The Smart Tenant’s Guide to HDB Flat Handover Inspections

Moving into a new home feels exhilarating. But moving out is not always easy, particularly when it comes to leaving the place before the time in your HDB flat. As a tenant, you have to ensure that you do the following checks.

Also, booking movers in Singapore for the move-out can cost you a lot if you don’t schedule it correctly. So, read this blog and learn to be a smart tenant for a seamless and budget-friendly move. The hacks to get the entire security deposit back are revealed below.

So, dive in before you hire cheap house movers in Singapore for a smart tenant’s guide to make the move-out process easy.

What Does HDB Check During A Flat Handover Inspection?

Firstly, when moving out, you have to pass the flat inspection, so it’s better if you carry out one yourself before submitting the keys. Here’s what to check-

Rigorous Structural Damage Audits

Inspect for any wall dents, or hacked structural beams, or any layout/partition issues as part of a structural audit.

Original HDB Fixtures Verification

The original doors, toilet seats, and sinks should be in good condition, for those put during your move-in or the renovation by the landlord would do.

Proper Flooring State Assessment

Thoroughly check the floor for cracked tiles or deeply stained parquet floors caused by negligence.

Basic Utility Functionality Tests

Inspect the core electrical wiring, sockets, and plumbing points are safe and fully operating without any damage or risks.

These checks are part of your tenancy agreement, and the tenant has to go through a joint inspection along with the landlord. You have to check this before the actual inspection.

How Do I Get My Full Rental Deposit Back From an HDB Landlord?

As mentioned above, you need to ensure that the flat is in a good condition as you were provided at the time of moving in. Additionally, you must have the following proofs-

Produce Comprehensive Move-In Proof

You must present original, dated inventory log images to prove you did not cause the existing defects.

Clear All Minor Repair Obligations

You are obliged to fix loose cabinet hinges, replace blown lights and patch tiny wall holes before the final walkthrough.

Provide Professional Cleaning Receipts

Also, hand over any official invoices to prove that you’ve had the flat deep-cleaned up to the handover standards.

Settle Final Day Utility Bills

Print out your absolute last SP Services bill statement to prove that zero outstanding debts remain on the unit.

You must pass this official inspection before arranging to hire movers in Singapore to vacate your place.

How Do I Move Out After Terminating My HDB Tenancy?

When you end your HDB tenancy, you can’t move out at once. There are several things to take care of before you can move out.

Check the Notice Period

According to your Tenancy Agreement (TA), you might be required to give three months' notice before you vacate the property.

Restore and disconnect utilities

You have to reinstate the flat back to its original move-in condition and inform the SP Group to stop your utilities or have final meter readings taken.

Return the Keys

Decide the date and time with your landlord to hand over the keys, access cards, and carpark transponders.

Joint Flat Inspection

Walk through the flat with the landlord or their agent to officially check the inventory and confirm the condition of the property.

After the notice period ends, you can move out easily, but you still need to take care of restoring the HDB to its original state. Moreover, if you plan to discontinue your tenancy early, the move-out will be different.

Can An HDB Tenant Request An Early Move-Out?

Before you can hire some cheap house movers in Singapore for the early move out, you have to ensure that you-

Trigger the Official Diplomatic Clause

If you are an international tenant, you can legally break your lease after 12 months if you have to move for your job.

Find a Suitable Replacement Tenant

You can offer to post on Carousell and host the home viewers to find a clean replacement tenant to placate the owner.

Forfeit the Security Deposit Cushion

Breaking the lease early with zero valid legal clause, you may have to forfeit your entire 1-to 2-month deposit.

Pay Pro-Rated Agent Commission Fees

You might have to reimburse the landlord for the pro-rated share of their property agent fees if you are moving out early.

Abiding by these factors will help you move out early, and you can be assured that there are no court battles that follow.

FAQs

What should be the max budget for a move?

The cost of a local move is SGD 1200, and for a long-distance move to another town is up to SGD 5000.

What to do 2 days before moving?

Clear out your fridge, empty the kitchen cabinets, and collect together the important documents before the movers arrive.

How many hours to book movers for?

A short-distance move can be completed in 3-4 hours. A long-distance move generally takes 8-12 hours, so you may book 5-6 crew members for a quicker move.

What are red flags with movers?

The indicators of scammers in movers are extremely low or expensive prices, a need for a very large initial payment for booking, and a lack of physical existence.

