if you think you are quite interested in that landed house, then strike a conversation with the landlord's marketing agent, or even better, talk to the landlord is he is there. A good landlord and tenant relationship is crucial to a happy tenancy.
Article 4: Pros And Cons Of Renting Landed Houses From Corporate Or Developer Landlords
Most condos, landed houses and conservation houses in Singapore are owned and managed by individual landlords. These landlords are usually locals as generally only locals can own landed properties as investment properties to rent out. Some permanent residents of Singapore are allowed to own restricted landed properties but they have to live in there and not rent it out.
There is another group of landed property owners and these are the corporate owners. Corporate owners may be the developer of the estate, own and manage the whole estate or simply just a company or organization that owns a single or a few landed houses and rents them out.
The pros and cons of renting landed houses from corporate landlords are varied. But do note one corporate owner can differ from another corporate owner., just like every individual will have their individual personalities.
Generally, we can expect cooperate landlords to be more organized, experienced, and responsible. Since corporate landlords could be a developer themselves and will this have more abilities and resources to provide sales and after sales services pertaining to the landed home lease. This applies to corporate landlords who own and rent out condo units too. But it's more imperative for landed landlords to be more proficient as a landlord as landed properties can at times require more attention and experience when it comes to repairs and maintenance.
Some corporate landlords own enough number of investment rental properties that they have a dedicated full time customer service and maintenance team. This is akin to leasing a car from a reputable rental firm with great and responsible aftersales services versus simply renting a car from an individual. Although a house will not break down as often or easily as a car, but things can still break down in a house, and certain break down can be hellish. Examples are a choked toilet, a bursting tap or a leaking ceiling.
You may be surprised how clueless how some individual landlords can be when it comes to dealing with repairs of a home, especially if it is a landed homes. It is hard to ascertain the track record of an individual landlord as he or she may just be the owner of a single or just a few units and you probably won't be able to gather much Information on the landlord, your assessment of the landlord is generally only by viewing his landed property, talking to his marketing agent or talking to him.
Whereas, a big corporate landlord owns multiple units and have been handling their investment property for many years, may have feedbacks you can gather on online forums. These corporate landlords may likely have their own website that you can view and assess.
Presentation and house preparation wise, corporate landlords tend to be more professional than individual landlords in the sense that corporate landlords generally set aside budget to spruce up the house. Depending on their internal property upgrading policy and budget, corporate landlords may repaint the whole house after one or the lease terms, upgrade bathrooms and kitchen after every few years. Corporate landlords afterall has a reputation to upkeep and have learnt that such upgrading investments are worthwhile in the long run. On the other hand, I have come across some individual landlords who has exactly the opposite view. They(individual landlords) tries as hard as possible try not to spend or spend the least on their home upgrading. To them, that's business sense. But then, of course, there are professional individual landlords too, and they may surpass the corporate landlords in the level of upgrading. But they are I think, the minorities.
Some individual landlords can get a little emotional or set certain terms you may not find acceptable, which at times may not be a pain to you. It can be subjective, and I shall not say who is more right but I will let you decide. For example, there are individual landlords who ban nailing on the wall for hanging pictures, even though you undertake to make good to party and paint over. Some individual landlords do not allow pets even though their landed house they are renting comes with a lovely garden. Some are race sensitive and will only consider certain races to be their tenant. The list goes on.
Most corporate landlords tend to take a less personal view and are easier going. The race of the tenant is usually not an issue. Mainly, the terms and ability to pay the rental matters to a corporate landlord.
The cons of renting a landed house from a corporate landlord usually are the fact that corporate landlords tend to be more firm on their tenancy agreement terms and pricings and more structured. And the rental price may be a little higher, partly due to the fact that most corporate landlords need to charge or absorb 7 percentage GST. But lately, there are corporate landlords who have relaxed their pricings and when you compare, they aren't really that different from the price asked by most individual landlords. At times, corporate landlords may ask rental than the individual landlords. If you want to try out landed houses or condos that are for rent by corporate landlords or developers, do contact us and we can arrange for you. No agent fees are applicable.
Most condos, landed houses and conservation houses in Singapore are owned and managed by individual landlords. These landlords are usually locals as generally only locals can own landed properties as investment properties to rent out. Some permanent residents of Singapore are allowed to own restricted landed properties but they have to live in there and not rent it out.
There is another group of landed property owners and these are the corporate owners. Corporate owners may be the developer of the estate, own and manage the whole estate or simply just a company or organization that owns a single or a few landed houses and rents them out.
The pros and cons of renting landed houses from corporate landlords are varied. But do note one corporate owner can differ from another corporate owner., just like every individual will have their individual personalities.
Generally, we can expect cooperate landlords to be more organized, experienced, and responsible. Since corporate landlords could be a developer themselves and will this have more abilities and resources to provide sales and after sales services pertaining to the landed home lease. This applies to corporate landlords who own and rent out condo units too. But it's more imperative for landed landlords to be more proficient as a landlord as landed properties can at times require more attention and experience when it comes to repairs and maintenance.
Some corporate landlords own enough number of investment rental properties that they have a dedicated full time customer service and maintenance team. This is akin to leasing a car from a reputable rental firm with great and responsible aftersales services versus simply renting a car from an individual. Although a house will not break down as often or easily as a car, but things can still break down in a house, and certain break down can be hellish. Examples are a choked toilet, a bursting tap or a leaking ceiling.
You may be surprised how clueless how some individual landlords can be when it comes to dealing with repairs of a home, especially if it is a landed homes. It is hard to ascertain the track record of an individual landlord as he or she may just be the owner of a single or just a few units and you probably won't be able to gather much Information on the landlord, your assessment of the landlord is generally only by viewing his landed property, talking to his marketing agent or talking to him.
Whereas, a big corporate landlord owns multiple units and have been handling their investment property for many years, may have feedbacks you can gather on online forums. These corporate landlords may likely have their own website that you can view and assess.
Presentation and house preparation wise, corporate landlords tend to be more professional than individual landlords in the sense that corporate landlords generally set aside budget to spruce up the house. Depending on their internal property upgrading policy and budget, corporate landlords may repaint the whole house after one or the lease terms, upgrade bathrooms and kitchen after every few years. Corporate landlords afterall has a reputation to upkeep and have learnt that such upgrading investments are worthwhile in the long run. On the other hand, I have come across some individual landlords who has exactly the opposite view. They(individual landlords) tries as hard as possible try not to spend or spend the least on their home upgrading. To them, that's business sense. But then, of course, there are professional individual landlords too, and they may surpass the corporate landlords in the level of upgrading. But they are I think, the minorities.
Some individual landlords can get a little emotional or set certain terms you may not find acceptable, which at times may not be a pain to you. It can be subjective, and I shall not say who is more right but I will let you decide. For example, there are individual landlords who ban nailing on the wall for hanging pictures, even though you undertake to make good to party and paint over. Some individual landlords do not allow pets even though their landed house they are renting comes with a lovely garden. Some are race sensitive and will only consider certain races to be their tenant. The list goes on.
Most corporate landlords tend to take a less personal view and are easier going. The race of the tenant is usually not an issue. Mainly, the terms and ability to pay the rental matters to a corporate landlord.
The cons of renting a landed house from a corporate landlord usually are the fact that corporate landlords tend to be more firm on their tenancy agreement terms and pricings and more structured. And the rental price may be a little higher, partly due to the fact that most corporate landlords need to charge or absorb 7 percentage GST. But lately, there are corporate landlords who have relaxed their pricings and when you compare, they aren't really that different from the price asked by most individual landlords. At times, corporate landlords may ask rental than the individual landlords. If you want to try out landed houses or condos that are for rent by corporate landlords or developers, do contact us and we can arrange for you. No agent fees are applicable.
Article 5: Should I engage a property salesperson(agent) to help me search for my rental landed house?
There is no absolute answer to this question. Everyone's needs is different. And different factors come into play. Let's assess your position, needs and wants.
If you are a foreigner and just arrived in Singapore and its your first time in Singapore for work(assuming that you haven't been to Singapore for studies or long stay before), it is advisable that you engage a realtor or property salesperson, as it is officially known here, to help you in your rental property search, be it landed houses or condos. Singapore may not be w big country but there are different residential landed areas with different neighborhoods and aspects that it's tough for a foreigner to immediately understand all. Add the rules and terms and tenancies, it can be quite mind boggling.
As land in Singapore is expensive, most landed houses are in the range of $4000 monthly rental and above. Unless you are looking at one year lease, your agent usually can collect the share his commission from the landlord or the landlord's agent. A house rental agent can only collect commission from one side, either the landlord's or tenant's side. So in most cases, when you engage a property agent in your rental landed home search, you do not need to pay anything. For one year lease, you then may be required to pay a commission equivalent to half a month's commission. That's because in Singapore, for one year's lease, if the rental house is not rented through a marketing agent of the landlord, the marketing agent will not cobroke or share with the tenant's agent, thus, the tenant's agent will need to collect his commission from his own client, the tenant. It's advisable to discuss the issue of commission with your agent right from start before you appoint him to begin the house search.
Searching for a rental landed house can be tedious. Every landed houses is quite different. Landed houses are more unique in its own class than condos are. Although there are a number of online property portals available, it can be confusing and time consuming to call to enquire. And at times if you are unlucky, you may come across a rude landlord or marketing agent and that can spoil your day. So you are considering a two years lease, and not being charged for commission, why don't leave the tedious chores to an experienced and dedicated property agent.
Singapore may be a small city with an efficient public transport system but most landed houses are tucked inside estates which are better off going there via a car during back to back viewings. Most property agents will be happy to fetch you around for the viewings, otherwise you may find yourself stuck in between viewings.
Then of course there is the negotiation stage where experienced agents can make all the differences as well. But having said all these, there are times when you have already identified a certain landed project which may be represented by an agent familiar with that development, then contacting that agent directly might be an option too. For any other enquires, you may contact us.
There is no absolute answer to this question. Everyone's needs is different. And different factors come into play. Let's assess your position, needs and wants.
If you are a foreigner and just arrived in Singapore and its your first time in Singapore for work(assuming that you haven't been to Singapore for studies or long stay before), it is advisable that you engage a realtor or property salesperson, as it is officially known here, to help you in your rental property search, be it landed houses or condos. Singapore may not be w big country but there are different residential landed areas with different neighborhoods and aspects that it's tough for a foreigner to immediately understand all. Add the rules and terms and tenancies, it can be quite mind boggling.
As land in Singapore is expensive, most landed houses are in the range of $4000 monthly rental and above. Unless you are looking at one year lease, your agent usually can collect the share his commission from the landlord or the landlord's agent. A house rental agent can only collect commission from one side, either the landlord's or tenant's side. So in most cases, when you engage a property agent in your rental landed home search, you do not need to pay anything. For one year lease, you then may be required to pay a commission equivalent to half a month's commission. That's because in Singapore, for one year's lease, if the rental house is not rented through a marketing agent of the landlord, the marketing agent will not cobroke or share with the tenant's agent, thus, the tenant's agent will need to collect his commission from his own client, the tenant. It's advisable to discuss the issue of commission with your agent right from start before you appoint him to begin the house search.
Searching for a rental landed house can be tedious. Every landed houses is quite different. Landed houses are more unique in its own class than condos are. Although there are a number of online property portals available, it can be confusing and time consuming to call to enquire. And at times if you are unlucky, you may come across a rude landlord or marketing agent and that can spoil your day. So you are considering a two years lease, and not being charged for commission, why don't leave the tedious chores to an experienced and dedicated property agent.
Singapore may be a small city with an efficient public transport system but most landed houses are tucked inside estates which are better off going there via a car during back to back viewings. Most property agents will be happy to fetch you around for the viewings, otherwise you may find yourself stuck in between viewings.
Then of course there is the negotiation stage where experienced agents can make all the differences as well. But having said all these, there are times when you have already identified a certain landed project which may be represented by an agent familiar with that development, then contacting that agent directly might be an option too. For any other enquires, you may contact us.
