Tucked away in tranquil neighbourhoods, far from the concrete jungle that is Central Singapore, are the iconic black-and-white colonial bungalows of our past. SLA manages these black-and-white homes and other heritage landed properties and apartments built in a bygone era.
While most of us would have chanced upon these historical homes when dining out at Dempsey or wandering around Nassim Road, did you know you could rent and live in one of them? In this article, we’ll share more about how you can rent one of these elegant properties.
Note: The $1.8k price tag mentioned in the title has been based off of the cheapest transaction in the last SLA bidding cycle for a studio apartment. As SLA-managed properties are available via an open bidding system, there are no guaranteed or fixed rental prices.
What are colonial black-and-white houses?
A black and white home near Changi Village.
Image credit: @singaporelandauthority
For history buffs and those who appreciate the architecture of heritage buildings, renting a colonial black-and-white house will hold a special allure. These colonial-era bungalows were originally built between 1903 and 1941 to house British officers and expatriate families. Some black-and-white houses were also used as boarding schools and administration buildings.
White-washed walls and dark timber beams give these bungalows their signature look. Long and wide verandahs, an open ground floor, an overhanging hipped roof, and a carriage porch are other distinct features.
These 19th-century homes are built in a Tudorbethan style with adapted local features from Malay kampong houses. For example, the homes are raised from the ground and propped by stilts to guard against termite attacks and flash floods. Being elevated from the ground also allowed for better ventilation. Coupled with high ceilings, the resultant architecture allowed for better ventilation to beat the tropical heat.
Fast-forward to the present day, many of these structures have been converted into government buildings, galleries, bars, and restaurants. The remainder are still available for rent to the public.
How can you rent a colonial apartment or terraced house from SLA?
Apartments at 48A Nassim Hill.
Image credit: @singaporelandauthority
While we are all familiar with the grand black-and-white bungalows that dot Singapore’s centre, you might not know that SLA also has a smattering of black-and-white heritage apartments and landed homes spread out around Singapore that you can rent!
SLA also manages other heritage properties such as terraced and semi-detached landed homes. These state-managed homes range from low-rise walk-up apartments to top-floor units. For those who favour apartments, you can find heritage homes along Monk’s Hill Road, 426 Clemenceau Avenue, 86 Linden Drive, 48A Nassim Hill, and Changi Road.
Where can you find SLA’s black-and-white apartments?
About 500 black-and-white houses remain, mostly managed and preserved by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA). You can find these buildings in the following areas
- North: Sembawang Park, Cyprus Road, and Seletar
- South: Mount Faber, Alexandra Park, Mount Faber, and Gillman Barracks
- East: Changi Road
- West: Wessex Estate, Nepal Hill, Rochester Park, Portsdown, and Fifth Avenue
- Central: Adam Park, Chancery Lane, Dempsey, Mount Pleasant, Goodwood Hill, and Ridley Park
Why should I rent an SLA apartment or landed home instead of a black-and-white house?
Image credit: @singaporelandauthority
Caption: A heritage flat, located at 426 Clemenceau Avenue North
They could also be landed homes that aren’t heritage bungalows found in places such as Chip Bee Gardens, Tanglin Village, Jalan Tembusu, Pender Road, and Jalan Beringin. Like black-and-white heritage bungalows, most of these landed properties and SLA apartments are older and have sizeable square footage.
The property’s age means the units may have atypical layouts. Think only having one toilet for the whole home, or having separate toilet and shower areas in your apartment. For example, there may only be two bedrooms in an over 2,000sqft home—that’s the same size as a large jumbo flat!
For high-rise units, they may also be housed in buildings without lift access on every floor. You’ll have to be mindful of paying movers to get your furniture up the steps or if you live with someone with mobility challenges.
Rental rates for SLA apartments are typically attractive for homes of this size, but you may have to be prepared to fix up your SLA apartment. For example, you may be the tenant who forks out cash to install air conditioning and cabinetry in a bare bones unit.
