Why you should stay in a Serviced Apartment and not lease a private apartment in Singapore

Expats moving to Singapore for a long employment term are spoilt for choices in housing options. There are many high quality private housing and serviced apartments options in Singapore! Corporate serviced apartments in Singapore may be new to many, as they are not available in many cities around the world. So what are the considerations one should consider in deciding the option?

1. Savings

There are no agent commissions involved in staying with serviced apartments, unlike private leases. This means that should you decide to shorten your lease in a serviced apartment in Singapore, you do not have to compensate your landlord for the commission he had paid to his agent. In addition, there is no contract fulfilment of stay needed in a serviced apartment (see Point 2 below). 

In addition, many serviced apartments in Singapore for short term stay do not require any security deposit. It is a breeze to check in and check out, no tangling with landlords on deductions for damages, no high tension arguing with agents. Why waste time filing claims against landlords to claw back your security deposit at the end of your stay? You should focus on enjoying Singapore. 

2. Flexibility

While an expat may have a long-term employment contract with a large company in Singapore, nothing is fool-proof in this fast-changing world. While employers have the right to terminate the employment with a compensation sum, expat tenants must know that a long-term lease in private housing is binding. Do you really want to be locked in a 24 months’ lease? Serviced residences in Singapore, on the other hand, has a commitment period of only 3 months, and you can extend month by month. You have the flexibility to upgrade to a bigger apartment or smaller apartment any time, perfect when your family moves over to join you. If you need to shorten your stay, you can just provide a 1 month’s written notice to terminate, no reason needed. Be liberated  with flexible leases. 1 and 2 bedroom serviced apartments in Singapore are the perennial favourites.

3. High-quality furniture

Unlike the much higher leasing expectations in western countries, most Singapore’s landlords do not believe in providing fully-furnished apartments. Most private lease apartments come simply with basic curtains, fridge, washing machine and dryer, but that’s about it. If you are lucky, you may get simple furniture from the landlord or those left behind by the previous tenant. Do you really want to sleep on a cheap mattress to get ready for corporate war day after day? Is there justice? Amenities such as crockery, cutlery, towels and bed linen have to be self-provided and washed. Many tenants resort to buying these in Ikea. What sad life for an expatriate.

Singapore serviced apartments for long term stay (min. 3 months) provide end-to-end high quality furniture and amenities. High quality mattress such as Sealy and Simmons are used, leaving you fresh from deep slumber day after day. Just move in with your luggage! Everything is provided, from fire-proof laptop safe, hangers to full kitchen amenities. Even a wide range of TV programmes are provided – news channels from around the world and Netflix! During housekeeping, fresh bed linen and towels are changed, dishwashing is done and your apartment is ‘reset’ to check in splendour! Forget about sending your cumbersome bed linen to the laundry and save precious time and money for something useful. Need more plates, ice box for barbeque or tennis rackets for a game? Just ask for them, at no cost.

4. All inclusive services

Unless you are staying in budget serviced apartments in Singapore, most reputable serviced apartments’ provide guest services,  housekeeping, utilities, maintenance and a wide range of facilities that are all inclusive in the rates. Bedlinen and towels provided are of high quality. In addition, maintenance work is carried out promptly as these serviced apartment providers have their own maintenance team. On the other hand, in a private lease, you will have to call the agent, who will then call the owner. The owner may decide that the repair is not needed. If you are lucky and he approves the repair, you will have to foot the first $150 to $250 of the repair cost. Worse, you will have to wait a few days to weeks for a repairman to come by to look at the problem. If he has to get some spare materials for the repair, you will have to wait for a few more days. Time is money. You are better off staying in a serviced apartment and bask in the hospitality.

Come stay with Aurealis Serviced Residence, a centrally-located serviced residence in Marina Bay. We have earned a strong reputation for our service quality. The Residence is directly accessible through sheltered air-conditioned walkways to Marina Bay Financial Centre, One Raffles Quay and many buildings in Raffles Place. The walkways also lead to Marina Bay Link Mall, Downtown MRT and Raffles Place MRT train stations. Aurealis Serviced Residence fronts the Marina Bay, a beautiful large bay perfect for daily walks and jogs. You can also rent a bicycle here and ride all the way to the East Coast Park. The Residence is within a 5 minutes’ walk to a 24/7 food centre brimming with local and international food fare. It is a 5-star serviced apartment worthy of you. 

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