Relocating or simply moving house in Singapore involves a lot of logistics. ELISE WERFEL and KASIA NOSKE of Expat Handovers know from personal experience how tricky this transition can be. Here are five reasons you might want to consider using their relocation service and get a property condition report for your next move.
#1 Understanding your expat experience
Elise and Kasia founded their relocation service business based on their collective experiences of living in Singapore for 14 years. These Aussie expats have been in your shoes and know what it’s like to rent in a foreign country. Expat Handovers is a people-based business that exists to help make renting in Singapore stress- and hassle-free. “Our ambition is to remove the burden and costs associated with relocation. So our clients can get on with living their best lives on the Little Red Dot!” says Kasia.
#2 Finding a property
“We know what the expat community looks for when finding a home away from home,” says Elise. With Kasia, she helps people to find their new space – whether it be a condo, landed house or something in between. This includes conducting a comprehensive analysis to ensure they understand your specific needs. They then source properties from publicly available sites so that there’s no restriction on the type of properties you can view. Doing the leg work means you only view potential properties that meet your exact needs.
Fully inclusive packages include transport to and from viewings. “We know that one size doesn’t always fit all, so we offer a range of add-ons that clients can pick from to facilitate their moving experience,” says Kasia.
#3 Preparing Property Condition Reports
The company provides an independent solution for tenants and landlords to ensure that both parties straightforwardly understand the condition of the property at the start of the tenancy. “We conduct digital comprehensive Property Condition Reports, documented with photo evidence, videos and remarks on the condition of every fixture, fitting and furnishing in the property at the start and end of the tenancy,” says Kasia. Detailed reports start at $250, are over 200 pages, and contain around 800 photos!
#4 Setting you up on a platform to record defects
The first 30 days of a new tenancy in Singapore are crucial. Any defects must be noted and acknowledged in order to be repaired. “Our service continues beyond the initial inspection. Within our Property Condition Reports we’ve built in the ability for clients to log defects found within the 30 days,” says Elise. This live link allows clients to update their report at a time that suits them and ensure all evidence is captured in one easy-to-read report. “At the end of the defects period a PDF report can be signed by both parties. This allows landlords and tenants to keep track of repairs, and avoids unnecessary WhatsApps.”
5 Avoiding disputes and getting your deposit back
“We understand the importance of getting your hard earned deposit back at the end of your tenancy,” says Elise. It’s staggering how many tenants and landlords end up in the Small Claims Tribunal due to disputes arising from wear and tear and damage occurring during or before tenancy.
Having a Property Condition Report done at the start and end of your tenancy provides a concrete comparison of any changes in condition during the tenancy. “Our purpose built technology provides line by line comparisons of every area inspected, limiting the disputes arising between tenant and landlord on damage occurring (or not) during the tenancy,” says Kasia. It’s a smart investment to allow for a smooth transition at the end of your lease.
Book an initial consultation to see how Expat Handovers relocation service can help with moving house in Singapore.
This article first appeared in the May 2024 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe, so you never miss a copy!
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