For Foreign Students: How to Start Renting a Home in Singapore

Maelyn Lagman

On top of being considered an advanced technological hub in the East, a premier tourist’s paradise, and a strong economic juggernaut, Singapore is also known for being an amazing destination for students who want to study abroad.

The country’s natural mix of varied cultures in addition to its inherent high quality of education makes it a great place for experiences of all kinds, be it educational in nature or otherwise.

First things first though. If you’re one of the many students-to-be in Singapore, then you’ll need a decently priced yet well-maintained place to stay.

1. Keep your money in check

As a student, you’re bound to have a fairly limited budget. Of course, you won’t spend all that on your rent alone as you still have utilities, everyday expenses and savings to pay for.

The rate isn’t the only thing to look out for either; read your contract carefully and keep in mind that contracts set the minimum renting time for HDB units at 6 months. Luckily, this can be extended to up to a year or more.

2. Choose an optimal place to live

Keep in mind that you’ll travel back and forth between your home and University at least 5 days a week. That ought to be tiring if you live a considerable distance away, so you’ll want to get a unit that’s as close as possible.

If that’s not an option, then consider familiarizing yourself with Singapore’s easy-to-use, well-maintained transport system instead. Live near an access point and take advantage of all the LRT and MRT stops that are available across the country’s many districts.

Buses and taxi services add to the modes of public transportation, making it easy to get around quickly without having to spend too much.


Read more about renting a home in Singapore as a foreigner:


3. Figure out your space requirements

You’d be surprised at the range of HDB flat sizes. It can go from pretty much living in a closet to having enough room for a small family. Rent an HDB flat that matches the space you need and use your extra money to travel around the country.

On the other hand, getting a roommate to split the costs with is also another viable option. A little companionship never hurts.

4. Get a roommate if you can

With all the time you spend together, your housemates may very well end up as the highlight of your stay in the country. Better yet, they may even turn into lifelong friends.

Those with previous contacts should take advantage of that opportunity. If you already know someone who’s established in Singapore, don’t hesitate to ring them up and ask to settle in with them.

Just be sure to offer something in return for additional payment or help around the home!

Students who are bound to stay in Singapore are sure to have a good time, as long as the basics such as housing and finances are settled. We can help you start searching for a home to rent in Singapore.

On our free mobile app, you can post a ‘ShoutOut’ to publicly share the exact type of home you’re looking for. This can be seen by landlords, who will suggest their listing directly to you if your preferred home matches their listing. Let’s say you’re looking for a 1-room HDB flat in Clementi, because you’ll be attending SIM Global Education to get your Bachelor’s Degree. If landlords see this ShoutOut on the app, they can click ‘Suggest Listing’ and start up a conversation with you immediately. No upfront costs whatsoever for you or for the landlord.

Save time and money by renting a home with Ohmyhome!

Let out smart data-matching technology MATCH you with the right home, according to your specific needs. Submit your preferences to us and our algorithm will filter all our available listings based on those, and we’ll WhatsApp them to you once we find a match. We’ll also send you relevant content that you can use for your research and inform your home buying decision, so you no longer have to spend hours searching online for the information that you need. Because at Ohmyhome, we’re always by your side, always on your side.

You can message us in the chatbox at the bottom, right-hand corner of the screen to secure an appointment with any of our Super Agents.. You can also WhatsApp us at 9755 9283!

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