You may be interested in:
Residential Condo/Landed Reviews
Condos & Landed Houses Near MRT Stations
Conservation Houses For Rent
Good Class Bungalows For Rent
Cluster Houses For Rent
Other Residential Properties For Rent
Contact Us For Further Enquiries Or Other Properties
or you can scroll down for Articles on Landed Houses
Residential Condo/Landed Reviews
Condos & Landed Houses Near MRT Stations
Conservation Houses For Rent
Good Class Bungalows For Rent
Cluster Houses For Rent
Other Residential Properties For Rent
Contact Us For Further Enquiries Or Other Properties
or you can scroll down for Articles on Landed Houses
Article 6: For The Same Monthly Rental Budget, Which Is Better? A Good Class Bungalow Or A Super Penthouse?
If you have $25,000 a month to spare for your housing rentals, should you rent a good class bungalow or a super penthouse both of similar built in sizes? There is no straight forward answer to this but let's weigh the pros and cons.
Depending on the estate, some penthouses are part of a full facilities condo. Good examples are Ardmore Park, The Sail@Marina and Wing On Life, just to name a few. So you get to enjoy these facilities which you can't have at a GCB. A swimming pool is common in a good bungalow, but tennis court is very rare. More rare will be security guards. With enough spaces and some investments, a home gym can be built but it's really too much hassle. Those living in landed bungalows can join a recreational club like Raffles Town Club or The Tanglin Club. This will mitigate the disadvantage of not having facilities at home but will never be as convenient as having facilities at your doorstep. Speaking of convenience, living in penthouses at condos like The Residences at W where besides being able to enjoy the usual full facilities of typical condos, one can enjoy the services of a concierge services with set cs standards inspired by the W Hotel cultures. Concierge also provide food delivery to doorstep as well as pet sitting services and even buggy and bicycle rentals.
As in living in a condo versus living in a landed house, tenants in landed homes have to do all their maintenance like tending to the gardens, pool maintenance as well as cleanliness in its own compounds plus pest control. There are contractors who are happy to provide such a service at a cost but coordinating and cost are additional issues.
Unless your rental landed house is perched on a hill, which are few and far in Singapore, especially even more rare for a GCB, chances are you will never get to enjoy the views offered by living in a penthouse. Privacies in both types of housing really depends on neighbors and how they were build.
Generally, most of the super penthouses are located in downtown Singapore and tend to be closer to amenities like Orchard Road and many can be accessed through public transport. Many GCBs are located inside roads though some have access to good public transport too.
Some super penthouses come with a roof top open space and a private pool and/or jacuzzi. So it does give that villa in the sky feeling.
It's pretty hard to determine if a good class bungalow or super penthouse is a better choice. It really depends on what's your priority and what's available to you during your house searching.
If you have $25,000 a month to spare for your housing rentals, should you rent a good class bungalow or a super penthouse both of similar built in sizes? There is no straight forward answer to this but let's weigh the pros and cons.
Depending on the estate, some penthouses are part of a full facilities condo. Good examples are Ardmore Park, The Sail@Marina and Wing On Life, just to name a few. So you get to enjoy these facilities which you can't have at a GCB. A swimming pool is common in a good bungalow, but tennis court is very rare. More rare will be security guards. With enough spaces and some investments, a home gym can be built but it's really too much hassle. Those living in landed bungalows can join a recreational club like Raffles Town Club or The Tanglin Club. This will mitigate the disadvantage of not having facilities at home but will never be as convenient as having facilities at your doorstep. Speaking of convenience, living in penthouses at condos like The Residences at W where besides being able to enjoy the usual full facilities of typical condos, one can enjoy the services of a concierge services with set cs standards inspired by the W Hotel cultures. Concierge also provide food delivery to doorstep as well as pet sitting services and even buggy and bicycle rentals.
As in living in a condo versus living in a landed house, tenants in landed homes have to do all their maintenance like tending to the gardens, pool maintenance as well as cleanliness in its own compounds plus pest control. There are contractors who are happy to provide such a service at a cost but coordinating and cost are additional issues.
Unless your rental landed house is perched on a hill, which are few and far in Singapore, especially even more rare for a GCB, chances are you will never get to enjoy the views offered by living in a penthouse. Privacies in both types of housing really depends on neighbors and how they were build.
Generally, most of the super penthouses are located in downtown Singapore and tend to be closer to amenities like Orchard Road and many can be accessed through public transport. Many GCBs are located inside roads though some have access to good public transport too.
Some super penthouses come with a roof top open space and a private pool and/or jacuzzi. So it does give that villa in the sky feeling.
It's pretty hard to determine if a good class bungalow or super penthouse is a better choice. It really depends on what's your priority and what's available to you during your house searching.
Article 7: Why Do Some Expats Choose To Rent A Conservation Shophouse?
Conservation shophouses are a familiar architectural sight and common in Southeast Asia. In Singapore, the conservation shophouses have unique architectural designs that's reflective of the rich cultural heritage that Singapore has inherited from the native Malays, early immigrant Chinese and the colonial Europeans. These conservation shophouses are however, not to be co fused with the HDB shophouses found in the heartland of Singapore.
One of the main reason some expat or even local tenants opt to rent a conservation shophouse is to be a part of history and nostalgia of Singapore. Expats who will only live in Singapore for a limited number of years before moving on to another country may take the opportunity to experience living in history.
There are also other reasons tenants may choose conservation shophouses to the standard landed houses. Most conservation shophouse are located in the central area like Bugis, Chinatown, and Everton Park in the popular eastern area like Katong, Joo Chiat and Paya Lebar. Great examples are Lotus at Paya Lebar and Lotus At Joo Chiat. These locations are often near MRT stations and some near business districts with numerous buses plying and surrounded with a host of amenities.
Last but not least, most original conservation shophouses have a large live in area with high ceilings with old world charm windows and fittings. Conservation shophouses usually have very wide and regular layouts without modern concepts like bay windows and planters which takes up unnecessary spaces. For those who appreciate wide spaces with no frills will certainly appreciate the conservation shophouses
Certain conservation shophouses are suitable to be used as home office where it's two storey, fenceless along the road structure gives a welcoming feel to set up office on the ground floor and residence on the upper floor. One splendid example will be the Townerville.
Conservation shophouses are a familiar architectural sight and common in Southeast Asia. In Singapore, the conservation shophouses have unique architectural designs that's reflective of the rich cultural heritage that Singapore has inherited from the native Malays, early immigrant Chinese and the colonial Europeans. These conservation shophouses are however, not to be co fused with the HDB shophouses found in the heartland of Singapore.
One of the main reason some expat or even local tenants opt to rent a conservation shophouse is to be a part of history and nostalgia of Singapore. Expats who will only live in Singapore for a limited number of years before moving on to another country may take the opportunity to experience living in history.
There are also other reasons tenants may choose conservation shophouses to the standard landed houses. Most conservation shophouse are located in the central area like Bugis, Chinatown, and Everton Park in the popular eastern area like Katong, Joo Chiat and Paya Lebar. Great examples are Lotus at Paya Lebar and Lotus At Joo Chiat. These locations are often near MRT stations and some near business districts with numerous buses plying and surrounded with a host of amenities.
Last but not least, most original conservation shophouses have a large live in area with high ceilings with old world charm windows and fittings. Conservation shophouses usually have very wide and regular layouts without modern concepts like bay windows and planters which takes up unnecessary spaces. For those who appreciate wide spaces with no frills will certainly appreciate the conservation shophouses
Certain conservation shophouses are suitable to be used as home office where it's two storey, fenceless along the road structure gives a welcoming feel to set up office on the ground floor and residence on the upper floor. One splendid example will be the Townerville.
Article 8: Is There Any Difference Between Renting A Terrace House, Semi-D or Bungalow?
The obvious differences among these three types of properties is the space. In Singapore, except for good class bungalows or when there is a height restrictions, these three forms of landed houses can go up to three storeys. All these three can also have a rooftop garden and a basement.
Thing is, although generally speaking, the bungalow or fully detached is usually the biggest follow by the semi-Detached and terraces, there are many cases where the terrace house can be bigger than the bungalow built up and land wise. If you are looking for a big garden or huge built up, don't judge entirely based on the type of housing. Instead, study the land size and built up sizes of the landed house. And to be sure, base your judgement on on site observation. Do note that although we can check out the land size of a landed house from online checks, we can not determine the build up size of the built up of the house.
Size aside, there is a differentiation in status of living in here three landed housings in status conscious Singapore. Though most expat or some locals may not mind, but it can cause some landed house landlords to charge higher prices for the a bungalow that's slightly smaller I than a Sem-Detached house in the neighborhood.
Physical wise, a semi-detached house gives a C-shape garden around the house, allowing the front and back garden to be joined to each other. Whereas a terrace house will have from garden separated from each other. Two advantages in this case are that there is generally better natural light and ventilation living in a Semi-detached or corner terrace house compared to an inter-terrace house. It also translate to better privacy too, for not having to share both walls with two neighbours but just sharing a wall with one Neighbour on one side. Do note some terrace houses can overcome the issue of ventilation and natural lights by having an air-well incorporated within the house. Or using clever designs of more glasses.
Fully-detached house or bungalows in this case is more superior than semi-detached house in that that's no sharing of walls and the house is surrounded by garden on all sides. Natural lighting into the house and ventilation are generally more superior than the other two classes of housing. There is a minimum land size for bungalows which is much bigger than terrace houses and semi-detached houses.
The obvious differences among these three types of properties is the space. In Singapore, except for good class bungalows or when there is a height restrictions, these three forms of landed houses can go up to three storeys. All these three can also have a rooftop garden and a basement.
Thing is, although generally speaking, the bungalow or fully detached is usually the biggest follow by the semi-Detached and terraces, there are many cases where the terrace house can be bigger than the bungalow built up and land wise. If you are looking for a big garden or huge built up, don't judge entirely based on the type of housing. Instead, study the land size and built up sizes of the landed house. And to be sure, base your judgement on on site observation. Do note that although we can check out the land size of a landed house from online checks, we can not determine the build up size of the built up of the house.
Size aside, there is a differentiation in status of living in here three landed housings in status conscious Singapore. Though most expat or some locals may not mind, but it can cause some landed house landlords to charge higher prices for the a bungalow that's slightly smaller I than a Sem-Detached house in the neighborhood.
Physical wise, a semi-detached house gives a C-shape garden around the house, allowing the front and back garden to be joined to each other. Whereas a terrace house will have from garden separated from each other. Two advantages in this case are that there is generally better natural light and ventilation living in a Semi-detached or corner terrace house compared to an inter-terrace house. It also translate to better privacy too, for not having to share both walls with two neighbours but just sharing a wall with one Neighbour on one side. Do note some terrace houses can overcome the issue of ventilation and natural lights by having an air-well incorporated within the house. Or using clever designs of more glasses.
Fully-detached house or bungalows in this case is more superior than semi-detached house in that that's no sharing of walls and the house is surrounded by garden on all sides. Natural lighting into the house and ventilation are generally more superior than the other two classes of housing. There is a minimum land size for bungalows which is much bigger than terrace houses and semi-detached houses.
Article 9: What Should I Look Out For While Viewing A Landed Property?
The typical viewing time of a landed house can last from about 5 to 20 minutes. Depending on the type of landed housing and the built up and even land size of the house. I find that some cluster houses can take a longer time to view than the standard landed houses because most cluster houses tend to have basement with three storeys and a roof terrace, thus taking up more time in exploring the property.
5 to 20 minutes is a relatively short time. Of course, you can choose to view longer but as a rule of the thumb, if every viewing is longer than 20 minutes will easily tire yourself and lose concentration if you have about 5 to 10 landed houses to view in that day, after adding in the traveling time.
Your assessment of a landed house starts from the time you are in its neighbourhoods.
Judge if the house has easy access with public transport like bus services or MRT stations nearby. Are the transport within walking distance to the landed house? Are the public transport service adequate for you to travel to your workplace, the children's school, or will the school bus pick up from this location? How far is the distance to the city or the nearest shopping mall?
Observe the neighborhood. Is it conjested with cars? How's the traffic flow in and out of that landed house? Are there excessive parking outside and around the neighbors houses? Are the houses nearby well kept or run-down? Are there signs that some houses have been used as housing for factory or construction workers or looking like a hostel? In Singapore, there are laws governing the usage of houses. Technically, dormitories and hostels are out unless special permits are given. Change of use of a landed house to a Childcare centre may be granted within certain zones. Some of these unauthorised usage can cause traffic, noise and safety issues. Although you may be able to complain to the authorities subsequently but often it is too much trouble.
