USEFUL Terms in Singapore Real Estate

LANDED PROPERTIES

Any house with a garden is called a landed property.   Many of the larger properties have swimming pools, if not landlords may be prepared to put one in for an increase in rent.  Alternatively you can rent a portable pool on a monthly basis and these are up to 11m in length.

Common terms you will hear when you are looking to rent your home are;

• Semi-detached 
  Houses that have one common wall and will usually have their own garden.  These can be up to three storeys.
• Linked House
  One of a pair of landed houses joined by a common wall separating the car porches of the 2 houses.  This common wall is the side wall of the car porches.
• Terrace Houses
  Joined properties in a row.  These homes do often have a paved or grassed garden.  Townhouses in this style may have comunal facilities such as pool, playground and gym.
• Corner Terrace
  The landed house at the end of a row of terrace houses that normally has a larger land area compared to the other terrace houses.
• Maisonette
  A 2-level residential unit in a building.  The 2 adjoining floors of the unit are connected by an internal staircase in the unit.
• Shophouses
  The original Singapore style houses that would have been shops below and accommodation above.  Many are renovated to include original features and tiling.  outdoor areas are usually small but many have internal courtyards.  These are generally found central or east.
• Detached Homes
  They are bungalows with single, double or three storeys and a garden.
• Black and Whites 
  The majority are owned by the government now but were the orginal air force, army and civil homes of the British era.  They range from small terraced homes to palacial properties on stilts.  Many have huge gardens and servant quarters.  These are let empty of air cons, fans and white good unless you buy them from the previous tenants.
• Cul-De-Sac House
  A landed house at the end of a large turnaround dead-end road.
• Duplex House
  A 2-storey house consisting of one residential unit on the first floor and another residential unit on the second floor sharing the same land.  The second floor unit is accessible from a staircase outside the first floor unit.
• Townhouse
  One in a row of not less than 3 residential units having ground contact and common ownership of the land.
• Cluster Housing
  Cluster housing is a marriage between conventional landed houseing and condominium housing.  All units have ground contact but with shared facilities similar to those found in condominiums.  Cluster housing therefore have Strata Titles.

MEDIUM & HIGH RISE PROPERTIES

• Apartments 
  Apartments can range from studios to expansive five bedroom flats set over one or two floors.
• Condominiums 
  Condos are properties that offer facilities which usually includes a gym, tennis court, function room, pool and small shop.
• Penthouses
  Are less plentiful but if you need to be central they offer private outdoor living with some great views.  Many of the newer ones have their own jacuzzi.
• HDB Flats 
  Singaporeans can rent their flats or sublet bedrooms to either Permanent Residents or Non-Citizens with employment or student passes or work permits.  But there are restrictions so check these out first.
• Rental Terms

Fully furnished (f/f):
Beds, dining table, chairs, lounge chairs, study table/chair, curtains, lamps, kitchen appliances, built in cabinets, air condition, water heaters. Note: linen, cutlery and crockery is often not provided.
Partially furnished (p/f):
Basic kitchen appliances, built in cabinets, basic lights, heater, air-conditioning, and curtains.
Unfurnished (unf.):
Completely empty, sometimes kitchen, built in cabinets, perhaps with air-conditioners, water heaters (except HDB flats and black and whites).
Rooms:
4+1+1 = Living, dining, 4 bedrooms, 1 maid’s room, 1 study/utility room.