How clean must an HDB flat be when handing over?

It must be swept and mopped completely. Also, double-check bomb shelters, service yards, and air conditioning ledges to ensure no personal junk is left behind.

Takeaways

There you have it, everything you need to know before you can move out of an HDB as a tenant. The move-in is already expensive in Singapore, but the move-out can cost you even more if you break your tenancy early.

Also, hire reliable moving services in SG and prepare for the move. For an HDB move-out, you might have to carefully plan and budget to save significantly. Hopefully, with this guide, you can move out easily and save on the tenancy fines.

How Second-Hand Marketplaces Facilitate Decluttering For A Home Move

Decluttering is a default when moving homes, and the new-gen movers are all about doing it mindfully. The secondhand market has seen a recent boom, especially in the last five years. They prefer to give away things rather than discarding them.

So, if you are planning to move with assistance from professional house moving services in Singapore, you have to hop on this trend now. Giving away, selling or buying things you’re planning to discard is not only environmentally conscious but also economically sound.

Besides, you can hire cheap house movers in Singapore to help you do the sorting, but choosing not to add to the landfill is your decision. Read this blog to know how secondhand marketplaces might be a better choice than discarding your things before a move.

How to declutter to move house?

When you move, you can declutter at your own pace and convenience. There are generally just four steps to follow: 

Sorting

Firstly, sort out everything in a room into ‘useful’ and ‘to be removed’ piles. This is only the first stage of sorting, so you can breeze through everything casually.

Categorise

Next, for both the piles, further categorise everything that you are moving, giving away, selling, or removing. This way, you can take some time to plan the giveaway/donation and sale. 

Hold a giveaway/donation

After you are done with categorising everything, you can first hold a giveaway for the people around you while inviting them to visit your home. The gently used items can be donated to a welfare cause.

Put things on sale

Lastly, after you’re done with the giveaway, you can put your things on sale at the secondhand marketplace on Facebook or dedicated platforms like "Carousell."

When decluttering before a move, you might come up with a plethora of things to be discarded. Don’t give in to the urge to put everything into garbage bags to remove it all. But persevere through it, as selling online is easier than you might think. 

How Do Second-Hand Selling Platforms Help To Clear Your Home?

Before you hire house moving services in Singapore, ensure that you sell or give away anything you are not planning to move. This will help reduce your belongings and make the move cheaper. So, secondhand selling platforms are much more handy for movers.

Some more benefits include the following:

Instant digital reach

With Facebook Marketplace and other dedicated apps, you get an instant digital reach to a good number of buyers at your fingertips.

Earning extra cash

Moreover, with online selling, you can make some extra cash before the move that you can use as an emergency budget or add to your move expenses.

Sustainable removal

With secondhand selling, you are increasing the lifespan of the goods that can be used for a few more years and making a sustainable choice. 

Flexible logistics

Dedicated reselling apps have well-structured logistics with built-in options for scheduling pick-up and delivery to the buyer.

Effortless goods reductions

You can manage your inventory of things in your home and for the move seamlessly with this option. Also, you can effortlessly reduce your belongings before the move and for periodic decluttering.

The online secondhand selling marketplaces are really useful for buyers and sellers as they can exchange goods smoothly without actual physical interaction. For home movers, it offers an option to “mindfully” get rid of everything not worth moving.

In Short

The reason for the rise of these secondhand selling platforms is the growing focus on environmental awareness and making sustainable choices. So when you move, ensure you also make environmentally sound choices.

When you move with assistance from house moving services in Singapore, ensure that you’ve decluttered enough to lower the moving expenses. Also, explore the secondhand selling option to prolong the life of your goods in someone else’s hands rather than removing them at your own.  As a whole, this will also help promote a more circular and sustainable economy. You can now go ahead and plan to sell your old goods for your next move or if you are doing a routine decluttering.

8 Home Move Tips For A Summer Move That Are "Sibei Worth It”

Summer heat and humidity are a combination that can make even the most “summer-loving” person give up and run indoors. Imagine having to move homes in the scorching summer, but if you’ve clicked on this blog.

It’ll be a reality for you soon, as you might be planning the same. But don’t worry, read this blog for some “Lobang Expert” (insider) tips to hire the right moving service in Singapore. Also, these moving tips will make your summer move “Sibei” (extremely) smooth and worth it!