Look out for amenities near the landed properties to see if there are about useful ones like supermarket, convenience store, laundry shop, hair salon, restaurants, cafes, pubs,etc. Do note that food and beverage set ups can be a double edged sword. One one hand, they provide the conveniences of services and entertainment, on the other, if the landed house is too near to them, it can be a source of traffic congestion and noises. An example will be the landed houses near Serangoon Gardens shophouses.
Some landed houses in Singapore are near the conserved nature estates like the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. It's nice to live close to nature but you may have unexpected guest like wild monkeys come pilfering for food from us. There are cases of monkeys invading landed homes for food. It can both be fun or a nuisance, or even a safety threat if you have young kids at home, depending on how you look at it.
While you are viewing the landed houses itself, do assess the garden, the exterior facade of the building. Most people look at rental landed houses only from the aesthetic point of view, but assess if the garden and facade looks if any repairs are needed and if they are easy to maintain after you moved in. Remember that you may be its resident for the next two years. Judge if there are steps or corners that may pose as a safety threat to you and your family or even family pets. Also check out if there is an auto-gate.
Look at the land terrain. Is that land that the landed property is located on is at the bottom of a downslope? Singapore usuall does not have typhoon or huge thunderstorm but during the monsoon season, there can be flash-floods. And that may mean that a sudden huge amount of rain water may gush down to the house and cause some flooding. Even temporarily flooding can cause enough damage to the house. Some landed houses are only accessible through steps. You need to ask yourself if you have anyone at home who is wheel-chair bound or have difficulties walking. Those steps can be detrimental.
Does the garden look like it is easy to maintain? Most tenancies from the landlord will dictate must you to take up gardening contract at your own cost to maintain the garden. But if the garden comes with delicate plants, that can be a challenge to keep garden in the same or similar state at the end of the lease and that may encourage a dispute. Are there fruit trees inside the garden? You got to assess and decide if these fruit trees will attract pest like insects or bats, etc that you may not welcome into your home.
Check out if there is car parking space in your home or if you are having more than one car, is there enough car parking space for all your cars. If not, are there enough public spaces outside the house to park your other cars. Do note that in Singapore, there are various rules without regards to parking car outside your landed house along the road. No lines are dotted single centre lines without double yellow lines at the side are good for parking cars after office hours. No lines means parking is possible throughout the day provided there are no complaints of road obstructions.
If there is a swimming pool, check if the pool looks safe for your kids, too deep or shallow? Check out the immediate neighborhood and see if they are in a position to easily probe into this landed house. Your neighbour may be located on a higher land than you and that allows them to peep or even just look into your premises. If you are particular with your own privacy, you probably wouldn't like a neighbour to be able look into you easily. Note if immediate or nearby neighbors have dogs that will bark incessantly. Hard to figure out in a short while but good to take note of it.
When you step inside the house during viewing, note the upkeep of the floorings, lights, walls, and fittings. Some older landed houses haven't renovated their toilets and kitchens and add on a bad upkeep, they can be a turn off living inside. Ask the landlord or agent question like if this houses has been tenanted out for long or owners have been living inside. Assess if it is easy for you to maintain this house when you are the resident.
Look out for signs of water leakage on the walls and ceilings. If the water leakage is current, it is usually greenish and mouldy looking. Sometimes, some layers of paint may peel off.
Look out for natural lightings and air ventilation. You may want to request marketing agent to turn off all the lights to check how bright or dim it can be. If you and your family prefers to sleep in total darkness, check out the curtains and blinds, see if they are black out blinds and if they have day and night curtains. All being equal, curtains can be
Do note that most rental landed houses in Singapore comes on a partially furnished basis, that is, the landlord will only provide the lights, curtains, white goods like the appliances in the kitchen, washer and dryer. Look out if there is a dishwasher and if there is hot water supply in the kitchen. Landlords of landed houses in Singapore are local Singaporeans. Most local Singaporeans do not use and appreciate dishwashers. Locals here generally don't use hot water to wash dishes at the basins so they may not understand and standby these unless they are experienced landlords. If you have time, look at the washer and dryer loading weight? Most landlords don't buy heavy loads washer and dryer and you have to assess your own needs.
Check if there is a double volume ceiling. Double volume ceiling looks grand and gives a sense of space, it encourages air ventilation and even natural lightings into the house. Some of these landed house can come with grand chandeliers and lightings. You got got consider the maintenance part. What if one of the light bulbs blow one day? And mind you, that's likely going to happen. Cleaning and maintaining the expensive and highly hung chandeliers is another matter. I have come across cases where a scaffolding is needed just to reach out to the chandeliers. So this is something you must be prepared to deal with or have contingency arrangements with the landlord.
If you have your own huge furnitures, then do take note of the dimensions of the living, dining and bed room sizes. Some landed properties can come with pretty small spaces. Some may not be able to accommodate 8 seater long dining tables.
A lot of instincts come into play when assessing the viability of a potential landed house. Trust your gut feeling if you are not sure. Ask for a second viewing if you need to confirm or give it a miss if you still can't decide.
The typical viewing time of a landed house can last from about 5 to 20 minutes. Depending on the type of landed housing and the built up and even land size of the house. I find that some cluster houses can take a longer time to view than the standard landed houses because most cluster houses tend to have basement with three storeys and a roof terrace, thus taking up more time in exploring the property.
5 to 20 minutes is a relatively short time. Of course, you can choose to view longer but as a rule of the thumb, if every viewing is longer than 20 minutes will easily tire yourself and lose concentration if you have about 5 to 10 landed houses to view in that day, after adding in the traveling time.
Your assessment of a landed house starts from the time you are in its neighbourhoods.
Judge if the house has easy access with public transport like bus services or MRT stations nearby. Are the transport within walking distance to the landed house? Are the public transport service adequate for you to travel to your workplace, the children's school, or will the school bus pick up from this location? How far is the distance to the city or the nearest shopping mall?
Observe the neighborhood. Is it conjested with cars? How's the traffic flow in and out of that landed house? Are there excessive parking outside and around the neighbors houses? Are the houses nearby well kept or run-down? Are there signs that some houses have been used as housing for factory or construction workers or looking like a hostel? In Singapore, there are laws governing the usage of houses. Technically, dormitories and hostels are out unless special permits are given. Change of use of a landed house to a Childcare centre may be granted within certain zones. Some of these unauthorised usage can cause traffic, noise and safety issues. Although you may be able to complain to the authorities subsequently but often it is too much trouble.
Look out for amenities near the landed properties to see if there are about useful ones like supermarket, convenience store, laundry shop, hair salon, restaurants, cafes, pubs,etc. Do note that food and beverage set ups can be a double edged sword. One one hand, they provide the conveniences of services and entertainment, on the other, if the landed house is too near to them, it can be a source of traffic congestion and noises. An example will be the landed houses near Serangoon Gardens shophouses.
Some landed houses in Singapore are near the conserved nature estates like the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. It's nice to live close to nature but you may have unexpected guest like wild monkeys come pilfering for food from us. There are cases of monkeys invading landed homes for food. It can both be fun or a nuisance, or even a safety threat if you have young kids at home, depending on how you look at it.
While you are viewing the landed houses itself, do assess the garden, the exterior facade of the building. Most people look at rental landed houses only from the aesthetic point of view, but assess if the garden and facade looks if any repairs are needed and if they are easy to maintain after you moved in. Remember that you may be its resident for the next two years. Judge if there are steps or corners that may pose as a safety threat to you and your family or even family pets. Also check out if there is an auto-gate.
Look at the land terrain. Is that land that the landed property is located on is at the bottom of a downslope? Singapore usuall does not have typhoon or huge thunderstorm but during the monsoon season, there can be flash-floods. And that may mean that a sudden huge amount of rain water may gush down to the house and cause some flooding. Even temporarily flooding can cause enough damage to the house. Some landed houses are only accessible through steps. You need to ask yourself if you have anyone at home who is wheel-chair bound or have difficulties walking. Those steps can be detrimental.
Does the garden look like it is easy to maintain? Most tenancies from the landlord will dictate must you to take up gardening contract at your own cost to maintain the garden. But if the garden comes with delicate plants, that can be a challenge to keep garden in the same or similar state at the end of the lease and that may encourage a dispute. Are there fruit trees inside the garden? You got to assess and decide if these fruit trees will attract pest like insects or bats, etc that you may not welcome into your home.
Check out if there is car parking space in your home or if you are having more than one car, is there enough car parking space for all your cars. If not, are there enough public spaces outside the house to park your other cars. Do note that in Singapore, there are various rules without regards to parking car outside your landed house along the road. No lines are dotted single centre lines without double yellow lines at the side are good for parking cars after office hours. No lines means parking is possible throughout the day provided there are no complaints of road obstructions.
If there is a swimming pool, check if the pool looks safe for your kids, too deep or shallow? Check out the immediate neighborhood and see if they are in a position to easily probe into this landed house. Your neighbour may be located on a higher land than you and that allows them to peep or even just look into your premises. If you are particular with your own privacy, you probably wouldn't like a neighbour to be able look into you easily. Note if immediate or nearby neighbors have dogs that will bark incessantly. Hard to figure out in a short while but good to take note of it.
When you step inside the house during viewing, note the upkeep of the floorings, lights, walls, and fittings. Some older landed houses haven't renovated their toilets and kitchens and add on a bad upkeep, they can be a turn off living inside. Ask the landlord or agent question like if this houses has been tenanted out for long or owners have been living inside. Assess if it is easy for you to maintain this house when you are the resident.
Look out for signs of water leakage on the walls and ceilings. If the water leakage is current, it is usually greenish and mouldy looking. Sometimes, some layers of paint may peel off.
Look out for natural lightings and air ventilation. You may want to request marketing agent to turn off all the lights to check how bright or dim it can be. If you and your family prefers to sleep in total darkness, check out the curtains and blinds, see if they are black out blinds and if they have day and night curtains. All being equal, curtains can be
Do note that most rental landed houses in Singapore comes on a partially furnished basis, that is, the landlord will only provide the lights, curtains, white goods like the appliances in the kitchen, washer and dryer. Look out if there is a dishwasher and if there is hot water supply in the kitchen. Landlords of landed houses in Singapore are local Singaporeans. Most local Singaporeans do not use and appreciate dishwashers. Locals here generally don't use hot water to wash dishes at the basins so they may not understand and standby these unless they are experienced landlords. If you have time, look at the washer and dryer loading weight? Most landlords don't buy heavy loads washer and dryer and you have to assess your own needs.
Check if there is a double volume ceiling. Double volume ceiling looks grand and gives a sense of space, it encourages air ventilation and even natural lightings into the house. Some of these landed house can come with grand chandeliers and lightings. You got got consider the maintenance part. What if one of the light bulbs blow one day? And mind you, that's likely going to happen. Cleaning and maintaining the expensive and highly hung chandeliers is another matter. I have come across cases where a scaffolding is needed just to reach out to the chandeliers. So this is something you must be prepared to deal with or have contingency arrangements with the landlord.
If you have your own huge furnitures, then do take note of the dimensions of the living, dining and bed room sizes. Some landed properties can come with pretty small spaces. Some may not be able to accommodate 8 seater long dining tables.
A lot of instincts come into play when assessing the viability of a potential landed house. Trust your gut feeling if you are not sure. Ask for a second viewing if you need to confirm or give it a miss if you still can't decide.
Article 10: What To Look Out For In a Landed House Tenancy Agreement?
The tenancy agreement agreement of a landed house is generally quite similar to that of a condo or apartment. The usual lease period, monthly rental amount and permitted list of occupants, among other things, should be stated clearly in the tenancy agreement. The tenancy agreement is usually prepared by the landlord or the landlord's agent. You will have to exercise due diligence to look through the usual residential tenancy agreement like what you would for a residential one, and on top of it, do look out for these:
Garden maintenance: most landlord will mandate that the tenant maintain the garden. Some landlords expect tenants to take up a garden maintenance contract or hire a professional gardener. By professional garden, some landlord can refer to those one or two man show Seet up where the cost is lower. Landlord is expensive in Singapore and many landed houses actually don't have really huge gardens. Do check out if the landlord lays out any specifics in the garden maintenance, as in if you have to use his gardener, etc. Do read up if the landlord stipulate any frequencies in garden maintenance. If there is, decide if it is reasonable.
