Singapore has a lot of options for
companies/individuals looking for serviced apartments. You get a variety of
options to choose from, right from studio/loft/1/2/3-bedroom serviced
apartments. Though there is no dearth of furnished apartments in Singapore, it’s prudent to practice some proven
steps so that you don’t end up in trouble.
Irrespective of what your budget is, here are
10 mistakes that you must avoid while choosing a serviced apartment for a
temporary stay in Singapore.
1. Neighborhood Checks
People often in haste book their rental
apartment without checking the neighbourhood areas. For a sophisticated urban
environment close to the City Center, Harbour
Front and Sentosa Island (10' by MRT or bus), serviced apartments available
with Alexis and Commonwealth Towers in Queenstown / Alexandra area could be the
right choice. You get easy access to Orchard, Holland Village, One north, CBD
and Marina Bay, among others with public transports. Based on what areas or
neighborhood you will be visiting or traveling frequently, you should choose
the serviced apartment in the right location.
2. Ignoring Reviews and Ratings
It’s a wiser call to take lessons from the
experience of others, rather than following the trial and error method. In the
connected world, I’m sure, you would not mind reading the reviews and ratings
before purchasing consumer products, so why to ignore the customer experience
in case of seeking temporary housing solution? Check what guests have to say
regarding the location, amenities, staff behavior, and overall value for money
of different serviced apartments available on rent.
3. Budget
Without keeping in mind other expenses of temporary
stay in Singapore, one often ends up choosing a serviced apartment at a higher
rental. Gradually, it starts burning a hole in their pocket, particularly, when
the situation demands for an extended stay in an expensive city like Singapore.
Hence, always be in your limit and check your finances well before going for
the monthly apartment rental.
4. Not Choosing the Right Service Provider
Contacting service apartment providers with a
not-so-healthy track record can invite many problems. How to decide or find a right
service provider? Check for authenticity and credibility of the Short or long
term corporate or expats housing solution providers in Singapore before you
commit.
5. Possibility to extend lease
Trips are usually planned and scheduled. You
are in the know how of what to do, where to visit, things to do, and so on.
However, you should be ready to answer any uncertainties that might spring up.
Whether the trip is a family vacation, corporate travel, study travel, medical
tourism, or for study, your temporary stay solution should be flexible enough
to help you cope with unpredictable things.
6. The Agreement
Not reading the lease agreement properly
before signing is one of the biggest reasons that lead to conflict between a
guest and a service provider. Check all the details related to renting, minimum
occupation period (MOP) termination of deeds, refund — word to word. Don’t sign
the papers if you find something objectionable or hard to decode. Seek
clarification from the customer support desk and take opinion of your
colleagues or family.
7. Access to Transportation
Luxury space, world-class amenities, friendly
staff, prices and terms – you pay attention to all. Sounds great! Have you
thought of how much time it will take to commute to places where you need to visit
regularly? Whether you are visiting there for business or personal reasons, you
can’t ignore the significance of access to transportation. Choose a serviced
apartment at a location which is well-connected to nearby areas of your
interest through public and private transport systems.
8. Amenities and Services
How accessible are the market, food court,
restaurants and bars, pharmacy, bank, hospitals and other amenities in the
area? If you are fitness freak, wouldn’t you love to know the nearest fitness
center, gym or spa? What about the access to and quality of housekeeping, Cable
TV, Internet connection and Wi-Fi services that you need to stay productive,
connected and entertained? All these factors contribute, directly or
indirectly, to your experience and, hence, never overlook these while zeroing
in on your serviced residences in Singapore.
9. Environment Cleanliness
Little attention is given to this factor, but
it’s important to keep in mind. On a foreign land, when you are away from home,
it’s more significant that you stay healthy as family is not there to support
you in unpleasant situation. Here comes the importance of a clean environment.
Clearly, this is not something that your housing service provider will convey
to you. Do some homework and find it yourself.
10. Insurance
Housing service providers usually insure the
apartments against accidental damages like flood, fire, etc. However, this
protection doesn’t extend to the occupant’s property like laptop, phone,
clothes, etc. Take some affordable general insurance policy that keeps your
assets covered against untoward incidents. Protect yourself too with some good
health insurance plan as life is full of surprises and unpredictable things.
Hope you found the suggestions useful. Comment
your tips and ideas and help readers to make the most of their Singapore trips.
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