Asked by Ms. Sarah How
Charges for bedroom rental advertising?
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1 Answer
In Singapore, the cost of advertising and securing a tenant for a bedroom depends on whether you market it yourself or engage a licensed property agent:
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### 1. Engaging a Property Agent (Success-Based Commission)
If you hire an agent to take professional photos, market the room on portals, conduct viewings, vet tenant passes, and draft the tenancy agreement, **advertising costs are absorbed by the agent**.
Under CEA regulations, agent commission is **negotiable and strictly success-based**:
* **1-Year Lease:** The standard market norm is **half a month’s rent** (or up to 1 month’s rent for lower-value or high-effort room rentals, e.g., $500–$1,000).
* **2-Year Lease:** The market norm is **1 month’s rent**.
* **GST:** Ensure you verify whether the agency is GST-registered (9% GST applies on the commission fee).
* **No Sale / No Lease = No Fee:** Unless you explicitly sign a written agreement to pay upfront ad disbursements, you owe $0 if no tenant is secured.
---
### 2. Advertising the Room Yourself (Direct Owner DIY)
If you prefer to find a tenant directly without paying an agent commission:
* **Carousell:** Free for standard community listings, or ~$10 to $40 for "Bumps" and "Spotlight" visibility boosts.
* **Social Media & Roommate Platforms:** Free to post in verified Facebook groups (e.g., *Singapore Room Rental*, *Rooms for Rent SG*) and platforms like Roomies.my/sg or RentinSingapore.
* **Major Portals (PropertyGuru / 99.co):** These platforms restrict listings **exclusively to CEA-licensed agents**; individual homeowners cannot post directly on them.
---
### Crucial Landlord Checklist for Room Rentals
* **HDB Bedroom Subletting Approval:** If you are renting out a spare bedroom in an HDB flat, you do not need prior HDB approval, but you must register the tenant details with HDB within 7 days of lease commencement.
* **Occupancy Limits:** Maximum 4 to 6 occupants (including owners) depending on flat size and property type.
* **Tenancy Protections:** Set clear rules in the agreement covering aircon servicing intervals, utility sharing, light-cooking policies, visitor boundaries, and a minor repair cap ($150–$300).
---
Gan Eng Joo Onassis 颜荣裕, REALTOR®
MSc BIT (Middlesex, UK); BBA (UniSA)
CEA Reg No: R021244C | Mobile: (+65) 88899918
Email: onassis@sgagent.com
SGAgent.com | SGRealtor.com | SGCommercial.com | SGCBD.com
SGShowflat.com | SGNewLaunch.com
Integrated Services: SGCash.com | SGRepair.com | SGLegal.com
Social (Facebook & TikTok): @sgcommercial Read More
---
### 1. Engaging a Property Agent (Success-Based Commission)
If you hire an agent to take professional photos, market the room on portals, conduct viewings, vet tenant passes, and draft the tenancy agreement, **advertising costs are absorbed by the agent**.
Under CEA regulations, agent commission is **negotiable and strictly success-based**:
* **1-Year Lease:** The standard market norm is **half a month’s rent** (or up to 1 month’s rent for lower-value or high-effort room rentals, e.g., $500–$1,000).
* **2-Year Lease:** The market norm is **1 month’s rent**.
* **GST:** Ensure you verify whether the agency is GST-registered (9% GST applies on the commission fee).
* **No Sale / No Lease = No Fee:** Unless you explicitly sign a written agreement to pay upfront ad disbursements, you owe $0 if no tenant is secured.
---
### 2. Advertising the Room Yourself (Direct Owner DIY)
If you prefer to find a tenant directly without paying an agent commission:
* **Carousell:** Free for standard community listings, or ~$10 to $40 for "Bumps" and "Spotlight" visibility boosts.
* **Social Media & Roommate Platforms:** Free to post in verified Facebook groups (e.g., *Singapore Room Rental*, *Rooms for Rent SG*) and platforms like Roomies.my/sg or RentinSingapore.
* **Major Portals (PropertyGuru / 99.co):** These platforms restrict listings **exclusively to CEA-licensed agents**; individual homeowners cannot post directly on them.
---
### Crucial Landlord Checklist for Room Rentals
* **HDB Bedroom Subletting Approval:** If you are renting out a spare bedroom in an HDB flat, you do not need prior HDB approval, but you must register the tenant details with HDB within 7 days of lease commencement.
* **Occupancy Limits:** Maximum 4 to 6 occupants (including owners) depending on flat size and property type.
* **Tenancy Protections:** Set clear rules in the agreement covering aircon servicing intervals, utility sharing, light-cooking policies, visitor boundaries, and a minor repair cap ($150–$300).
---
Gan Eng Joo Onassis 颜荣裕, REALTOR®
MSc BIT (Middlesex, UK); BBA (UniSA)
CEA Reg No: R021244C | Mobile: (+65) 88899918
Email: onassis@sgagent.com
SGAgent.com | SGRealtor.com | SGCommercial.com | SGCBD.com
SGShowflat.com | SGNewLaunch.com
Integrated Services: SGCash.com | SGRepair.com | SGLegal.com
Social (Facebook & TikTok): @sgcommercial Read More