Swimming pool or jacuzzi: in case the landed house has an above ground or in-ground swimming pool, most landlords will expect the tenant to take up a pool maintenance contract. Usually the maintenance is on a weekly basis. If there is currently no pool in the garden but enough space for an above ground pool which you can rent, read up if you are allowed to place one there. You may like to rent a pool yourself and you want to know you are not disallowed to do so.
Auto-gate: some landlords except tenants to take up maintenance on auto-gate. Some landlord can waive that but it really depends on the negotiations.
Security Alarm system : some landed houses come with security system installed in the house. These system usually needs paid subscription to work. Check up with landlord expect you to subscribe and pay compulsorily or leave it to you decide or the landlord is subscribing for you at his cost.
Pets: check with the landlord is open to or has a no pets policy in his rental landed house. Especially important if you have an existing pet or
There are a a number of items which can add tangible maintenance cost when it comes to renting a landed house. So do read the fine prints. Do set aside some time to think abt what you may need in future, installation of pool or jacuzzi so that you can make provision for it in the tenancy agreement or a separation agreement. Some landlords don't like items to be placed on their carpet grass patch for fear for it being damaged.
Look out for about special terms the landlord may put into the tenancy agreement. The scope of a landed house tenancy agreement is generally wider than that of an apartment, depending on the landlord, so do pay a little more attention.
The tenancy agreement agreement of a landed house is generally quite similar to that of a condo or apartment. The usual lease period, monthly rental amount and permitted list of occupants, among other things, should be stated clearly in the tenancy agreement. The tenancy agreement is usually prepared by the landlord or the landlord's agent. You will have to exercise due diligence to look through the usual residential tenancy agreement like what you would for a residential one, and on top of it, do look out for these:
Garden maintenance: most landlord will mandate that the tenant maintain the garden. Some landlords expect tenants to take up a garden maintenance contract or hire a professional gardener. By professional garden, some landlord can refer to those one or two man show Seet up where the cost is lower. Landlord is expensive in Singapore and many landed houses actually don't have really huge gardens. Do check out if the landlord lays out any specifics in the garden maintenance, as in if you have to use his gardener, etc. Do read up if the landlord stipulate any frequencies in garden maintenance. If there is, decide if it is reasonable.
Swimming pool or jacuzzi: in case the landed house has an above ground or in-ground swimming pool, most landlords will expect the tenant to take up a pool maintenance contract. Usually the maintenance is on a weekly basis. If there is currently no pool in the garden but enough space for an above ground pool which you can rent, read up if you are allowed to place one there. You may like to rent a pool yourself and you want to know you are not disallowed to do so.
Auto-gate: some landlords except tenants to take up maintenance on auto-gate. Some landlord can waive that but it really depends on the negotiations.
Security Alarm system : some landed houses come with security system installed in the house. These system usually needs paid subscription to work. Check up with landlord expect you to subscribe and pay compulsorily or leave it to you decide or the landlord is subscribing for you at his cost.
Pets: check with the landlord is open to or has a no pets policy in his rental landed house. Especially important if you have an existing pet or
There are a a number of items which can add tangible maintenance cost when it comes to renting a landed house. So do read the fine prints. Do set aside some time to think abt what you may need in future, installation of pool or jacuzzi so that you can make provision for it in the tenancy agreement or a separation agreement. Some landlords don't like items to be placed on their carpet grass patch for fear for it being damaged.
Look out for about special terms the landlord may put into the tenancy agreement. The scope of a landed house tenancy agreement is generally wider than that of an apartment, depending on the landlord, so do pay a little more attention.
You may be interested in:
Residential Condo/Landed Reviews
Condos & Landed Houses Near MRT Stations
Conservation Houses For Rent
Good Class Bungalows For Rent
Cluster Houses For Rent
Other Residential Properties For Rent
Contact Us For Further Enquiries Or Other Properties
or you can scroll down for Articles on Landed Houses
Residential Condo/Landed Reviews
Condos & Landed Houses Near MRT Stations
Conservation Houses For Rent
Good Class Bungalows For Rent
Cluster Houses For Rent
Other Residential Properties For Rent
Contact Us For Further Enquiries Or Other Properties
or you can scroll down for Articles on Landed Houses
Article 11: Good Class Bungalows
Good Class Bungalows ( is the cream of all landed housing in Singapore. Good Class Bungalows generally command the highest absolute prices compared to other residential properties in Singapore.
There are only 39 designated good class bungalow areas on the island. Good Class Bungalow or GCB can only be found in designated good class bungalow areas.
Every GCB inside the good class bungalow area are required by law to follow strict planning and redevelopment plans so as to keep up the standards of a GCB. That's how the GCBs standards are maintained in Singapore, making GCBs very sought after by the wealthy.
The land size of a GCB must be maintained at a minimum of 1400 sqm or 15,070 Sqft. If a GCB has a big plot of land, it may be subdivided subject to approval. But the subsequent divided plots must have a minimum of 15,070 Sqft. The GCBA boundaries have been rather permanent without plans to enlarge nor increase the number of houses there. As years pass by, some land plots get smaller as they get subdivided, thus making the bigger plot of GCBs more valuable.
The height of every GCB must be kept at maximum of two storeys. Basement may be allowed with some constraints.
Sitting on these 39 GCBAs are only about 2,500 GCBs. The trees and vegetations in the GCBAs tend to be more stately. Many of the trees within GCBA are under conservation. Of course, no other types of strata landed houses are allowed on GCBAs. For example, you will never see about terraces or semi-detached houses in a GCBA.
GCBs are popular among embassies, diplomats, local politicians and rich buddies businessmen. Tenants renting GCBs are likely to be Chief Executives of Multi-National Companies operating in Singapore.
Good Class Bungalows ( is the cream of all landed housing in Singapore. Good Class Bungalows generally command the highest absolute prices compared to other residential properties in Singapore.
There are only 39 designated good class bungalow areas on the island. Good Class Bungalow or GCB can only be found in designated good class bungalow areas.
Every GCB inside the good class bungalow area are required by law to follow strict planning and redevelopment plans so as to keep up the standards of a GCB. That's how the GCBs standards are maintained in Singapore, making GCBs very sought after by the wealthy.
The land size of a GCB must be maintained at a minimum of 1400 sqm or 15,070 Sqft. If a GCB has a big plot of land, it may be subdivided subject to approval. But the subsequent divided plots must have a minimum of 15,070 Sqft. The GCBA boundaries have been rather permanent without plans to enlarge nor increase the number of houses there. As years pass by, some land plots get smaller as they get subdivided, thus making the bigger plot of GCBs more valuable.
The height of every GCB must be kept at maximum of two storeys. Basement may be allowed with some constraints.
Sitting on these 39 GCBAs are only about 2,500 GCBs. The trees and vegetations in the GCBAs tend to be more stately. Many of the trees within GCBA are under conservation. Of course, no other types of strata landed houses are allowed on GCBAs. For example, you will never see about terraces or semi-detached houses in a GCBA.
GCBs are popular among embassies, diplomats, local politicians and rich buddies businessmen. Tenants renting GCBs are likely to be Chief Executives of Multi-National Companies operating in Singapore.
Article 12: Holland Road Landed House Enclave
Parallel to Bukit Timah Road is Holland Road. Just like Bukit Timah Road, the Holland area is well known as an upmarket condominium and landed housing areas. There are also a mixture of terrace houses, semi-detached houses, bungalows and good class bungalows areas at Holland.
A few popular and famous places in Holland includes Holland Village, Dempsey, The Botanical Gardens, Adam Park Food Centre and Jelita. There are also international schools like Nexus, hostels like Yoga, popular primary school like Henry Park and others.
Though the Holland Road area is considerably smaller than Bukit Timah with fewer amenities and smaller landed housing estates, some expatriates prefer the Holland area to Bukit Timah because of its slower pace in traffic, better ambience and serenity. Like Bukit Timah, Holland area has matured and manicured trees and vegetations.
Some parts of the Holland landed housing estates are actually close to public housing estates. Two of them are the Holland Grove and Holland Village. The advantage of being near public housing estate provides a variety of local food and wet market fresh produce at relatively low prices. That's a push factor for some expatriates looking to live in a landed home yet close to local amenities.
Holland is minutes drive away from
Orchard Road, slightly nearer compared to going to Orchard Road from Bukit Timah.
Holland Road is nearer to Fusionpolis, Biopolis and Science Park.
A few MRT stations like Holland Village, Dover and Farrer, serves the needs of the residents at Holland area, on top of the bus series that ply there.
There are some older landed houses or mainly older terraces and semi-detached houses at Moon Beam and Mount Sinai, while there is a large population of semi-detached houses at Holland Grove.
Parallel to Bukit Timah Road is Holland Road. Just like Bukit Timah Road, the Holland area is well known as an upmarket condominium and landed housing areas. There are also a mixture of terrace houses, semi-detached houses, bungalows and good class bungalows areas at Holland.
A few popular and famous places in Holland includes Holland Village, Dempsey, The Botanical Gardens, Adam Park Food Centre and Jelita. There are also international schools like Nexus, hostels like Yoga, popular primary school like Henry Park and others.
Though the Holland Road area is considerably smaller than Bukit Timah with fewer amenities and smaller landed housing estates, some expatriates prefer the Holland area to Bukit Timah because of its slower pace in traffic, better ambience and serenity. Like Bukit Timah, Holland area has matured and manicured trees and vegetations.
Some parts of the Holland landed housing estates are actually close to public housing estates. Two of them are the Holland Grove and Holland Village. The advantage of being near public housing estate provides a variety of local food and wet market fresh produce at relatively low prices. That's a push factor for some expatriates looking to live in a landed home yet close to local amenities.
Holland is minutes drive away from
Orchard Road, slightly nearer compared to going to Orchard Road from Bukit Timah.
Holland Road is nearer to Fusionpolis, Biopolis and Science Park.
A few MRT stations like Holland Village, Dover and Farrer, serves the needs of the residents at Holland area, on top of the bus series that ply there.
There are some older landed houses or mainly older terraces and semi-detached houses at Moon Beam and Mount Sinai, while there is a large population of semi-detached houses at Holland Grove.
Article 13: Transportation In Landed Housing Estates
Although Singapore us not a huge country, many landed estates is fairly big and some landed houses are deep in the estate with no bus services plying through.
Add in the high cost of car ownership in Singapore and the humid weather, walking from the landed houses to the main road with MRT station or bus plying can be daunting at times.
Alternative transportation can, however, be arranged for landed house residents. For kids going to and fro to schools, many international schools may be able to arrange for bus services for pick ups and drop offs.
For family outings, you can rent cars from rental companies or join car sharing set ups. Fortunately, he taxi fares in Singapore are fairly reasonable and you can call a taxi. If all else fails, you can use Uber or Grab.
For groceries purchase and even meals at home, you can buy through online marts or supermarkets for delivery to your home, this saving you that marketing trip. Meals can be delivered through online by using online food delivery companies like Deliveroo and Foodpanda. Please refer to our List of Amenities.
For daily commute to work, some residents or expats ride a motorcycle or bicycle. Some offices like Asia Square actually has a huge bicycle bay and shower facilities. Others ride a bicycle to the nearest MRT station, park it there, and take a train to work.
Although Singapore us not a huge country, many landed estates is fairly big and some landed houses are deep in the estate with no bus services plying through.
Add in the high cost of car ownership in Singapore and the humid weather, walking from the landed houses to the main road with MRT station or bus plying can be daunting at times.
Alternative transportation can, however, be arranged for landed house residents. For kids going to and fro to schools, many international schools may be able to arrange for bus services for pick ups and drop offs.
For family outings, you can rent cars from rental companies or join car sharing set ups. Fortunately, he taxi fares in Singapore are fairly reasonable and you can call a taxi. If all else fails, you can use Uber or Grab.
For groceries purchase and even meals at home, you can buy through online marts or supermarkets for delivery to your home, this saving you that marketing trip. Meals can be delivered through online by using online food delivery companies like Deliveroo and Foodpanda. Please refer to our List of Amenities.
