Utility rooms, bomb shelters a draw for tenants on a budget
Time for landlord to max out their rental income:D
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking...ry_781487.html
Utility rooms, bomb shelters a draw for tenants on a budget
Published on Mar 25, 2012
By Kezia Toh
One might ask, what is smaller to sleep in than a tiny room in those tiny shoebox apartments? Well, for those looking to rent space, no questions asked, there are utility rooms and bomb shelters.
Home owners have found a source of income in the tiniest room in their homes - by renting out the utility room and bomb shelter, even if the practice is illegal for public apartment units.
As for private property, there do not seem to be any guidelines on this.
Background story
It's cheap
'I don't mind because it is cheap, and just a place to lay my head at night.'
MR FU TIAN, a student from China, who rents a utility room in a three-room HDB flat in Queenstown. He forks out $450 a month in rent
It's too stifling
'I realised just how small the utility room was only after I moved out.'
MISS SAMANTHA LEE, who paid $600 a month for a utility room in a three-room Toa Payoh HDB flat
Owners put in a single bed or mattress, and throw in a small cabinet or desk, leaving barely enough walking space
http://www.propertyguru.com.sg/prope...-bomb-shelters
New fad: Tenants renting bomb shelters
Mar 26, 2012 - PropertyGuru.com.sg
By Romesh Navaratnarajah
Shoebox units may be small, but for those who need an even smaller space, utility rooms and bomb shelters (pictured) are being rented out.
Some homeowners have resorted to renting out the smallest rooms in their house for extra income, although the practice is illegal for public housing. As for private property, no clear guidelines cover this practice.
Owners usually put in a single mattress or a bed and a small cabinet or desk, leaving barely enough walking space. Some rooms are so tiny that the door can’t be opened fully.
Renters pay around S$300 to S$600 a month for these rooms, which are relatively cheaper than HDB flats.
In suburban areas like Sengkang and Yishun, units are rented out from S$600 to S$900, while in central areas such as Bishan and Toa Payoh; they could reach S$1,000.
Homeowners are even promoting their utility rooms and bomb shelters online, with room measurements and furnishing details listed. Utility rooms, which mostly have windows, can be as small as four sq m, while bomb shelters, or household shelters may be as small as 2.4 sq m.
Nicholas Mak, Head of Research at SLP International, said that many takers are foreign students and young, single foreigners working in Singapore.
One condo owner in Paya Lebar received over 20 offers to rent out his 3.5 sq m bomb shelter. Three weeks ago, he decided to rent it out for S$400 a month.
The Malaysian tenant, a designer, also has access to the condo's facilities, including the swimming pool, gym and sauna.
