Common Questions, Honest Answers.
Everything you need to know before you search, enquire, or book.
WelcomeStay is Singapore's student housing partner — not just a listings site. We help international students find, book, and settle into accommodation near NTU and other Singapore universities. That means curated listings, housemate matching, cleaning and aircon services, and real human support — all in one place.
Our listings are in neighbourhoods convenient to NTU — Boon Lay, Jurong West, Jurong East, Choa Chu Kang, Pioneer, and surrounding areas.
Browsing listings, enquiring, and registering your interest are all free — no charge to look around.
We also offer optional paid add-on services — twice-monthly cleaning and quarterly aircon servicing — which help you meet the maintenance obligations most tenancy agreements require. You're never obliged to use them. See the 'WelcomeStay Services' section below for details.
Browse listings and filter by location, room type, and budget. When you find something that looks right, send an enquiry or register your interest — our team responds directly.
You can then ask questions, arrange a viewing, agree on terms, sign the tenancy agreement, and pay the deposit directly to the landlord.
Need help matching with housemates? Our team handles that too.
We know that's a real concern. WelcomeStay offers a personal housemate matching service — tell us your preferences and we'll find compatible housemates for you in the same unit. You're not just booking a room; you're choosing who you live with.
We currently do not offer short-term leases. If you're on a short exchange programme, we recommend checking with your university's international student office for short-stay options.
WelcomeStay lists three types of properties: HDB flats, private condominiums (condos), and co-living spaces. Each has a different price point, finish, and set of facilities.
For a detailed breakdown of what to look out for in each type, check our Housing Guide: https://www.welcomestay.com.sg/en/housing-guide
HDB (Housing Development Board) flats are Singapore's public housing — well-maintained, affordable, and the most common rental option for students. Most HDB listings on WelcomeStay are individual rooms within a flat shared with other tenants in the same unit.
HDB estates are well-connected by MRT and bus, making them a practical, budget-friendly choice. Rents are generally lower than condo or co-living options.
Condos are privately developed residential buildings with a range of shared facilities — typically a swimming pool, gym, BBQ area, and 24-hour security. Renting in a condo costs more than an HDB, but you get a more modern finish and access to building amenities.
All residents including tenants can use the shared facilities. An access card or fob for the building is usually provided — some buildings charge a small deposit or fee for this.
Co-living spaces are purpose-built or professionally managed accommodations designed with students and young adults in mind. Rooms are typically fully furnished, with utilities and WiFi included in the rent, and shared communal spaces like living rooms and kitchens that are properly maintained.
Co-living is the most turnkey option — you don't need to worry about sourcing furniture, setting up utilities, or dealing with individual landlords. It tends to sit between HDB and condo pricing.
A master room is the largest bedroom in the unit and comes with its own en-suite bathroom — full privacy, no shared bathroom facilities. A common room is a standard-sized bedroom that shares bathrooms with the other tenants in the unit.
In both cases, the room itself is private — tenants do not share sleeping spaces. What differs is whether you have your own bathroom.
For a full breakdown of room types, see our Housing Guide: https://www.welcomestay.com.sg/en/housing-guide
Both are available. You can rent an individual room within a shared unit, or take an entire unit for yourself or your group. It depends on your budget and what you're looking for — browse our listings to see what's currently available.
Yes — whole-unit rentals give you the entire property to yourselves, making them the most suitable option for couples, families, or groups of friends. You won't be sharing common spaces with other tenants.
Photos are included in each listing where available. If you'd like additional photos or a video walkthrough of a specific room, send us an enquiry and we'll arrange it — keeping in mind that a live in-person visit may not always be possible if a room is currently occupied.
For room rentals, basic furniture is typically provided — a bed with mattress, wardrobe, and study desk with chair.
Kitchen equipment (pots, pans, cutlery) varies by property. Co-living spaces tend to be more fully equipped. Always check the individual listing for confirmed furnishing details, and ask us if anything is unclear.
Yes — for condo properties, all residents including tenants are entitled to use the building's shared facilities such as the swimming pool, gym, and BBQ area.
Note that some buildings charge a fee for the access card or fob. If this isn't stated in the listing, check with us or the landlord before move-in.
For co-living room rentals and whole-unit rentals, the landlord does not reside on the property. If this is important to you, let us know when you enquire.
The listed price is per room, per month. However, some larger master rooms include a surcharge if a second person will be sharing the room — this will be stated in the listing description.