If you are in a landed SLA property, ask how much the backyard and/or garden maintenance fees are. Monthly landscaping fees can rack up and SLA usually charge their tenants with this task.
How to rent an SLA home—the process
The strong demand for the limited number of black-and-white homes means the listings are usually quickly snapped up. But if you’ve got your heart set on renting one of these properties, here’s how to go about it.
First, head over to the SLA website to view the available rental units. These black-and-white homes usually have a 2- or 3-year tenure. For rental properties managed by SLA, there is an open bidding system. Rental units are typically managed by agents.
Image credit: SLA
Caption: Here is what a listing would look like.
Once you’ve selected your desired unit, get in touch with the agents and schedule an appointment; their numbers are listed on the listing. If all is in order, submit your application form, required documents (i.e. identification documents of all occupants, a valid work pass if the tenant is a foreign person, a computerised payslip for the past 3 months, or the latest tax notice of assessment, see full list on SLA’s website), and application deposit (equivalent to the offered rent per month).
Next, your bid should be put in a sealed envelope and submitted in a tender box at the SLA building. As SLA reviews your application, you may be invited to attend a tender interview. If you are successful, you will receive a letter of acceptance. If you are not, you will have your deposit returned.
The winning bidder will move on to sign a tenancy agreement and pay rental stamp duty, administrative fees, and a security deposit of 3 months’ rent. All occupants must be registered and subletting the home without approval is not allowed.
Rental pricing of SLA homes
According to the SLA, your bid amount should be the amount of rent you are willing to pay. You can reference the prices of past successful tender awards on the State Property Information Online (SPIO) website.
Image credit: SLA
The reserve rental prices are based on rates “as determined by qualified valuers”. Actual transaction prices are determined by market demand and can fluctuate. For example, this double-storey landed home with a land area of 1,830sqft and estimated GFA of 1,425sqft at Jalan Rumia was tenanted for $6,554 per month. It had attracted 3 other bids ranging from $2,500 to $6,554.
Image credit: SLA
Whereas a Monk’s Hill Road 2-bed, 1-bath apartment with 1,575sqft of living space closed for $4,040/month for a 2-year tenancy period. The cheapest SLA apartment to have been rented out in the last bidding session was a 543sqft studio apartment on the ground-floor in Changi Village that had a winning bed of $1,820—which, is you discount its location, is a pretty great alternative to renting a bedroom in an HBD flat.
Large homes tend to have lower psf rental rates and a lower occupancy rate than smaller homes. Other heritage buildings, which are not black-and-white homes, tend to be less expensive. Units in prime districts and central areas usually command higher prices than their counterparts.
Eligibility & application requirements
Before you apply for a black-and-white house, we encourage you to read the terms and conditions for renting an SLA property. This can be found on the application form and the sample tenancy agreement on each listing.
Here are some eligibility criteria:
- You must be over 21
- You must not be bankrupt (or have a bankruptcy petition being presented)
- For those applying as an individual, ensure your average monthly income is at least thrice the offered rent or of “sound financial status”, as determined by the provided documents.
Considerations before renting a black-and-white SLA home
While there are many benefits to renting an SLA apartment, admittedly, there are the responsibilities and corresponding potential costs that come with maintaining an old building.
Electrical rewiring, waterproofing, repair for gas pipes, water pumps and sewerage systems, and pest eradication are among some issues you may face. If these problems come up after you’ve moved in, it is likely that it will be the tenant’s responsibility to fix them.
And if you’re planning to hack or do a total makeover of the interior, we’ll have to burst your bubble. A black-and-white house has restrictions on property modifications to preserve its heritage. Any additional or alteration work requires written approval from SLA and other relevant authorities, with tenants submitting plans, drawings, and calculations from professionals alongside the approval request. Furthermore, rental prices could even be adjusted after work is done!
At the end of the lease, you’ll be required to hand over the rental property in a “good state of repair and condition” at your own expense. So even if SLA approved any modified work during your rental lease, you’ll have to demolish and remove it before moving out.
Cover image adapted from: Singapore Land Authority
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