Singapore Real Estate
HDB flats in Singapore are available for rent either directly from the Housing and Development Board (HDB), or from the open market. Those who choose to rent through the HDB will have to face several eligibility conditions, and this option is only open to Singapore citizens.
Selected areas of HDB flats in Singapore
For those looking for a relaxed atmosphere, the East Coast is the place to be, with the fabulous East Coast Park providing great beaches and is a great place for anyone looking to get away from the day-to-day hassle of the city. Try the Marine Parade area for proximity to the park.
If business is your number one priority, Orchard, River Valley, Newton and Outram Park all have thriving business districts close by, but few high quality HDB flats in this area available, instead, you will easily find high quality condominium around here. Of course, the price will be much higher than HDB flats.
Holland Village is a favorite amongst the youthful and the expatriate community, with many restaurants and bars close by to provide fun and entertainment.
Keep in mind
Check for proximity to the MRT, Singapore’s train system and most popular means of public transportation. Although not really necessary, if you do happen to have a vehicle of your own, keep in mind that most of the HDB buildings have parking facilities but you need to buy the parking ticket seasonally.Many of the HDB flats in Singapore are old and there are corridors connect each unit. The privacy will be a critical concern when considering renting such flats. However, corner unit is always better choice but you need pay more for it.Another issue with these older flats is the air-conditioning. With tropical weather air-conditioning units can be the difference between pleasant or unbearable living conditions within the flat, so it’s important you make sure the air-conditioning runs smoothly.
One important aspect is the elevators of the building. Although many buildings have already received elevator upgrades through the Lift Upgrading Program (LUP), the program has yet to reach all HDB flats in Singapore. It’s a good idea to see if the elevators reach all floors and are serviced regularly. You don’t want to end up having to walk up and down several stories on a daily basis, something that can be even more troublesome for the elderly and families with children.
A final word on HDB flats in Singapore
As in all housing searches, do your homework first. Feel free to be picky about things that bother you, because after all, you are the one who is going to be living in the flat. Although the HDB rental market is limited, local newspapers have rental advertisements that can be very helpful, and there are rental flat websites that can help as well. Good luck!
Singapore’s immigration policies make it very easy for businesses to draw on resources from outside of the city to accomplish their move to the region. Besides the standard Work Visa that is easily available, Singapore’s liberal immigration policies make procuring a Permanent Visa quite easy as well.
Singapore offers low corporate and personal tax rates, ensuring that your business will thrive there. Businesses which make profits below the SGD 300,000 mark are taxed at 9%, while all businesses that make above SGD 300,000 are taxed at a maximum of 18%. As added benefits, the Singapore tax system does not include any corporate gains tax and functions on a single tier system. This means that once businesses are taxed, they are free to dispose of the dividends to their shareholders, tax free. Singapore is also home to one of the lowest Goods and Services taxes in the world. GST in Singapore is capped at 7% as opposed to the 16.4% average GST being charged all over the world.
Singapore has one of the most transparent and efficient legal systems in the world. This ensures that all disputes are settled and all legalities taken care of as fast and as well as possible, with minimum expenditure. Regulations as to minimum wages and working hours are well defined to cause minimal confusion. Ensure that you comply with all of these policies when you move your business to Singapore.
Hiring local employees would require your business to register with the Central Provident Fund (CPF) and contribute to it. If you plan on bringing in foreign employees, you will need to obtain a Work Pass from Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower.
Based on what type of business you start in Singapore, relevant licences and permits will need to be obtained.
When moving to Singapore it is also necessary to respect the region’s business culture and traditions, in your interactions with the people there. There are traditional ways of greeting Singaporean entrepreneurs of Chinese, Malay and Indian origin, but the handshake is acceptable as a form of greeting with all businessmen. Also keep in mind that the Singaporeans are extremely cautious businesspeople and never make hasty business decisions and believe in building long lasting relationships with their partners in business. Losing your temper or replying in the negative rather than promising to consider suggestions that are on the table are some of the ways to ruin business ties in Singapore. Maintaining a calm demeanour and keeping your tone gentle on the other hand, will help your business succeed.