Tertiary Students' 3 Most Common Questions on Rental

WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE FOR RENTING A ROOM / APARTMENT?
Once you have identified a suitable rental offer, contact the house owner for viewing. If you are keen to rent the place, make sure that all verbal agreements with the house owner are confirmed in writing in a lease / tenancy agreement. Do not sign the lease agreement until you have read and understood the terms stated in the agreement.

Usually a deposit equivalent to one month's rental is payable. This deposit is not refundable should you subsequently reject the room. This deposit is refundable at the end of the tenancy provided the room / apartment, fixtures and fittings are returned to the owner in good condition, allowing for fair wear and tear. First month's rental is usually required. Hence, you may need to make an upfront payment equivalent to 2 months rental in the first instance. Make sure that all payments made are supported by receipts.

DO I HAVE TO PAY ANY COMMISSION TO THE HOUSE OWNER OR HOUSING AGENT FOR APARTMENT OR ROOM RENTAL?
Householders or housing agents who advertise their rental offers on our off-campus accommodation website are not permitted to charge our students any commission. This service is offered free of charge by OSA to facilitate students in their search for accommodation on the private rental market. Students should report to OSA any breach by house owners / housing agents in this regard.

For rentals secured through other sources, commission is payable. Please refer to the Institute of Estate Agents website at http://www.iea.org.sg for IEA's recommended commission guidelines on lease of Housing and Development Board (HDB) rooms / flats, private apartments.

The issue of commission should be sorted out before entering into a lease agreement. If it is agreeable to both the house owner and tenant, it becomes binding once it is stated in the lease agreement.

WILL HOUSE OWNERS LEASE THEIR APARTMENT / ROOM FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF STAY?
It is more difficult to obtain short term leases. Usually lease agreements are for duration of at least 6 months. Most house owners would prefer a lease of 1 or 2 years.

Source: http://www.nus.edu.sg/osa/housing/faq/offrent.html#