What do people miss most during a rental viewing?

Most missed items are bills, maintenance responsibility, and house rules. Clarify utilities/internet billing, aircon servicing/repairs, and cooking/visitors/address-use rules in writing.

Rental viewing checklist (Singapore): inspect, ask, record

Before the viewing (30-minute setup)

Lock your commute target: office/school address → MRT/bus → door-to-door time (not station name).
Write a cash-flow cap: deposit + first month rent + temporary stay + viewing transport in one line.
Bring a simple kit: phone torch, power bank, tissue, and a quick notes template.
Ask the same questions for every unit to compare fairly.

On-site quick inspection (10 minutes)

Noise: corridor/lift/road noise with the door closed; think night-time impact.
Light + ventilation: window direction, blockage, airflow, and odours.
Water + drainage: pressure, hot water stability, floor trap smells, shower pooling.
Aircon + mould: airflow, smells, mould marks near corners/wardrobes/window frames.
Pest signals: kitchen corners, sink area, skirting edges; bait/trap signs.
Sockets + Wi‑Fi: plug count and signal in bedrooms/corners.

Questions to confirm (ideally in writing)

Safe payment watch-outs

Avoid paying any “booking fee” before a viewing and identity verification.
Pay only the named payee on the contract/receipt and keep transfer proof.
Verify agent/salesperson identity via the CEA public register.
Walk away from pressure tactics (“today only”, “cash only”).

Viewing notes template (screenshot/print)

Use the same table for every unit so comparisons stay fair.

Item	Notes
Address / floor / facing	e.g. Tampines, 12F, SW
Rent + what's included	S$____/mo; utilities included?
Deposit + payment schedule	Deposit____; pay by ____
Aircon + repairs	Servicing____; repair responsibility____
Noise / light / commute	Noise____; commute____ mins
Risks + follow-up questions	Address use / visitors / cooking in writing?

Next: plug rent into your monthly budget

After viewing, put rent + utilities + commute + buffer into your budget to validate affordability.

Open the calculator Move to Singapore Checklist

Sources and update notes

SGBook summarises practical planning ranges and links back to official sources so you can verify before making decisions.