Housing terminology

17POSTS

8 years ago

Dear friends and kind strangers,

I will be moving to Singapore in a couple of months, and have started my research for living spaces. I'm looking for an apartment near Orchard. The guides online are quite exhaustive, and I have managed to get a reasonable idea of what to expect. However, I'm struggling with basic terminology. In India, we use the term "BHK", to mean, "bedroom-hall-kitchen". For example, "2BHK" would mean two bedrooms, one living room and one kitchen. Of course, in this system there is no way to tell how many bathrooms and dining etc. rooms are present. Anyway. I digress. I'm looking for a place with a living room, a bedroom, a kitchen and a bathroom. How is this conveyed in local terminology in Singapore? On propertyguru, I keep seeing the term "1 bed 1 bath". Would you please explain to me? Thanks!

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surya2k VIP Member

2892POSTS

8 years ago

Here, we call it 2+1 unit (similar 2 BHK). It distinguishes by private units (known as condo) and govt apartments called HDB. Few areas, particularly at Marine Parade area HDB 2+1 units have one bathroom, where as most of places you will get two (one is attached with master bedroom). Every where condos (2+1) have two bath rooms. Similarly, 3+1, 4+1 units are available (in HDB n condo). Very rare 1+1 units are available, which are very old.

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subrasanmuga Member

17POSTS

8 years ago

Thanks, Surya2k

subrasanmuga Member

17POSTS

8 years ago

Here are two more terms that I keep seeing, 'TOP' and 'rare'. What do they mean?

beppi Germany/Singapore Expert

15653POSTS

8 years ago

TOP stand for "Temporary Occupation Permit", which is given to a new building just after completion.
Rare means there are not many of that kind on the market (or at least the owner/agent claims - it's usually just marketing slang and can be ignored).

subrasanmuga Member

17POSTS

8 years ago

Thanks, Beppi. Think should stop looking at these websites and just hire an agent.

beppi Germany/Singapore Expert

15653POSTS

8 years ago

Agents cost quite a lot - and many of them do nothing but match the exact same websites' listings with what you said you want. In addition, many of them are either dishonest or put their own interest (for a high fee) over yours.
Look carefully and engage only an agent that comes with personal recommendations from somebody you know and trust (recommendations on the Web are usually fake). And negotiate the fee beforehand - try to get a flat fee that doesn't depend on the achieved rent!