For daily commute to work, some residents or expats ride a motorcycle or bicycle. Some offices like Asia Square actually has a huge bicycle bay and shower facilities. Others ride a bicycle to the nearest MRT station, park it there, and take a train to work.
Article 14: Pets in Singapore's Landed House
Landed houses are the best residential homes to keep pets. In the public housings like the HDB flats, cats and medium and large breeds of dogs are not allowed. There can only be maximum of one dog allowed. This is to control noise pollution and prevent nuisance among the neigbourhood.
In landed houses, there are no such restrictions but landed house residents can only keep animals that are permitted in Singapore. Besides the usual houses pets like dogs, cats, fish, birds, etc, landed house residents are not allowed to keep animals that are deemed too wild or unsuitable for Singapore, for example, monkeys, horses reptiles,snakes, squirrels, etc.
The government department in charge of household pets and licensing is Agriculture-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore. If you have a pet dog or cat that you need to bring into Singapore, you will have to obtain licensing from this authority. Quarantine for the animal may be needed. There are some private companies who help expatriates bring in their pets application.
One interesting note : even if you have a big garden in your garden, you need to coop up your pet chickens and not let them roam free. And you can't have more than 10 pets chickens at any one time.
Landed houses are the best residential homes to keep pets. In the public housings like the HDB flats, cats and medium and large breeds of dogs are not allowed. There can only be maximum of one dog allowed. This is to control noise pollution and prevent nuisance among the neigbourhood.
In landed houses, there are no such restrictions but landed house residents can only keep animals that are permitted in Singapore. Besides the usual houses pets like dogs, cats, fish, birds, etc, landed house residents are not allowed to keep animals that are deemed too wild or unsuitable for Singapore, for example, monkeys, horses reptiles,snakes, squirrels, etc.
The government department in charge of household pets and licensing is Agriculture-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore. If you have a pet dog or cat that you need to bring into Singapore, you will have to obtain licensing from this authority. Quarantine for the animal may be needed. There are some private companies who help expatriates bring in their pets application.
One interesting note : even if you have a big garden in your garden, you need to coop up your pet chickens and not let them roam free. And you can't have more than 10 pets chickens at any one time.
Article 15: Bukit Timah Estate
Bukit Timah is one of the most popular residential area in Singapore. There is a high population of landed houses located here, and they are considered prime landed properties.
There are mainly two parts of Bukit Timah. The main and more affluent part is the main Bukit Timah while the other is Upper Bukit Timah. Upper Bukit Timah is the western part of Bukit Timah and is further away from the city while containing the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Hill. The main Bukit Timah area is much larger and definitely more populated and is home to one of the largest numbers of condominiums and landed houses, popular schools and affluent population in Singapore. Let's us just only look at the main Bukit Timah area.
The two main roads that ply the Bukit Timah enclave are Bukit Timah Road and Dunearn Road. These two roads divide Bukit Timah mainly into the northern and southern zone. The northern part of the northern zone faces Pan Island Expressway while the southern zone of Bukit Timah is flanked by Holland Road to the south. These two roads are horizontal straight lines on the map of Singapore and traveling further east will be the city of Singapore - Orchard Road and Rochor.
Many bus services ply these two main and other secondary roads, for example, Sixth Avenue. Many of these buses serve residents who works in the financial districts, industrial parks and other town areas. Recent MRT stations that opened along Bukit Timah Road are Sixth Avenue, Tân Kah Kee, Beauty World and Botanical Garden MRT stations. These are on the circle line.
The Bukit Timah enclave consisted of one of the highest varieties of landed houses in Singapore, with cluster, strata terraces, semi-detached, bungalows and a number of good class bungalow areas. As. Landed houses. An only owned by local Singaporeans and a limited number of selected permanent residents, most owners and even occupants are locals. The attraction of Bukit Timah as a premium residential area, especially as a landed area has been entrenched for for many decades. A few reasons have kept Bukit Timah as a premium residential landed area:
It is just next to Orchard and downtown
It has vast lands which URA has retained for landed residential use only, keeping the area serene and exclusive
There are no public housing or HDB flats on Bukit Timah, making it exclusively for the affluent.
There are a high number of famous and popular schools like Nan Hua Primary, Hwa Chong and National Junior Colleges, pre-schools like Eton, Montessori and higher education institutions. Distance to the school is important especially for primary schools where there are limited spaces for many aspiring children trying to enrol, the distance from home to the school becomes a deciding factor to get into the school.
There are a number of food joints and malls in Bukit Timah, like Serene Centre, Bukit Timah Shopping Centre, Coronation Plaza, The Grand Stand, etc. although they are not mega malls, they nonetheless satisfy the residents there with premium supermarkets like Cold Storage, pets stores, restaurants, cafes as well as services.
Bukit Timah is also home to a number of clubs like the Swiss Club, Bukit Timah Saddle Club, Raffles Town Club, The British Club, etc.
There are no commercial, industrial or office buildings in Bukit Timah. Almost all older industrial buildings in the past have made way for residential homes.
Last but not least, Bukit Timah is very close to nature with its close proximity to the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Bukit Batok Nature Reserve. The streets of Bukit Timah are peppered with many matured trees and vegetations, as well as flowering plants.
No where in land scarce Singapore can one find such a high concentration of landed houses spread over acres of land.
Bukit Timah is one of the most popular residential area in Singapore. There is a high population of landed houses located here, and they are considered prime landed properties.
There are mainly two parts of Bukit Timah. The main and more affluent part is the main Bukit Timah while the other is Upper Bukit Timah. Upper Bukit Timah is the western part of Bukit Timah and is further away from the city while containing the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Hill. The main Bukit Timah area is much larger and definitely more populated and is home to one of the largest numbers of condominiums and landed houses, popular schools and affluent population in Singapore. Let's us just only look at the main Bukit Timah area.
The two main roads that ply the Bukit Timah enclave are Bukit Timah Road and Dunearn Road. These two roads divide Bukit Timah mainly into the northern and southern zone. The northern part of the northern zone faces Pan Island Expressway while the southern zone of Bukit Timah is flanked by Holland Road to the south. These two roads are horizontal straight lines on the map of Singapore and traveling further east will be the city of Singapore - Orchard Road and Rochor.
Many bus services ply these two main and other secondary roads, for example, Sixth Avenue. Many of these buses serve residents who works in the financial districts, industrial parks and other town areas. Recent MRT stations that opened along Bukit Timah Road are Sixth Avenue, Tân Kah Kee, Beauty World and Botanical Garden MRT stations. These are on the circle line.
The Bukit Timah enclave consisted of one of the highest varieties of landed houses in Singapore, with cluster, strata terraces, semi-detached, bungalows and a number of good class bungalow areas. As. Landed houses. An only owned by local Singaporeans and a limited number of selected permanent residents, most owners and even occupants are locals. The attraction of Bukit Timah as a premium residential area, especially as a landed area has been entrenched for for many decades. A few reasons have kept Bukit Timah as a premium residential landed area:
It is just next to Orchard and downtown
It has vast lands which URA has retained for landed residential use only, keeping the area serene and exclusive
There are no public housing or HDB flats on Bukit Timah, making it exclusively for the affluent.
There are a high number of famous and popular schools like Nan Hua Primary, Hwa Chong and National Junior Colleges, pre-schools like Eton, Montessori and higher education institutions. Distance to the school is important especially for primary schools where there are limited spaces for many aspiring children trying to enrol, the distance from home to the school becomes a deciding factor to get into the school.
There are a number of food joints and malls in Bukit Timah, like Serene Centre, Bukit Timah Shopping Centre, Coronation Plaza, The Grand Stand, etc. although they are not mega malls, they nonetheless satisfy the residents there with premium supermarkets like Cold Storage, pets stores, restaurants, cafes as well as services.
Bukit Timah is also home to a number of clubs like the Swiss Club, Bukit Timah Saddle Club, Raffles Town Club, The British Club, etc.
There are no commercial, industrial or office buildings in Bukit Timah. Almost all older industrial buildings in the past have made way for residential homes.
Last but not least, Bukit Timah is very close to nature with its close proximity to the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Bukit Batok Nature Reserve. The streets of Bukit Timah are peppered with many matured trees and vegetations, as well as flowering plants.
No where in land scarce Singapore can one find such a high concentration of landed houses spread over acres of land.
You may be interested in:
Residential Condo/Landed Reviews
Condos & Landed Houses Near MRT Stations
Conservation Houses For Rent
Good Class Bungalows For Rent
Cluster Houses For Rent
Other Residential Properties For Rent
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Residential Condo/Landed Reviews
Condos & Landed Houses Near MRT Stations
Conservation Houses For Rent
Good Class Bungalows For Rent
Cluster Houses For Rent
Other Residential Properties For Rent
Contact Us For Further Enquiries Or Other Properties
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Article 16: Possible Disputes With Landlords Of A Landed Property Tenancy And How To Avoid Them - Chemical Cleaning Of Air-Conditioners
Although Singapore is an organized country with a structured set of laws, there are still many grey areas and areas which the lawmakers would rather leave it to the parries involved to negotiate. Some expatriates feel the law generally is fair, others feel they tend to be skewed to protect the interest of the property owners.
In my 13 years of being a Property Agent, and after been through hundreds of tenancies, the tend to be some common disputes that can happen between landlords and tenants in landed and other types of property tenancies. One common dispute is air- conditioner chemical cleaning.
Most tenancy agreements only state that tenants are responsible for the quarterly servicing of air-conditioners but they won't mention about chemical cleaning. Because usually a landed house is bigger and has more bed rooms and living spaces (family area is more common in landed houses than in apartments) than apartments, there are usually more air-conditioners than apartments. Some landed houses even use cassette air-conditioners in the living rooms and install air-conditioners in the kitchen and the helper's room. More air-conditioners means the issue of chemical cleaning for landed homes can be more acute.
Usually, Singaporean landlords of apartments and landed homes are either not familiar with through concept of chemical cleaning air-conditioners or don't think that chemical cleaning air-conditioners is really necessary at all. To most landed home landlords, the normal standard servicing is sufficient to keep air-conditioners in good running condition for its entire life-span. Some landed home landlords may even believe that chemical cleaning is a means for air-conditioners servicing contractors to earn a quick buck so they will get very negative about it. Typically, a normal servicing for a standard air-conditioner unit cost about $25 to $35 while a chemical cleaning for the same unit can cost about $85 to $120. Chemical cleaning cost about four times that of the standard cleaning. Imagine that for a three storey landed home with 5 bed rooms and living areas, the chemical cleaning bill can rack up to almost a thousand dollars. No wonder it can be an issue of contention.
Most landed home landlords do not mention chemical cleaning of air-conditioners either because they are not aware or familiar, or they simply do not think chemical cleaning is an issue that needs to be addressed.
Most expatriates are also not familiar or aware of such a technique known as chemical cleaning of air-conditioners. So most expatriate tenants will not ask the landlord on who will pay for the chemical cleaning before they sign the lease. Some might be aware of such a technology or service. But rather leave it as it is.
Usually the issue pops up when during one of the air-conditioner servicing routine , the serviceman points out to the tenant that the air-conditioners are not as cold as it should be due to lack of chemical cleaning. Many tenants won't want to pay, and when the question of paying was posed to the landlord, many landlords either feel that chemical cleaning is not part of repair and nor is it necessary. Many times, tenants leave it as it is, but feeling kinda short changed. Other times, tenants feel u comfortable and take into a tussle with their landlords. Sometimes, either due to lack chemical or otherwise, the air-conditioners got choked up and start to leak water. It can be quite frustrating for the tenant in this case. But at times, a simple air-conditioning servicing may also solve the issue.
If you are planning to lease a landed home, do look out and check out on the arrangement on air-conditioning servicing before you sign on the dotted line, otherwise it may become your liability.
Although Singapore is an organized country with a structured set of laws, there are still many grey areas and areas which the lawmakers would rather leave it to the parries involved to negotiate. Some expatriates feel the law generally is fair, others feel they tend to be skewed to protect the interest of the property owners.
In my 13 years of being a Property Agent, and after been through hundreds of tenancies, the tend to be some common disputes that can happen between landlords and tenants in landed and other types of property tenancies. One common dispute is air- conditioner chemical cleaning.
