When you sign a tenancy, ambiguity about monthly costs creates the majority of disputes. Below are four precise packages you can insist on seeing in writing.

Treat each package as a definitive service level with the listed inclusions. If a landlord or agent cannot confirm the package elements and amounts in a written addendum to the tenancy, do not proceed.

• Essential HDB single room package
  Monthly rent 900 Singapore dollars. Water is included and paid by the landlord. Electricity account must be opened in the tenant name and billed directly. Internet is not included; tenant arranges and pays. Deposit one month rent. Notice period 30 days.
• HDB master room package with capped utilities
  Monthly rent 1,200 Singapore dollars. Water included, electricity contribution capped at 50 Singapore dollars per month. Any excess on the electricity bill is shared equally among occupants and must be settled within seven days of issuing the invoice. Internet provided by landlord if tenancy is longer than 90 days; otherwise tenant arranges. Deposit two weeks rent payable on booking.
• Private condo room package with facilities access
  Monthly rent 1,600 Singapore dollars. Building management fees and water covered by landlord. Electricity is read via submeter and charged to tenant monthly. Internet is included up to a specified bandwidth; extra charges for premium packages billed to tenant. Deposit equal to one month rent and refundable within seven days after check out subject to an itemised damage report. Minimum stay three months unless otherwise stated.
• Serviced co living package fixed rate
  Monthly rent 2,200 Singapore dollars. This rate is all inclusive: utilities, high speed internet, weekly cleaning and linen service, plus full access to communal facilities. Serviced stays are sold on fixed terms: one month minimum and refund policies are non negotiable. Deposit equivalent to one month rent held for incidentals and refundable after inventory check.

When comparing offers, ask the landlord for a one page breakdown that lists rent, inclusions, deposit amount, payment method and exact notice period. That single document prevents misunderstandings and becomes the first clause in the tenancy agreement.

Documents deposits and contract clauses you must require

Documents to exchange before any payment

Do not pay any deposit until both sides have exchanged the essential documents. As tenant, provide a government issued photo identity, a current employer letter or student enrolment letter and either a recent payslip or three months bank statement. If you are a foreign national present your valid work or student pass.

Ask the landlord to produce proof of ownership. Acceptable proof is a current property tax statement, HDB approval to rent rooms, or a scanned title deed. If an agent is involved request the agent licence number and a signed mandate from the owner authorising the agent to let the room.

Non negotiable contract clauses to include verbatim

The tenancy agreement must contain certain clauses written exactly as follows. Insert these lines or request an addendum that contains them.

Security deposit clause. For tenancies of six months or longer, security deposit equals two months rent. For tenancies shorter than six months, security deposit equals one month rent. State the bank account where the deposit is held, the currency, and the exact timeframe for refund after the tenant vacates, which shall be no more than fourteen days after the final inspection. Any deductions must be itemised and supported by receipts.

Payment clause. Rent is payable on the first day of each month by bank transfer or PayNow to the account listed in the agreement. A late charge of five percent of the monthly rent applies if payment is not received within three calendar days past due. Repeated late payments give the landlord the right to terminate the tenancy after two written warnings.

Maintenance clause. Landlord is responsible for structural repairs and major appliance failures. Tenant is responsible for damage caused by negligence. All maintenance requests must be submitted in writing and receive acknowledgement within seventy two hours. For urgent safety issues the landlord must arrange repairs within twenty four hours.

Daily living rules and a simple system to avoid conflict

Clear, practical rules make communal living predictable. Below are five rules widely proven to reduce friction. I explain each rule and give implementation steps so you and your housemates can adopt them in a single evening meeting.

• Cleaning roster and standards
  Agree a two week rotating roster with daily and weekly tasks. Daily tasks are wiping kitchen surfaces and washing dishes after use. Weekly tasks include vacuuming, mopping and scrubbing the bathroom. Post the roster on the fridge and rotate responsibility every two weeks. If someone misses a turn they must swap with a housemate and notify the group chat within twenty four hours.
• Guest policy and notification
  Allow guests for up to two consecutive nights with prior notice of twenty four hours. For longer stays obtain consent from all housemates. Hosts are responsible for guest behaviour and must ensure guests follow house rules. For any overnight guest the host will inform housemates and take responsibility for any additional utility or cleaning costs incurred.
• Quiet hours and noise management
  Establish quiet hours from ten pm to seven am on weekdays and eleven pm to eight am on weekends. For exceptions discuss them in advance. Use headphones for late night audio and move louder activities to common areas early in the evening. Simple acoustic measures like rugs and soft furnishings reduce sound transfer and preserve good neighbour relations.
• Shared supplies and food labelling
  Create a shared supplies fund for communal items such as detergent and toilet paper. A small pooled amount of twenty to thirty Singapore dollars per person per month covers basics. Personal food items should be labelled with the owner name and date. Shared staples can be used by all but replacements must be agreed upon and receipts kept in a shared folder.
• Bill tracking and reimbursement method
  Agree a single collector who pays shared bills then is reimbursed within five days. Use digital transfers to create a record and keep a simple spreadsheet with dates and amounts accessible to all housemates. For electricity surges or unusual bills discuss adjustments before payment to avoid disputes.

Adopt these rules at the start of the tenancy and review them monthly. Routine communication maintains harmony and reduces the likelihood of escalation later.

To review current listings and compare packages directly visit rent private room Singapore for a curated set of available choices.