02 / HOME IS AN EVERYDAY THING
Think about a Tuesday.
Not just moving day.
It’s easy to fall for a lovely living room.
We like to start a little closer to everyday life:
- How long do you want your commute to be?
- Will you work from home?
- Do you cook most evenings or need a quiet space of your own?
A few clear must-haves make the shortlist much easier.
A LITTLE ABOUT YOU
What would make home feel right?
Tap the things that matter to you. We’ll help turn them into a useful shortlist.
Everyday life is a good place to start. Pick a few priorities above.
Let’s talk about your home Your choices stay on this page. Nothing is sent until you choose to message us.Which one fits your everyday life?
A condominium
Would you use the pool, gym or shared spaces? Think about which facilities would add something to your week.
An apartment
How does the space work for you? Look at the layout, the surroundings and the journey to your everyday places.
A landed home
Would more space make life easier? Weigh that up alongside upkeep, access and the responsibilities in your lease.
Bring us your priorities. We’ll help compare suitable private homes.
03 / MAKE ROOM TO LIVE
Your budget should feel comfortable.
Not stretched.
The monthly rent is only part of the picture. Before moving in, set aside your security deposit, advance rent, stamp duty, any agreed tenant agency fee and moving or setup costs. Give yourself a little breathing room for utilities, internet, transport and upkeep too.
Try the planner below to see what the first payment could look like.
YOUR UPFRONT COST PLANNER
Start with a comfortable number.
12 months: usually one month’s security deposit + one month’s advance rent.
24 months: usually two months’ security deposit + one month’s advance rent.
Some landlords ask for two months’ deposit on a 12-month lease. Put the agreed amount in writing to avoid disputes, then adjust the planner to match.
For a fixed-rent lease of up to four years, stamp duty is 0.4% of total rent, rounded down to a whole dollar (minimum S$1); annual rent of S$1,000 or less is exempt. Other lease arrangements need a separate calculation. Your entries stay in your browser.
Not sure which costs to include?
Talk it through with us before narrowing your search.
04 / FROM “LOOKS NICE” TO “FEELS RIGHT”
Give the home
a real-life test.
At a viewing, take a moment to imagine coming home on an ordinary day. Listen to the noise, notice the light and think about where your things would go. Then ask what comes with the rental and what you’d need to arrange yourself.
“Will this work for me?”
Try the journey you’ll make most often. Ask about cooking, guests, pets or working from home if they matter to you. A lovely space still needs to suit your routine.
“What am I agreeing to?”
Check the rent, deposit, repairs and what happens if your plans change. Make sure any promised furniture or fixes are written into the agreement.
- 1Picture your dayDoes the home fit your routine?
- 2Ask what mattersClarify the costs and conditions.
- 3Write it downKeep requests and promises clear.
Sort your notes into:
- Must fix
- Must provide
- Happy to accept
Turn the first two into written requests.
05 / FIND A HOME WITH ESTATE BASICS
A search feels easier
when you can talk it through.
Maybe every listing looks promising.
Maybe none feels quite right.
We’re Angie and Amethyst and we start by listening: who’s moving, what matters, and what would make this move feel good for you.
Turn your wish list into a useful brief.
We’ll work through your budget, move-in date and must-haves, so the search has a clear direction.
Compare homes with your life in mind.
We’ll help you shortlist suitable options and weigh the trade-offs, rather than leave you with another pile of links.
Ask the questions that affect your decision.
We’ll help clarify the listing, raise your requests and talk through the practical terms before you commit.
Help you move in and feel settled.
Securing your home is just the beginning. We’ll help coordinate utilities, internet and move-in arrangements so the pieces come together. Throughout your lease, you can come to us with concerns about the home. We’ll help you work through them and coordinate with the landlord or relevant service provider.
Make the handback feel manageable.
When it’s time to move on, we’ll help you prepare for the inspection and coordinate a smooth handback. We’ll work through any proposed deductions with you and follow up on your security deposit, aiming to recover the amount due to you under your agreement.
Before you engage us, we’ll agree who we represent, the support included and any fees.
You should feel clear about that too.
06 / A LITTLE CARE GOES A LONG WAY
Keep future-you
in mind.
When you get the keys, keep photos of the home’s condition and a copy of what was handed over. While you’re living there, save important messages and receipts in one folder. Before moving out, revisit your agreement and confirm the handback arrangements and deposit refund timing. We’ll help you prepare for handback, discuss any proposed deductions and follow up with the landlord to get back the security deposit due to you.
It doesn’t need to become a big project. A few clear records make later conversations much easier.
For the step-by-step details, keep our free Rental 360 guidebook handy.
07 / YOU MAY BE WONDERING
A few questions
before we begin.
Can you help me find a rental home in Singapore?
Yes. Angie Yap and Amethyst Teo at Estate Basics can help you shape your search, compare suitable homes and clarify the next steps. Send either of us your budget, move-in date, who’s moving and any preferred areas. It’s fine if some of that is still undecided.
I’m moving to Singapore. Where should I start?
Start with where you’ll spend most weekdays and when you need to move. Add who’s coming with you, your comfortable budget and any must-haves. We can help you make sense of the neighbourhood and housing choices, including the eligibility checks relevant to your situation.
How much rental deposit should I prepare?
A 12-month lease commonly means one month’s security deposit and one month’s advance rent. A 24-month lease commonly means two months’ deposit and one month’s advance rent. Some landlords request a larger deposit. Confirm it in writing and try the upfront cost planner with the amount you’ve agreed.
Do I need an agent to rent a home?
You can search independently. Working with an agent can help when you’d like someone to narrow the options, ask questions and guide the process. Ask who they represent, what they’ll do and how their fees work before engaging them.
Who is behind Estate Basics?
Estate Basics is by Angie Yap and Amethyst Teo. Our approach is simple: listen to what matters to you, make the choices clearer and let you decide. Meet us below.
What if I’m not sure which area suits me?
Tell us where you work or study, the journeys you make often and what you enjoy nearby. We’ll help you compare neighbourhoods around your routine and budget, so you have a useful place to start.
What should I send you before we start looking?
A comfortable monthly budget, your preferred move-in date, who will live with you and two or three must-haves are enough to begin. If you have a shortlist, send that too. We can work out the rest together.
Can you help with utilities, internet and moving in?
Yes. As part of the support we agree with you, we’ll help coordinate the setup and move-in arrangements, including access or moving-slot requirements. Tell us your intended dates early so we can plan around them.
Can I contact you if something goes wrong during my lease?
Yes. Tell us what happened and share a photo or short video if useful. We’ll help clarify the next step and coordinate with the landlord or relevant service provider. Repair responsibilities and costs depend on your agreement and the issue.
Will you help when it’s time to hand back the home?
We’ll help you plan the handback, check what needs to be prepared and coordinate the inspection. If a deposit deduction is raised, we’ll help you discuss the details and follow up on the refund due under your agreement.
Can I rent with a pet or work from home?
Tell us at the start if these are important to you. We’ll help ask the right questions about the home and any applicable rules, and make sure agreed permissions are clear before you commit.
Is the Rental 360 guidebook free?
Yes. Enter your email in the guidebook form to request a copy. It covers the practical details of private residential renting in Singapore, so you can refer to it as your rental progresses.