Besides, this is the only guide you need for a summer move, before you go on typing “cheap house movers in Singapore”, and book with the first one you see. Read on for some summer move tips that “confirm plus chop” (guaranteed) help you keep your cool on the move.

Hire “Steady” Professionals

Don’t just hire any moving company, but first define what you need help with. The volume of your move and the services you seek. A versatile moving service can help you with it all, including packing, moving, unpacking, car move, pet relocation and more.

The move isn’t only about moving your goods to a new place, but also if the moving process is cost-effective and time-efficient. So, save yourself a headache and compare quotes from different services to make an informed decision.

Declutter You Extra Stuff

When you move, you’ll definitely discard a lot of old items. Often, it’s not just a small pile of junk to be removed but an entire room's worth of things that need to be discarded. So, the best way to deal with it is to start decluttering early.

Also, if you are not planning to throw all of your home’s furniture at once, then you can take care of it on your own.

Keep Hydrated and Cool

Wear breathable light clothing on the move and generally in summer. The humidity in the summer is no joke. Also, keep water and cold drinks handy, so that you can stay hydrated even when you’re busy with the packing and the move.

Also, out of courtesy and the good of your heart, remember to offer cold water/drinks to the staff of the moving service in Singapore you hire. They can also stay cool and work chop-chop (fast) to have you moved in no time.

Essential “Barang-Barang”

Moving home is already difficult, but a summer move will have you drenched in sweat by the end of the day. So, prepare an essential kit for the move, and move it with you. Until the movers are done assembling your furniture and setting it up, you can’t relax.

But if you carry essential “barang-barang” (goods) with you, you can relax and wind down without opening any boxes. Pack a bag or a box with a change of clothes, towels, linens, toiletries, and cleaning essentials. Also, add food and snacks for the night.

Protect Your Electronics

The humidity will get you often and make you feel irritated, but keep you cool. However, don’t let the humidity get to your electronics (literally and figuratively). It can damage the microcircuits and erode the paint on the outer layer.

When you pack, use silica packets to absorb any moisture; just put them in the boxes you’re packing the electronics in. Also, use multiple layers of plastic wraps, as needed, to keep the outer layer safe on the move.

Use good-quality corrugated boxes, bubble wraps, packing peanuts, and friction-free wrapping material to pack the electronics. Poor-quality boxes might collapse on the move. It can damage the electronics.

Don't Get “Kena” Fines

Many condos require a moving deposit, generally between 1000 and 2000 SGD. Check your management rules early so you don't “kena”(To be affected by) a fine for scuffing the lift. Moving without proper permissions from the MCST can cost you money and time.

You need to submit a move application a week in advance to secure a move slot, elevators and parking spots to prevent fines. Also, don’t hire any cheap house movers in Singapore, as it can be a whole other financial liability.

“Ghost Hour” Move

Move for a Tuesday or Wednesday. Traffic is lighter than at weekends, and movers are often more willing to give a discount. Besides, if you are moving through the Causeway, you can get stuck in heavy traffic at 10 am on a random Wednesday for hours.

Moving on a night/early morning schedule is often considered a ghost-moving schedule. But, if you have a huge assortment to move, it is generally the best time to avoid the peak-hour rush.

You can easily move in the next day as per the building’s moving schedule.

The Pineapple Ritual

Lastly, what’s better to move into your new home than rolling ‘the’ best summer fruit. For the just factor, roll a pineapple into your new home before the movers enter. It’s a classic local move tip to welcome prosperity.

This will eliminate any bad vibes before you step in, and you can end this summer move with a pleasant yet whimsical vibe.

In “Summary”

Moving in hot and humid weather can have you feeling the “summertime-sadness” if you’re not prepared for it, financially, mentally and physically. Hopefully, the above-listed hack can help you keep cool and move in zen mode.

Besides, with the right moving service in Singapore, your transition to your new home would be seamless and stress-free. So, if you’re planning a summer move, this list will come in handy. Just remember to keep calm and hang on, because there’s no beating the heat!

Moving Guide: From Johor Bahru To Singapore

If you are planning to finally shift to Singapore for work, education, or other social reasons, this blog is your saviour. Read this blog for some ‘confirm plus chop’ strategies to make this transition a smooth ride.

