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Expat Rental AdvisoryKeith Tan Boon Kee helps expats and relocating families rent condominiums in Singapore, from shortlist and viewings to tenancy terms and move-in. ERA Division Director, in the market since 2000. CEA R003793E. English and Mandarin.
How renting works here
Singapore's rental process moves fast and uses a few terms you may not have met before. Here is the order it usually runs in.
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Where to live
Districts 9 and 10. Central, close to Orchard Road, the Botanic Gardens, and the embassy belt. A short ride to the business district.
CentralDistrict 15. Katong, Marine Parade, and Meyer Road, near the beach and East Coast Park, with the Thomson-East Coast Line into town. Popular with families.
BeachsideTanjong Pagar, Queenstown, and one-north. Close to the business district and the one-north research hub, with newer buildings and brand-new units.
Near workMore on these areas in the District 9, 10, and 15 guide and the free Singapore relocation guide.
Brand-new units
Keith handles owner handovers at newly completed condominiums, so he often knows which brand-new units are coming up for rent before they reach the portals. He tracks live rental availability across these projects.
Settling in
Move-in date, budget, bedrooms, and where you need to be each morning. That is enough for Keith to start.
Common questions
Keith Tan Boon Kee is an ERA Division Director who helps expats and relocating families rent condominiums in Singapore. He covers the rental search, neighbourhood guidance, tenancy negotiation, and settling in, and advises in English and Mandarin. His registration, CEA R003793E, can be checked on the CEA Public Register.
The usual practice is a good faith deposit of one month's rent with your Letter of Intent, and a security deposit of about one month's rent for each year of the lease. These are market conventions, not fixed rules, and the exact terms are set out in your tenancy agreement.
A diplomatic clause lets a tenant end the lease early if they are transferred out of Singapore or their employment ends. It is common in two-year leases and is usually available after the first 12 months, with two months' notice. The wording is negotiated, so read it before you sign.
Private residential homes must be rented for at least three consecutive months under URA rules. Most landlords prefer a one-year or two-year lease.
The tenant usually pays stamp duty on the lease, and it should be paid shortly after signing. The amount depends on your rent and lease length. Work it out with the rental stamp duty calculator.
Yes. You can shortlist and view by video before you land, then sign once your pass is approved. Landlords need to check your passport and your work pass or in-principle approval before the tenancy starts.
WhatsApp Keith on +65 97501055 with your move-in date, monthly budget, number of bedrooms, and where you will be working or where the children will go to school. You can also book a consultation slot online. Book a consultation.
General information only. All figures are estimates only, not guaranteed, and may change. Stamp duty rates and leasing rules are set by the relevant authorities and are subject to change, so check the current position with IRAS or URA before you commit.