Student Resource
Common Questions, Honest Answers.
Everything you need to know before you search, enquire, or book.
General
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, with no agent fees.
Our listings are in neighbourhoods convenient to NTU — Boon Lay, Jurong West, Jurong East, Choa Chu Kang, Pioneer, and surrounding areas.
Yes — there's no agent fee, and no charge to browse, enquire, or register your interest. The rent you see is what you pay, and WelcomeStay does not charge students any rental admin fee (at least for now). Hosts pay platform fees to access our student community. The only things we charge for are optional: add-on services like 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 — the Host responds directly. You can then ask questions, arrange a viewing, agree on terms, sign the tenancy agreement, and pay the deposit directly to the Host. 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.
WelcomeStay Services
Quite a lot. We offer personal housemate matching for solo arrivals and group bookings, a twice-monthly cleaning service, quarterly aircon maintenance, and end-of-lease cleaning. We also run active WhatsApp and WeChat student communities so you're connected before you even land.
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.
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.
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 — we handle the scheduling. Contact us for current pricing.
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.
Payments & Costs
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). There are no fees from WelcomeStay. Some Hosts may charge a small admin fee; if so, it will be stated clearly before you commit.
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 your Host what the tenancy requires.
No. You pay the Host directly — WelcomeStay does not process or hold rental payments. We're a platform that connects you to verified Hosts; the financial relationship is entirely between you and the Host.
It depends on the listing. Many co-living rooms and some HDB rooms include water, electricity, and WiFi. Others charge separately. Check the listing details — we mark included utilities clearly where the Host has confirmed them. If it's not shown, ask the Host before you commit.
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 a Host asks for money before any documentation, treat that as a red flag and walk away.
Moving In
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.
Viewings are arranged directly between you and the Host — WelcomeStay does not schedule viewings on anyone's behalf. When you send an enquiry, ask the Host about viewing arrangements. Request a live video walkthrough if an in-person visit isn't possible before you arrive.
Bring your student pass or ICA approval letter, your passport, a copy of the signed tenancy agreement, and payment for the deposit in the method the Host specified. Photograph every room thoroughly before unpacking — those photos protect you if there's a dispute at the end of your tenancy.
Some Hosts allow early move-in — ask when you enquire. Any early check-in arrangement and any additional cost must be confirmed in writing before you commit. Never assume it's included.
Legal & Rights
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 Hosts — the tenancy agreement is directly between you and the Host.
We do not prepare, review, or sign tenancy agreements on your behalf. That is between you and the Host. Read any agreement carefully before signing — pay attention to notice periods, deposit conditions, and who is responsible for maintenance. If anything is unclear, ask the Host to explain before you commit.
The biggest ones: 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 Host who refuses to stamp the tenancy agreement; and any request to pay rent or a deposit to an agent rather than directly to the landlord. 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 Host on WelcomeStay is a 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 your Host to approve, so the room isn't left empty, or forfeiting your security deposit to compensate the Host. 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 your Host as early as possible — giving plenty of notice gives you the best chance of a fair, amicable outcome.
Visas & Student Passes
You don't need a student pass to search or make an enquiry. Most Hosts will ask to see 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.
Most Hosts will accept an ICA approval letter or your university's acceptance letter as proof while your student pass is being processed. Confirm this with the Host 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.
Maintenance & Issues
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 your Host directly for property repairs. WelcomeStay is not responsible for maintenance at any property — the tenancy is between you and the Host. 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 Host is 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 Host'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.