If you seek cheap house movers in Singapore, I've got you. Can’t predict the best time to move? Save your headache. Your local move guide is here to plan this move with you. This blog covers all the ways you can avoid any fines and added charges on the move.

Also, guys! Read on for quick ways to spot red flags and find reliable house movers in Singapore to make a successful transition. Dive in!

Crossing the Causeway: Why Timing Your Move is Everything

Moving to Singapore might be just a jog in the park if you’ve crossed the Johor causeway regularly. But moving homes is where it gets challenging. So, what’s the right time to move, you wonder, plan this way- 

It’s not about the truck.

Time is money, and it’s not about the moving truck you are choosing. It can be a challenge to move in any truck, regardless of its size, if you move during peak traffic.

Avoid traffic jams

The best course of action is to avoid traffic jams as much as possible. Moving during rush hour won’t do you any good.

Move mid-week

If you want to move smoothly, schedule the move for mid-week on a weekday. This way, you won’t be stuck in a 3-hour traffic jam at 10 am.

Ghost hours

The best time to avoid the traffic is to move during the late/early hours, i.e. very early or an overnight move.

So, you now have a move schedule you can start booking with movers, chop-chop! A lot of people move in and out on this route regularly, so you have competition when booking your desired schedule.

Lobangs & Red Flags: When You Seek a Reliable SG Mover

Now, everyone wants cheap house movers in Singapore. But cheap movers sometimes can become expensive. When they break your TV, you can only regret it. Here’s how to spot reliable movers instead- 

Check reviews and reputation.

Go beyond the company website and a Google search to check for reviews. Consult an experienced individual who moves frequently.

Verify licenses

Check the licenses for the services you shortlist and enquire about their liability insurance. This will help you score a better discount deal that’s ‘Sibei’ worth it. 

Detailed quote

A big red flag is if the moving quote is not clear and mentions the expenses vaguely. Get a detailed binding quote before paying any advances.

Refer to comparison platforms.

Go through other people’s experiences on MoveWise or other similar move-focused platforms to find the best services.

This is how you can spot reliable movers and get good discounts on the go. The move might be a time-consuming one, so it’s better to plan early to get the desired move slot and prices.

Avoid the Fine: Essential VEP and GST Rules for Your Belongings

Also, don’t be a ‘blur sotong’ (clueless person) when it comes to settling your VEP or declaration properly. The fine can be hefty. So, it’s better to settle it early than to be stuck at the border for four hours. Here are the details- 

The VEP fee is $35 SGD per day, and you can avail of 10 free VEP days per year.

No fee is applicable if you enter past 5 pm and leave before 2 am.

For the move, apply for an AutoPass card and get LTA approval for road tax.

No GST applicable on used household items, if they’ve been used for more than three months.

Your shipment must arrive within six months of your employment. Beyond that, 9% GST is applicable.

Declare your goods before the move and update documents with valid, updated road tax and insurance. 

When you hire house movers in Singapore, you can tally with these dates and confirm your booking accordingly. Also, try out the following rituals and tips to make your first day after moving a positive one.

Pro-Tip: The Ultimate "No-Stress" Packing List for Johor-to-SG Moves

Lastly, before the move, here are some smart packing tips so that you don’t have to carry your ‘barang-barang’ in a hurry- 

Declutter before you pack. The more goods you have, the more GST you might have to pay. With a huge assortment, a consolidated move might not be possible.

Pack your electronics carefully, as they can get damaged if you move on an odd schedule or you move in traffic, with the truck stopping every two meters.

If you opt for a shared move, label all the items carefully. Do not forget to label the electronics and the fragile, regardless of the move type.

Move in the morning, if possible. The daytime is considered favourable if you’re moving to start something new, a job or education.

Pack and move essentials separately with you so that you can wind down and relax, if there’s a delay in the delivery of your goods.

If you prepare this way, you can move hassle-free and have no issues on the move. Also, convey your packing needs to the moving company you hire so that you can unpack after the move effectively. 

In A Nutshell
The issues with moving from Johor to Singapore lie in crossing the Causeway and ensuring that you can avoid the long hours of traffic. So, ‘tabao’ these tips and tricks to make your next move from Johor to Singapore a seamless one.

Also, scheduling the move at the right time might cost you some money. But you can opt for a consolidated move with reliable yet cheap house movers in Singapore. Now, go ahead, ah! Have a successful move!