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Expat Relocation - Rules & Regulations
Find useful information on your relocation to Singapore
below:
Working
in Singapore
Drug trafficking laws:
The death penalty applies to those convicted of trafficking, manufacturing,
importing or exporting more than 15g of heroin, 30g of morphine, 30g of
cocaine, 500g of cannabis, 200g of cannabis resin and 1.2kg of opium.
Unauthorised consumption may result in a maximum of 10 years in prison
or a fine of S$20,000 or both.
Littering:
Carries a fine of up to S$1,000 for first offenders and a higher fine
for repeat offenders. Chewing gum is forbidden in Singapore as part of
efforts to clamp down on the indiscriminate disposal of chewing gum.
Tipping:
Prohibited at the airport. In places where there is already a 10% service
charge (hotels, restaurants), you are not encouraged to tip.
Smoking:
Banned in public places such as lifts, theatres, government offices,
air-conditioned restaurants, shopping centres as well as public transportation.
Parking:
Parking fines are very high. Vehicles parked in public car parks should
display valid coupons.
Visas:
For travellers from the Commonwealth, the US and Australia, there are
no visa requirements for social visits under 30 days. Travellers must
have valid passports, onward/return tickets and facilities to the next
destination and sufficient funds for their stay in Singapore.
Visa regulations differ for other nationalities. For extension of stay,
contact: Singapore Immigration & Registration SIR Building 10, Kallang
Road, Singapore 208718 Telephone: (65) 391-6100 Fax: (65) 298-0843 / 298-0837
Location: Beside the Lavender MRT Station (E2). Opening Hours: Weekdays
- 8a.m. to 5p.m. Saturdays - 8.00a.m. to 1p.m.
Lease Guide
- Lease Agreement
Prior to the commencement of the lease, a formal Lease
Agreement or Tenancy Agreement (TA) will be prepared detailing the terms
of the lease. Any legal fee incurred for the drawing up of the TA is
usually borne by the tenant. However, if the landlord's TA is acceptable,
there will usually not be any legal fees involved. Stamp duty on the
TA is a statutory requirement and is usually borne by the tenant.
- Length or Term of Lease
In Singapore, the standard lease period is 2 or 3 years,
with or without an option to renew the lease. The lease renewal is usually
for another 1 to 2 years. For the lease renewal option, the landlord
would normally require that you give 2 or 3 months' advance notice of
your intention to renew. Depending on the lease terms, the rental rate
would be reviewed at either prevailing market rates or according to
any pre-agreement between the landlord and tenant. Most landlords will
not accept leases that are less than 1 year. If you wish to lease premises
for shorter stays, service apartments offer a good alternative.
- Diplomatic or "Escape" Clause
It is normal in the tenant's interest to include such
a clause. This allows the tenant to terminate the lease prematurely
for good reasons; eg: if your employment in Singapore ceases or if you
are transferred out of Singapore. However, this clause normally becomes
applicable only after you have rented the premises for at least half
the lease term, plus giving 2 or 3 months' notice in advance for the
termination. Therefore, if yours is a 2-year term, your right to exercise
will be after 12 months' occupation period.
Pets Importation
Do you have a pet as part of your family?
If you plan to bring your pet or pets with you to Singapore you must:
• Get an Import License from the City Veterinary Centre (CVC) 2
weeks before the date of import
• Receive a health certificate certifying that your pet was examined
within a week of export and is in good health
• Quarantine your pet for at least 30 days upon arrival. Exemptions
are made if your pet is from the UK, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand
Application forms and instructions can be obtained from the City Veterinary
Centre, Primary Production Department.
For more information, you can call the City Veterinary Centre at Tel:
(65) 227 0670 Fax: (65) 227 630
Security Deposit
In Singapore, a security deposit is necessary. It is a standard practice
for the landlord to require a security deposit upon the signing of the
Tenancy Agreement. When the lease term ends, this is refunded without
interest. However, the landlord reserves the right to deduct from the
deposit all costs and expenses arising from the tenant breaching any of
the covenants in the contract. The amount of security deposit varies from
2 to 3 months' gross rental. Please also take note that the first month
rental is also payable upon the signing of the Tenancy Agreement.
Rental Payment
Rent is payable monthly in advance at the beginning of each month or
on the date of the lease commencement. For tax purposes, it is normal
for the landlord to specifically divide the rental into 3 separate amounts
in the rental contract:
- Base Rent - This is normally calculated
at 60% of the gross monthly rental
- Maintenance Fee - This is an amount stipulated
by the management corporation.
- Furniture & Fittings - This is normally
40% of the gross monthly rental minus the maintenance fee.
The total of the 3 sums is referred to as the Gross Rent, which is what
the tenant pays each month.
- Maintenance Fees/Service
Charges For all residential properties with shared compounds and facilities,
such as condominiums and apartments, services charges and maintenance
charges are payable. This is usually paid by the landlord and accounted
for in the gross rent. This forms one part of the gross rental.
- Insurance
Home fire insurance and other insurance relating to the premises are
the responsibility of the landlord. However, your personal effect insurance
must be enforced to protect yourself from fire, theft, break-ins, damages,
etc.
- Repairs & Maintenance
In any leases, the tenant is usually responsible for maintaining the
leased premises in good order and where necessary, carry out minor repairs
at their own costs. Only major repairs and maintenance would be at the
landlord's responsibility but even then, only if the tenant is not in
breach of any conditions in the TA. The tenant is usually responsible
to take up service contracts for items such as regular air-conditioning
servicing, gardening and pool servicing if tenant is living in a house.
Partially Furnished
Properties are mostly leased wither fully furnished or partially furnished.
It is always advisable to confirm the inventory list with your landlord
or landlord's real estate agent beforehand so that you will know what
are provided. What is partial furnished basis? This is the most common
basis whereby most premises are rented out.
The following items are usually included with the property based on a
partial furnished basis:
• Light fittings
• Curtains
• Air-conditioning
• Hot-water heaters
• Washing machine / dryer
• Refrigerator
• Cooker / cooker-hood
• Electric Oven
• Kitchen cabinets
• Built-in wardrobes
• Microwave oven but sometimes the tenant may have to request
for one.
• Dishwasher if any. If not, tenant may request for one.
Fully Furnished
Properties are mostly leased wither fully furnished or partially furnished.
It is always advisable to confirm the inventory list with the landlord
or landlord's real estate agent beforehand so that you will know what
are provided. In the event of a fully furnished basis situation in addition
to the items listed in a partially furnished basis, basic loose furniture
will also be provided. These items can include living room sofa set, coffee
table, side tables, dining set, queen size or king size bed for the master
bedroom and single or double beds for the rest of the bedrooms. However,
you will normally have to purchase your own crockery, cutlery, linen and
some electrical appliances as these items would only be provided in a
service apartment standard. But at times, a TV or some other electronic
items can be requested if your housing budget permits.
Public Utilities,Telephone & Cable Television
Prior to moving in, the tenant has to apply to Power Supply Limited for
water, electricity and gas supply if necessary. Piped gas is also available
from Power Supply Limited in selected areas and developments. The tenant
also has to apply Singapore Telecom for the telephone line. The installation
charges and the monthly bills for such services are the tenant's responsibility.
The tenant can apply to Singapore Cable Vision (SCV) for cable TV services.
SCV is the sole provider for cable TV in Singapore. Installation charges
are usually paid for by the Landlord while the subscription fees are the
tenant's responsibility.
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