Most tenancy agreements only state that tenants are responsible for the quarterly servicing of air-conditioners but they won't mention about chemical cleaning. Because usually a landed house is bigger and has more bed rooms and living spaces (family area is more common in landed houses than in apartments) than apartments, there are usually more air-conditioners than apartments. Some landed houses even use cassette air-conditioners in the living rooms and install air-conditioners in the kitchen and the helper's room. More air-conditioners means the issue of chemical cleaning for landed homes can be more acute.
Usually, Singaporean landlords of apartments and landed homes are either not familiar with through concept of chemical cleaning air-conditioners or don't think that chemical cleaning air-conditioners is really necessary at all. To most landed home landlords, the normal standard servicing is sufficient to keep air-conditioners in good running condition for its entire life-span. Some landed home landlords may even believe that chemical cleaning is a means for air-conditioners servicing contractors to earn a quick buck so they will get very negative about it. Typically, a normal servicing for a standard air-conditioner unit cost about $25 to $35 while a chemical cleaning for the same unit can cost about $85 to $120. Chemical cleaning cost about four times that of the standard cleaning. Imagine that for a three storey landed home with 5 bed rooms and living areas, the chemical cleaning bill can rack up to almost a thousand dollars. No wonder it can be an issue of contention.
Most landed home landlords do not mention chemical cleaning of air-conditioners either because they are not aware or familiar, or they simply do not think chemical cleaning is an issue that needs to be addressed.
Most expatriates are also not familiar or aware of such a technique known as chemical cleaning of air-conditioners. So most expatriate tenants will not ask the landlord on who will pay for the chemical cleaning before they sign the lease. Some might be aware of such a technology or service. But rather leave it as it is.
Usually the issue pops up when during one of the air-conditioner servicing routine , the serviceman points out to the tenant that the air-conditioners are not as cold as it should be due to lack of chemical cleaning. Many tenants won't want to pay, and when the question of paying was posed to the landlord, many landlords either feel that chemical cleaning is not part of repair and nor is it necessary. Many times, tenants leave it as it is, but feeling kinda short changed. Other times, tenants feel u comfortable and take into a tussle with their landlords. Sometimes, either due to lack chemical or otherwise, the air-conditioners got choked up and start to leak water. It can be quite frustrating for the tenant in this case. But at times, a simple air-conditioning servicing may also solve the issue.
If you are planning to lease a landed home, do look out and check out on the arrangement on air-conditioning servicing before you sign on the dotted line, otherwise it may become your liability.
Article 17: Landed Houses and Pest
The Ministry of the Environment of Singapore takes a systematic and stringent approach to keep Singapore streets clean and hygienic. Fumigation and constant dengue check are part of the preventive measures. In private condominium estates, there are condo by laws to set aside certain budget ensuring that the common areas, garden and rubbish chutes in the condominium compound are being fumigated regularly, cleaned and checked to reduce pest.
For landed property estates, the Singapore government will conduct fumigation exercises in public areas and send inspectors to go round to check for pest and signs of mosquitoes breeding.
Inspectors from the Ministry of Environment will also go from door to door of landed houses to carry out impromptu inspection of the garden within the house. The concern of the Ministry of Environment is water stagnation within the house, e.g. pots, plates, leaves, ponds may be filled with stagnant water which can breed mosquitoes. In Singapore, the most common disease carried by mosquitoes is dengue fever, which can cause severe body aches and fever, leading to death in certain cases. Lately, there is also Zika disease being transmitted by mosquitoes, although it seems much milder than dengue.
If residents at landed houses are being caught with mosquito breeding, he can be fined for about $200 for the first time offenders. For repeat offenders, the fine wil be heavier and jail terms are impossible.
Public fumigation is applicable only public areas. Residents of landed properties will have to carry out fumigation in their garden and inside the house on their own arrangement and at their own cost.
Usually many landlords will dictate on the tenancy agreement that tenants of their landed house have to take up annual pest control at the tenants' cost.
Besides mosquitoes, other common pest that you may find in landed homes are cockroaches, houseflies, flies, works, lizards, termites, etc. Rats as a pest does exist in Singapore but they are uncommon in residential landed houses in Singapore.
Most pest are mainly irritating and unsightly though they can present some hygiene problems. For some pest like termites, they can be nightmarish. Due to the humid weather in Singapore, termites can be commonly found in apartments and more so in landed houses.
The usual remedies to these pest are regularly cleaning of the house, using pesticide sprays, approved pest poisons, electric devices, guest glue, etc.
It's imperative to conduct checks regularly for termite infestations as termites can quickly destroy the carpentries inside a landed houses. Wooden cabinets and the contents inside can be quickly damaged without residents noticing them. Usually, termites tend to leave behind a trail of sand powder near their nest. Termites' bite can be nasty, so do not get near them.
Termites problem can usually be solved with pest control companies dropping poisons near their nest. In cases of termites attack and damage, landlords and tenants can get into a argument as both parties may point at each other for the damages in properties and possessions.
Once in a while there can be bee hives on the trees and at the side of the buildings in landed homes. These can be solved by hiring a professional pest control company.
The Ministry of the Environment of Singapore takes a systematic and stringent approach to keep Singapore streets clean and hygienic. Fumigation and constant dengue check are part of the preventive measures. In private condominium estates, there are condo by laws to set aside certain budget ensuring that the common areas, garden and rubbish chutes in the condominium compound are being fumigated regularly, cleaned and checked to reduce pest.
For landed property estates, the Singapore government will conduct fumigation exercises in public areas and send inspectors to go round to check for pest and signs of mosquitoes breeding.
Inspectors from the Ministry of Environment will also go from door to door of landed houses to carry out impromptu inspection of the garden within the house. The concern of the Ministry of Environment is water stagnation within the house, e.g. pots, plates, leaves, ponds may be filled with stagnant water which can breed mosquitoes. In Singapore, the most common disease carried by mosquitoes is dengue fever, which can cause severe body aches and fever, leading to death in certain cases. Lately, there is also Zika disease being transmitted by mosquitoes, although it seems much milder than dengue.
If residents at landed houses are being caught with mosquito breeding, he can be fined for about $200 for the first time offenders. For repeat offenders, the fine wil be heavier and jail terms are impossible.
Public fumigation is applicable only public areas. Residents of landed properties will have to carry out fumigation in their garden and inside the house on their own arrangement and at their own cost.
Usually many landlords will dictate on the tenancy agreement that tenants of their landed house have to take up annual pest control at the tenants' cost.
Besides mosquitoes, other common pest that you may find in landed homes are cockroaches, houseflies, flies, works, lizards, termites, etc. Rats as a pest does exist in Singapore but they are uncommon in residential landed houses in Singapore.
Most pest are mainly irritating and unsightly though they can present some hygiene problems. For some pest like termites, they can be nightmarish. Due to the humid weather in Singapore, termites can be commonly found in apartments and more so in landed houses.
The usual remedies to these pest are regularly cleaning of the house, using pesticide sprays, approved pest poisons, electric devices, guest glue, etc.
It's imperative to conduct checks regularly for termite infestations as termites can quickly destroy the carpentries inside a landed houses. Wooden cabinets and the contents inside can be quickly damaged without residents noticing them. Usually, termites tend to leave behind a trail of sand powder near their nest. Termites' bite can be nasty, so do not get near them.
Termites problem can usually be solved with pest control companies dropping poisons near their nest. In cases of termites attack and damage, landlords and tenants can get into a argument as both parties may point at each other for the damages in properties and possessions.
Once in a while there can be bee hives on the trees and at the side of the buildings in landed homes. These can be solved by hiring a professional pest control company.
Article 18: Most Mistakes Tenants Made in Renting Landed Properties
Most tenants are swayed by emotions when deciding to rent a landed house. It is usual to be swayed by emotions, it is after all a very personal decision when choosing a home to live for the next one to two years.
A few things can sometimes go wrong in the process of choosing that dream rental home.
One of the mistakes is overpaying. Landed properties have more distinctions than apartments. It is easier to compare prices of an apartment as almost all the apartments in the same stack has the same layout, but just different or slightly different views due to the height difference. Whereas for landed properties, the house on the left and right can have vast differences due to being developed by different developers, renovation and addition over the years, different types of gardens, etc.
When the difference between each landed house is much higher, it is more difficult to judge the rental worth of each house. So sometimes tenants can be swayed a lot higher.
Some tenants may overlooked on the hidden problems in the house. Usually,due to the size and more complex layout of a landed house, tenants may miss certain defects which may come back to haunt them after get mover in. For example, they may not realized that the house is termite infested until after they moved in.
Maintenance of the landed house can be a chore but that may not be on a tenant's mind when they first viewed the house. The maintenance and housekeeping can be a nightmare for some people who wants to balance between keeping being tip top clean and spending less efforts and time.
Some tenants can overlook on the traveling distance and time on getting out of their landed house. They can become a pain in the future when they realized it.
Too big - landed homes can become too big although there is no such thing as too big for some tenants, it really can be a big minus when it started to feel cold and lonely living in too big a space.
Some landed homes don't have a granny or guest bed room at the ground level, others don't have a toilet on the ground level. When the needs arises with old folks around or when one temporarily or permanently needs can't walk, then it will be a big bane.
Do take note of mistakes of choices when picking a landed home:
Most tenants are swayed by emotions when deciding to rent a landed house. It is usual to be swayed by emotions, it is after all a very personal decision when choosing a home to live for the next one to two years.
A few things can sometimes go wrong in the process of choosing that dream rental home.
One of the mistakes is overpaying. Landed properties have more distinctions than apartments. It is easier to compare prices of an apartment as almost all the apartments in the same stack has the same layout, but just different or slightly different views due to the height difference. Whereas for landed properties, the house on the left and right can have vast differences due to being developed by different developers, renovation and addition over the years, different types of gardens, etc.
When the difference between each landed house is much higher, it is more difficult to judge the rental worth of each house. So sometimes tenants can be swayed a lot higher.
Some tenants may overlooked on the hidden problems in the house. Usually,due to the size and more complex layout of a landed house, tenants may miss certain defects which may come back to haunt them after get mover in. For example, they may not realized that the house is termite infested until after they moved in.
Maintenance of the landed house can be a chore but that may not be on a tenant's mind when they first viewed the house. The maintenance and housekeeping can be a nightmare for some people who wants to balance between keeping being tip top clean and spending less efforts and time.
Some tenants can overlook on the traveling distance and time on getting out of their landed house. They can become a pain in the future when they realized it.
Too big - landed homes can become too big although there is no such thing as too big for some tenants, it really can be a big minus when it started to feel cold and lonely living in too big a space.
Some landed homes don't have a granny or guest bed room at the ground level, others don't have a toilet on the ground level. When the needs arises with old folks around or when one temporarily or permanently needs can't walk, then it will be a big bane.
Do take note of mistakes of choices when picking a landed home:
Article 19: Renting a Landed House Versus Renting a Condominium
There are various factors you have consider if you have to decide between renting a landed home or condominium.
Most expatriates will end up renting condominiums for various reasons and constraints. But this doesn't mean landed homes are less desirable, but it is actually less attainable for some.
Price - landed properties generally cost more to rent than condominiums because the built in space are generally bigger than that of condominiums. So while the per Square feet rental of landed house can be lower than many condominiums, the absolute monthly rental price of a landed house can be more because the built in size is bigger.
Location - most condominiums generally are located in convenient locations while it's the opposite for most landed houses. There are actually some well located landed houses too but far fewer than well located condominiums. On the other hand, not well located at times can also mean having an exclusive address at times.
Facilities - except for a few examples, almost all landed homes don't come with facilities. Some landed jones may have pool or a few rare ones come with tennis court. Most landed homes come with its own enclosed private car park area. Those 'landed properties' that come with faculties are usually not strata houses. They are usually a cluster house, townhouse, or conservation house that is part of a condominium. One example of a landed shophouse being part of a condominium with faculties is Lotus at Joo Chiat.
Maintenance - There are a host of maintenance that need to be done at a landed home which one can avoid when one live at condominiums. Maintenance issues like pest control in garden areas, gardening, pool maintenance( if the landed property has a pool), and other miscellaneous external house chores.
Views - most condominiums dwellers enjoy a lot better views than dwellers of landed homes.
A landed home can add a lot of zest to your life by allowing you to do serious gardening if you are a gardening fan, have a lot more privacy with no neighbours on top and no neighbours sharing walls with you if you are living in a bungalow.