If it's not clearly shown, confirm with us before committing.
Your upfront cost is typically 2 to 3 months' rent: first month's rent plus a 1-month deposit (for leases under 12 months) or a 2-month deposit (for 12 months or longer).
Rent is paid monthly throughout your tenancy — you will not be asked to pay the full lease term upfront.
Prices vary by room type, property, location, and what utilities are included. Browse our listings for current, up-to-date pricing — each listing shows exactly what's included. Starting your search early gives you the best chance of locking in a good rate.
Most tenancy agreements require tenants to cover cleaning and aircon maintenance. WelcomeStay's cleaning and aircon services handle both — or you can arrange your own vendors. Check individual listings and ask us what the tenancy requires.
No. You pay the landlord directly — WelcomeStay does not process or hold rental payments.
The financial relationship for rent and deposits is entirely between you and the property owner.
For room rentals, utilities are usually included in the rent. However, some units apply a cap on total utility usage for the whole unit — once the combined usage exceeds that threshold, the excess is split equally among all tenants.
Always check the listing details and confirm with us before committing so you know exactly what's included.
Only after you've reviewed and agreed on the terms and are ready to sign the tenancy agreement.
Never pay a deposit before receiving a written agreement with a real address on it. If anyone asks for money before any documentation, treat that as a red flag and walk away.
The listed price is the monthly rent. Some landlords charge additional fees — such as admin fees or other charges — on top of the base rent. WelcomeStay aims to list all applicable fees upfront so there are no surprises.
Always confirm the full cost breakdown with us before signing anything.
It depends on the landlord — WelcomeStay has no say in the rent. That said, we can pass your request on to the landlord on your behalf.
There's no guarantee of flexibility, but your best chance is if you're committing to a longer lease or can move in quickly.
We offer personal housemate matching for solo arrivals and group bookings, a paid twice-monthly cleaning service, paid quarterly aircon servicing, and end-of-lease cleaning.
Tell us your preferences — study schedule, sleep habits, gender preference, whether you want to live with students from your home country or prefer a mixed household. We match you with compatible housemates in the same unit.
If you're coming with a group of friends, even better — we find a whole unit that fits your group size.
Fill in our interest form to get started: https://www.welcomestay.com.sg/en/interest
Our standard cleaning service covers twice-monthly basic cleaning — floors, surfaces, bathrooms, and common areas. This fulfils the cleaning obligation most tenancy agreements require, so you don't have to hunt for vendors yourself.
Contact us for current pricing. Refer to our maintenance agreement for full details.
We arrange quarterly aircon servicing, which is a standard requirement under most Singapore tenancy agreements. A technician visits every three months to clean the filters, check the system, and prevent breakdowns — you don't have to coordinate anything.
Contact us for current pricing. Refer to our service agreement for full details.
No — they're optional add-ons. But they're worth considering: most leases require cleaning and aircon maintenance as tenant obligations, and arranging your own vendors in a new country is a hassle. Our services are pre-arranged and affordable.
Yes, and it's one of the things we do well. If you're arriving with 2, 3, or 4 friends, tell us your group size and preferences — we'll find a whole unit that fits and make sure the lease works for everyone. You choose who you live with from day one.
Start 6 to 8 weeks before your intended move-in date. Good rooms go fast, especially before the August and January intakes.
Starting early means more choice, less pressure, and better rates — rooms listed closer to intake dates often cost more.
For independently sourced rentals, a live in-person viewing is strongly recommended — it's the most reliable way to verify a property is legitimate.
For properties listed through WelcomeStay, we are invited by NTU to help students source accommodation and have already done that layer of verification on your behalf, so many students book remotely with confidence.
That said, if you'd still prefer a viewing, let us know and we'll check whether the co-living provider can accommodate a Zoom walkthrough — note that live in-person viewings may not always be possible if a room is currently occupied.
Bring your student pass or ICA approval letter, your passport, a copy of the signed tenancy agreement, and payment for the deposit in the agreed method.
Photograph every room thoroughly before unpacking — those photos protect you if there's a dispute at the end of your tenancy.
Yes — your lease starts from your move-in date, not your course start date. Just let us know your intended move-in date when you enquire and we'll work from there.
Laundry service is not typically provided. Most properties come equipped with a washing machine, so you'll be doing your own laundry — just like any rental home.
It depends on the type of rental. For whole-unit rentals, there are generally no cooking restrictions.