Gardens or courtyards can be the perfect places for entertainments or when friends come over. Throwing some suitable outdoor furnitures can certainly enhance your lifestyle. This is not quite possible if you live in condominiums.
There are various factors you have consider if you have to decide between renting a landed home or condominium.
Most expatriates will end up renting condominiums for various reasons and constraints. But this doesn't mean landed homes are less desirable, but it is actually less attainable for some.
Price - landed properties generally cost more to rent than condominiums because the built in space are generally bigger than that of condominiums. So while the per Square feet rental of landed house can be lower than many condominiums, the absolute monthly rental price of a landed house can be more because the built in size is bigger.
Location - most condominiums generally are located in convenient locations while it's the opposite for most landed houses. There are actually some well located landed houses too but far fewer than well located condominiums. On the other hand, not well located at times can also mean having an exclusive address at times.
Facilities - except for a few examples, almost all landed homes don't come with facilities. Some landed jones may have pool or a few rare ones come with tennis court. Most landed homes come with its own enclosed private car park area. Those 'landed properties' that come with faculties are usually not strata houses. They are usually a cluster house, townhouse, or conservation house that is part of a condominium. One example of a landed shophouse being part of a condominium with faculties is Lotus at Joo Chiat.
Maintenance - There are a host of maintenance that need to be done at a landed home which one can avoid when one live at condominiums. Maintenance issues like pest control in garden areas, gardening, pool maintenance( if the landed property has a pool), and other miscellaneous external house chores.
Views - most condominiums dwellers enjoy a lot better views than dwellers of landed homes.
A landed home can add a lot of zest to your life by allowing you to do serious gardening if you are a gardening fan, have a lot more privacy with no neighbours on top and no neighbours sharing walls with you if you are living in a bungalow.
Gardens or courtyards can be the perfect places for entertainments or when friends come over. Throwing some suitable outdoor furnitures can certainly enhance your lifestyle. This is not quite possible if you live in condominiums.
Article 20 - Renting a landed house at Pasir Panjang
The Pasir Panjang enclave offers landed Tenants an exclusively private property living with zero HDB flats or public housings. Most of the condominium blocks at Pasir Panjang are low rise with most residential buildings not exceeding 6 storeys.
Most of the landed residential houses at Pasir Panjang are terraces, corner terraces and semi-detaches. There are only a handful of bungalows or fully detached landed houses in Pasir Panjang. Most of the residential housings in Pasir Panjang are Low rise condominiums, with clusters of landed properties around Pasir Panjang.
The typical price of landed houses at Pasir Panjang at $3,809 to $13,800, is much lower than that at Bukit Timah and Holland. Mainly because of the location and the sizes of the landed houses and the Built up of the landed houses. The height of the landed in Pasir a Panjang have many in the 3 and 4 storeys including roof top terraces. The average land size of residential landed properties is about 4551 Sqft - 7189 sqft.
The gardens tend to be relatively small due to the relatively smaller plots of land. Relative to landed in the primes districts and East Coast areas, with contemporary architectures. There aren’t many new landed houses in Pasir Panjang lately as most of the new residential developments are condos instead.
What Pasir Panjang offers landed house residents and the general residents is a unique laid back character. The Pasir Panjang enclave is nestled adjacent alongside the west coast. There were then numerous landed housing fronting he sea. It was then considered a haven for the rich with their big landed houses, not that different from that of the East Coast,Katong and Joo Chiat. After the government relocated the container ports to the west coast, many of the landed houses have to be demolished after the land were acquired by the government.
Although the residential landed scene has lost some of its charm from yesteryears, Pasir Panjang has still managed to retain a certain tranquil and peaceful feel to it.adding on the vicinity of Science Park 1 and 2, Biopolis, Mapletree City, VivoCity, NUS, expressways like AYE, ECP, Mediacity at Portsdown Road, Pasir Panjang is able to fulfill the needs of many expatriates.
The Pasir Panjang enclave offers landed Tenants an exclusively private property living with zero HDB flats or public housings. Most of the condominium blocks at Pasir Panjang are low rise with most residential buildings not exceeding 6 storeys.
Most of the landed residential houses at Pasir Panjang are terraces, corner terraces and semi-detaches. There are only a handful of bungalows or fully detached landed houses in Pasir Panjang. Most of the residential housings in Pasir Panjang are Low rise condominiums, with clusters of landed properties around Pasir Panjang.
The typical price of landed houses at Pasir Panjang at $3,809 to $13,800, is much lower than that at Bukit Timah and Holland. Mainly because of the location and the sizes of the landed houses and the Built up of the landed houses. The height of the landed in Pasir a Panjang have many in the 3 and 4 storeys including roof top terraces. The average land size of residential landed properties is about 4551 Sqft - 7189 sqft.
The gardens tend to be relatively small due to the relatively smaller plots of land. Relative to landed in the primes districts and East Coast areas, with contemporary architectures. There aren’t many new landed houses in Pasir Panjang lately as most of the new residential developments are condos instead.
What Pasir Panjang offers landed house residents and the general residents is a unique laid back character. The Pasir Panjang enclave is nestled adjacent alongside the west coast. There were then numerous landed housing fronting he sea. It was then considered a haven for the rich with their big landed houses, not that different from that of the East Coast,Katong and Joo Chiat. After the government relocated the container ports to the west coast, many of the landed houses have to be demolished after the land were acquired by the government.
Although the residential landed scene has lost some of its charm from yesteryears, Pasir Panjang has still managed to retain a certain tranquil and peaceful feel to it.adding on the vicinity of Science Park 1 and 2, Biopolis, Mapletree City, VivoCity, NUS, expressways like AYE, ECP, Mediacity at Portsdown Road, Pasir Panjang is able to fulfill the needs of many expatriates.
Article 21 - Are landed Houses in Singapore prone to floods?
The Singapore government has in most of the last 30 years or so, done very well in the water irrigation and planning of water canal control. Prior to that, when Singapore was still a developing country, there were flash floods in low lying parts of Sibgapore, thus causing certain landed houses to experience floods.
In the seventies where many landed housings are actually made of largely wooden walls and zinc roofs and are grouped in what we know as kampungs, the Malay definition of a village, there are many cases of flash floods affecting landed housings or even the high rise housings as well.
The Singapore government has in most of the last 30 years or so, done very well in the water irrigation and planning of water canal control. Prior to that, when Singapore was still a developing country, there were flash floods in low lying parts of Sibgapore, thus causing certain landed houses to experience floods.
In the seventies where many landed housings are actually made of largely wooden walls and zinc roofs and are grouped in what we know as kampungs, the Malay definition of a village, there are many cases of flash floods affecting landed housings or even the high rise housings as well.
Article 22 - What’s the cost involved in tenant renting a landed property?
The main upfront cost of renting a landed property are the security deposits and one month advance payment. Depending on the tenure of the lease,the security deposit can range typically from one to two months for one to two years lease. For a three year lease, the security deposit will be three months. These amount of security deposits is more the norm than a legal requirement. Which means that at times, as a tenant, one can negotiate for a lower security deposit. Vice versa for the landlord.
There is also the cost of paying the stamp duty. The cost of stamp duty is calculated by
taking the rental amount multiply by the number of months lease divide by 250. It is required by law for the tenant to pay the stamp duty. For most rentals, it is typically about a few hundred dollars for the stamp duty for a two years lease.
Tenants have to also prepare for the cost of movers which can cost more than a thousand dollars to a few thousand dollars for a landed house. Although the landlord is usually obliged to do a general cleaning of the landed house before you move in, but often, after moving in, you may find the house’s cleanliness not up to your expectations And if you do not have your own helper, then you may want to consider hiring a cleaning company to do another round o cleaning. This can cost a few hundred to a thousand over dollars.
The main upfront cost of renting a landed property are the security deposits and one month advance payment. Depending on the tenure of the lease,the security deposit can range typically from one to two months for one to two years lease. For a three year lease, the security deposit will be three months. These amount of security deposits is more the norm than a legal requirement. Which means that at times, as a tenant, one can negotiate for a lower security deposit. Vice versa for the landlord.
There is also the cost of paying the stamp duty. The cost of stamp duty is calculated by
taking the rental amount multiply by the number of months lease divide by 250. It is required by law for the tenant to pay the stamp duty. For most rentals, it is typically about a few hundred dollars for the stamp duty for a two years lease.
Tenants have to also prepare for the cost of movers which can cost more than a thousand dollars to a few thousand dollars for a landed house. Although the landlord is usually obliged to do a general cleaning of the landed house before you move in, but often, after moving in, you may find the house’s cleanliness not up to your expectations And if you do not have your own helper, then you may want to consider hiring a cleaning company to do another round o cleaning. This can cost a few hundred to a thousand over dollars.
Article 23 - Landed properties or houses on higher grounds
It’s not everyone’s piece of cake but it’s certainly worth taking a look at landed houses that are situated on higher grounds.
There are limited mountains and hills in Singapore. Actually, there are no mountains in Singapore, and the so called hills are really not that hilly or tall.
Mount Faber is hardly a mountain actually, and probably is a hill. Landed properties are almost non existent on Mount Faber. Only a few condominiums are built at the foot of Mount Faber.
Mount Echo Park and Mount Elizabeth are nothing close to the height of even a low hill. They are just areas on a higher ground level. Mount Echo Park is an exclusive Good Class Bungalow Area and is home to a small cluster of good class bungalows. While Mount Elizabeth has a handful of mainly rather old terrace houses. The other residential enclave that’s is worth mentioning is Emerald Hill. Emerald Hill is pretty well known for its cluster of landed houses, but not quite the typical landed houses. The landed houses that’s giving Emerald Hill that picturesque look are the Peranakan inspired conservation shophouses that’s lining the streets of Emerald Hill. Emerald Hill is a moderately long street that’s inclined upwards as it starts from Orchard Road all the way until it ends at around Cairnhill Road.
Other notable areas where landed houses are found on higher grounds Pasir Panjang Hill, Balmoral Hill and Fifth Avenue. Pasir Pamjang Hill is located in district 5, where it was once one of the favourite spot in Singapore for landed housing for the rich, until the seaside areas were converted into harbour ports. The landed houses located on Pasir Panjang Hill are just a handful, as most of the housing there are apartments. There are Bungalows, semi detached houses and terrace houses on Pasir Panjang Hill, some having double frontage, with the other frontage on South Buona Vista Road. Balmoral Hill has probably fewer than 10 landed houses, mostly built quite many years back. Fifth Avenue on the other hand, is another designated good class bungalow area. It is located very near to Sixth Avenue and houses near rows of luxury good class bungalows.
It’s not everyone’s piece of cake but it’s certainly worth taking a look at landed houses that are situated on higher grounds.
There are limited mountains and hills in Singapore. Actually, there are no mountains in Singapore, and the so called hills are really not that hilly or tall.
Mount Faber is hardly a mountain actually, and probably is a hill. Landed properties are almost non existent on Mount Faber. Only a few condominiums are built at the foot of Mount Faber.
Mount Echo Park and Mount Elizabeth are nothing close to the height of even a low hill. They are just areas on a higher ground level. Mount Echo Park is an exclusive Good Class Bungalow Area and is home to a small cluster of good class bungalows. While Mount Elizabeth has a handful of mainly rather old terrace houses. The other residential enclave that’s is worth mentioning is Emerald Hill. Emerald Hill is pretty well known for its cluster of landed houses, but not quite the typical landed houses. The landed houses that’s giving Emerald Hill that picturesque look are the Peranakan inspired conservation shophouses that’s lining the streets of Emerald Hill. Emerald Hill is a moderately long street that’s inclined upwards as it starts from Orchard Road all the way until it ends at around Cairnhill Road.
Other notable areas where landed houses are found on higher grounds Pasir Panjang Hill, Balmoral Hill and Fifth Avenue. Pasir Pamjang Hill is located in district 5, where it was once one of the favourite spot in Singapore for landed housing for the rich, until the seaside areas were converted into harbour ports. The landed houses located on Pasir Panjang Hill are just a handful, as most of the housing there are apartments. There are Bungalows, semi detached houses and terrace houses on Pasir Panjang Hill, some having double frontage, with the other frontage on South Buona Vista Road. Balmoral Hill has probably fewer than 10 landed houses, mostly built quite many years back. Fifth Avenue on the other hand, is another designated good class bungalow area. It is located very near to Sixth Avenue and houses near rows of luxury good class bungalows.