For room rentals in shared units, cooking is often limited to light cooking — heavy frying or strong-smelling food may not be permitted. Always check your tenancy agreement for the specific house rules.
Visitor policies vary by landlord. For whole-unit rentals, visitors are generally welcome. For shared unit rentals, some landlords set rules around visiting hours or overnight guests.
Always check your tenancy agreement so you know what's expected.
Unfortunately, no — only occupants registered on the tenancy agreement are permitted to reside at the property overnight. This is a standard requirement across most rental arrangements in Singapore.
When parents visit, we'd encourage them to explore nearby hotels or serviced apartments for a comfortable stay close to you.
For utilities-inclusive listings, there are generally no set restrictions on aircon use. That said, higher usage means higher electricity bills — and most units have a utility cap for the whole unit. Once the combined usage exceeds that cap, the excess is split equally among all existing tenants.
Check the listing details and your tenancy agreement for the specific cap amount and how excess is handled.
No. WelcomeStay is a digital marketing and technology platform. We are not a real estate or property agent and do not conduct estate agency work.
We connect students to vetted landlords — the tenancy agreement is directly between you and the property owner.
We do not prepare, review, or sign tenancy agreements on your behalf. That is between you and the landlord.
Read any agreement carefully before signing — pay attention to notice periods, deposit conditions, and who is responsible for maintenance. If anything is unclear, ask before you commit.
The biggest ones to watch for: a request to pay the full year's rent upfront before moving in; verbal agreements only with no written contract; cash-only payments with no receipts; requests to sign documents on behalf of other people; a landlord who refuses to stamp the tenancy agreement; and any request to pay rent or a deposit to an agent rather than directly to the property owner.
If something feels off, it probably is — walk away.
WelcomeStay is not a party to the tenancy and cannot mediate disputes. If there is a serious issue, you can contact HDB for HDB-related complaints, or approach the Small Claims Tribunal for rental disputes in Singapore.
Every property on WelcomeStay is from a landlord partner we work with directly — there's no self-listing. You won't encounter random strangers posting here.
That said, one golden rule applies everywhere: never transfer any money before signing a tenancy agreement that has a real physical address on it.
This depends entirely on the terms of your tenancy agreement — which is exactly why you should read it carefully before you sign.
Most Singapore tenancies commit you for the full term, and your agreement will set out what happens if you leave early. Common arrangements are finding a replacement tenant for the landlord to approve, so the room isn't left empty, or forfeiting your security deposit to compensate the property owner.
Some leases also include a specific early-termination or 'diplomatic' clause — check whether yours does.
WelcomeStay is not a party to your tenancy and cannot change its terms, but speak to us as early as possible — giving plenty of notice gives you the best chance of a fair, amicable outcome.
You don't need a student pass to search or make an enquiry. You will typically need to show your ICA approval letter or student pass at move-in as proof of enrolment in a Singapore university.
No — student pass applications go through ICA's SOLAR system via your university's international student office. WelcomeStay is an accommodation platform, not an immigration service. Your university is the right place to ask.
An ICA approval letter or your university's acceptance letter is typically accepted as proof while your student pass is being processed. Confirm this with us directly before committing.
Yes — ICA requires you to register a residential address in Singapore. Once you've confirmed your room and signed a tenancy agreement, update your residential address with ICA through the SOLAR system promptly.
Most tenancy agreements make cleaning and aircon maintenance the tenant's responsibility.
WelcomeStay's cleaning and aircon services are specifically designed for this — we arrange everything so you don't have to find vendors yourself. If you prefer to organise your own, that's fine too.
Contact WelcomeStay and we will liaise with the landlord on your behalf.
Your tenancy agreement stipulates what maintenance the landlord is responsible for — some agreements cover all repairs, others only cover major issues (typically above $200). Check your TA first so you know what's covered.
Keep records of all maintenance requests in writing.
For urgent issues — water leaks, electrical faults, no hot water — put your request in writing immediately.
If the landlord remains unresponsive, for HDB properties you can contact HDB directly. For serious disputes, the Small Claims Tribunal handles rental matters in Singapore.
Normal wear and tear is generally the landlord's responsibility. Damage beyond normal use is typically deducted from your deposit at the end of your tenancy.
Photograph the room thoroughly on move-in day and keep those photos — they protect you if there's a dispute later.
Still have questions?
Send us a message and we'll get back to you in English or Chinese.