Article 24 - The Lure of Bukit Timah landed housing - The Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
One of the attraction of moving into a landed house in Bukit Timah lies in its proximity to the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. The Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is about 12 km from the city centre. Along this stretch of 12km lies thousands of landed houses. Nowhere in Singapore does one find such a high concentration of landed housings. Singapore is located almost right smack on the equator, making Singapore a hot tropical country. It also means that Bukit Timah Nature Reserve has a very diversified ecological system, a treat for those who appreciates nature.
Living in the landed houses and condo on Bukit Timah accords residents the 163 hectares Nature Reserve, and the Bukit Timah Hill.
Typically, I feel that living in a landed house with garden on Bukit Timah feels like having an external extended garden from one’s own private garden. And being able to be always close to nature.
At the base of the Bukit Timah Hill is a small cluster of landed houses consisting of mainly terraces and semi-detached houses, cluster houses and a handful of bungalows, some semi detached houses and terraces.
One of the attraction of moving into a landed house in Bukit Timah lies in its proximity to the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. The Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is about 12 km from the city centre. Along this stretch of 12km lies thousands of landed houses. Nowhere in Singapore does one find such a high concentration of landed housings. Singapore is located almost right smack on the equator, making Singapore a hot tropical country. It also means that Bukit Timah Nature Reserve has a very diversified ecological system, a treat for those who appreciates nature.
Living in the landed houses and condo on Bukit Timah accords residents the 163 hectares Nature Reserve, and the Bukit Timah Hill.
Typically, I feel that living in a landed house with garden on Bukit Timah feels like having an external extended garden from one’s own private garden. And being able to be always close to nature.
At the base of the Bukit Timah Hill is a small cluster of landed houses consisting of mainly terraces and semi-detached houses, cluster houses and a handful of bungalows, some semi detached houses and terraces.
Article 25 - What factors affect the rental price of a landed house in Singapore?
A myriad of factors , in fact, make it break the marketability of a rental landed house. Some are more tangible than the others.
The more tangible factors are:
Location - popular locations are those in Bukit Timah, Holland Road, East Coast, near amenities, MRT statins, recreation clubs, city centre
Land size - naturally, a bigger land will command a higher price generally. But a more squarish regular shape land with the frontage longer than the depth, flat or upslope land is generally easier to built a house with more attractive architecture and functions.
Built up size - the bigger the better, generally speaking, but one must also look at how good and efficient is the layout inside. Some houses have a really clever layout that can make houses with average built up sizes look really great.
Number of bed rooms
Size of garden
Age of the house - older houses can be as or even more attractive than new houses. A great example will be conservation houses and conservation shophouses. These conserved properties hold a certain level of attractiveness to those who appreciates them
Any major recent renovation to the house
Presence of a swimming pool - landed houses with indoor swimming pool is very rare in Singapore. Outdoor Swimming pool wise, it’s normally either in ground or above ground. The in ground swimming pools are of course more desirable.
The less tangible factors are:
Architecture
Landscape
Interior design
Furnishings - most rental landed properties only come as partially furnished not fully furnished
Upkeep and cleanliness
Facing - some tenants are wary about west sun that are hot on say a bungalow, semi-detached or a corner terrace that’s at the extreme end of a row of terraces, others are concerned on the facing of the house on religious grounds.
Granny’s room on the ground floor
Amount of natural light that comes into the house
A myriad of factors , in fact, make it break the marketability of a rental landed house. Some are more tangible than the others.
The more tangible factors are:
Location - popular locations are those in Bukit Timah, Holland Road, East Coast, near amenities, MRT statins, recreation clubs, city centre
Land size - naturally, a bigger land will command a higher price generally. But a more squarish regular shape land with the frontage longer than the depth, flat or upslope land is generally easier to built a house with more attractive architecture and functions.
Built up size - the bigger the better, generally speaking, but one must also look at how good and efficient is the layout inside. Some houses have a really clever layout that can make houses with average built up sizes look really great.
Number of bed rooms
Size of garden
Age of the house - older houses can be as or even more attractive than new houses. A great example will be conservation houses and conservation shophouses. These conserved properties hold a certain level of attractiveness to those who appreciates them
Any major recent renovation to the house
Presence of a swimming pool - landed houses with indoor swimming pool is very rare in Singapore. Outdoor Swimming pool wise, it’s normally either in ground or above ground. The in ground swimming pools are of course more desirable.
The less tangible factors are:
Architecture
Landscape
Interior design
Furnishings - most rental landed properties only come as partially furnished not fully furnished
Upkeep and cleanliness
Facing - some tenants are wary about west sun that are hot on say a bungalow, semi-detached or a corner terrace that’s at the extreme end of a row of terraces, others are concerned on the facing of the house on religious grounds.
Granny’s room on the ground floor
Amount of natural light that comes into the house
Article 26 - The Holland landed housing enclave versus Bukit Timah
The main Holland road area is a Long strip of road that’s popular for hunters of rental landed house. Holland road starts where Ulu Pandan ends. Ulu Pandan is located near the junction where Sunset Way and Clementi Road meet. From there, it stretches all the way to the junction where Farrer Road meets Tanglin Road.
Although the Holland Road landed housing enclave has a small population of landed houses compared to the Bukit Timah area, there is a certain charm that may not be evident in Bukit Timah.
To start with, Holland Road is shorter than Bukit Timah Road. Both roads are roughly parallel to each other with Bukit Timah Road “on top” of Holland Road. Holland Road also has a slightly lighter traffic than Bukit Timah. One of the reason that Bukit Timah has a heavier traffic is that Bukit Timah Road is the direct toad connecting traffic from Bukit Panjang, Bukit Batok and Upper Bukit Timah to the town area of Newton/Orchard Road and Rochor Road. Whereas Holland Road, while not having a direct traffic leasing into it, is also sandwiched between Bukit Timah and Commonwealth Avenue, this having these 2 roads helping to divert traffic away from Holland Road.
One of the other attraction about Holland Road is Holland Village. Holland Village is located roughly on the centre of Holland Road. Holland village is a hotspot of dining, clubbing and chill out places. Highly popular with the expat population as well as the locals. There is also a quaint retro Holland Village Shopping Center hosting a 24 hour Cold Storage Supermarket and Lim’s Furniture Store featuring southeast Asian rustic and wood based furnitures that are one of the western expat’s choices. There is also Holland Village MRT station which sits on the circle line. But the other main draw of Holland Village is probably the rows of conserved houses that are really so full of characters.
Another point worth mentioning about the Holland Road landed housing is that some of them are pretty near to the heartland conveniences and there is a special mind of attraction living close to local culture and food. One example is the Holland Grove landed estate, which is located just next to the Ghim Moh HDB estate. The other example is the landed enclave on Leedon, which is just next to Farrer Park HDB heartland.
The main Holland road area is a Long strip of road that’s popular for hunters of rental landed house. Holland road starts where Ulu Pandan ends. Ulu Pandan is located near the junction where Sunset Way and Clementi Road meet. From there, it stretches all the way to the junction where Farrer Road meets Tanglin Road.
Although the Holland Road landed housing enclave has a small population of landed houses compared to the Bukit Timah area, there is a certain charm that may not be evident in Bukit Timah.
To start with, Holland Road is shorter than Bukit Timah Road. Both roads are roughly parallel to each other with Bukit Timah Road “on top” of Holland Road. Holland Road also has a slightly lighter traffic than Bukit Timah. One of the reason that Bukit Timah has a heavier traffic is that Bukit Timah Road is the direct toad connecting traffic from Bukit Panjang, Bukit Batok and Upper Bukit Timah to the town area of Newton/Orchard Road and Rochor Road. Whereas Holland Road, while not having a direct traffic leasing into it, is also sandwiched between Bukit Timah and Commonwealth Avenue, this having these 2 roads helping to divert traffic away from Holland Road.
One of the other attraction about Holland Road is Holland Village. Holland Village is located roughly on the centre of Holland Road. Holland village is a hotspot of dining, clubbing and chill out places. Highly popular with the expat population as well as the locals. There is also a quaint retro Holland Village Shopping Center hosting a 24 hour Cold Storage Supermarket and Lim’s Furniture Store featuring southeast Asian rustic and wood based furnitures that are one of the western expat’s choices. There is also Holland Village MRT station which sits on the circle line. But the other main draw of Holland Village is probably the rows of conserved houses that are really so full of characters.
Another point worth mentioning about the Holland Road landed housing is that some of them are pretty near to the heartland conveniences and there is a special mind of attraction living close to local culture and food. One example is the Holland Grove landed estate, which is located just next to the Ghim Moh HDB estate. The other example is the landed enclave on Leedon, which is just next to Farrer Park HDB heartland.
Article 27 - Landed residential house for rent in district 1
There is literally no modern landed house being built in district 1, the business and financial district of Singapore. Even the old land houses which were built in the past and if they still exist now, would have become what we know as the conservation houses or conservation shophouses. Even for these conserved properties, they are normally zoned as commercial usage, which ends up mostly for restaurants,cafes, offices and other services. For those very rare residential unit in landed houses or conserved houses, one may find them in Gemmill Lane.
There is literally no modern landed house being built in district 1, the business and financial district of Singapore. Even the old land houses which were built in the past and if they still exist now, would have become what we know as the conservation houses or conservation shophouses. Even for these conserved properties, they are normally zoned as commercial usage, which ends up mostly for restaurants,cafes, offices and other services. For those very rare residential unit in landed houses or conserved houses, one may find them in Gemmill Lane.
Article 28 - Landed residential house for rent in district 2
Although district 2 is considered mainly a business district, it’s not completely so when you consider that district 2 includes Chinatown, Tanjong Pagar and Spottiswoode. These places mentioned host a number of HDB flats and a number of conservation shophouses zoned for residential usage.
Similar to district 1, district 2 doesn’t have modern landed properties built on them. All or almost all the landed properties on district 2 are under conservation. The government has almost never open land tenders for landed housings in district 2. It’s exactly for this reason that makes residential conservation houses in district 2 very valuable, as they are the only available landed houses in the business districts of 1 and 2.
Areas where one can find residential conservation houses in district 2 are Neil Road, Everton Road, Blair Road, Mosque Street, Club Street, Spottiswoode Park Road,
These conserved shophouses can range from 2 to 3 storeys usually. They usually sit on not too big land area of about 1,500 to 2,000 sqft. They may also have a small front porch, back yard, roof top terrace or air well.
Most units don’t allow car parking and residents are expected to park on public parking space along the road
Some of these conserved shophouses are rented as a whole unit, while others are subdivided into a few apartments within one single unit.
Although district 2 is considered mainly a business district, it’s not completely so when you consider that district 2 includes Chinatown, Tanjong Pagar and Spottiswoode. These places mentioned host a number of HDB flats and a number of conservation shophouses zoned for residential usage.
Similar to district 1, district 2 doesn’t have modern landed properties built on them. All or almost all the landed properties on district 2 are under conservation. The government has almost never open land tenders for landed housings in district 2. It’s exactly for this reason that makes residential conservation houses in district 2 very valuable, as they are the only available landed houses in the business districts of 1 and 2.
Areas where one can find residential conservation houses in district 2 are Neil Road, Everton Road, Blair Road, Mosque Street, Club Street, Spottiswoode Park Road,
These conserved shophouses can range from 2 to 3 storeys usually. They usually sit on not too big land area of about 1,500 to 2,000 sqft. They may also have a small front porch, back yard, roof top terrace or air well.
Most units don’t allow car parking and residents are expected to park on public parking space along the road
Some of these conserved shophouses are rented as a whole unit, while others are subdivided into a few apartments within one single unit.
Article 29 - Landed house for rent in district 3
Extremely limited choices of landed house for rent in district 3. Zero conservation shophouses as well. There are on many HDB flats and condos here. The very few areas where one can rent residential landed house are Jervois Lane and Shepherds Drive
Extremely limited choices of landed house for rent in district 3. Zero conservation shophouses as well. There are on many HDB flats and condos here. The very few areas where one can rent residential landed house are Jervois Lane and Shepherds Drive