7 Rookie Mistakes Landlords Make & How to Avoid Them
Property investment has been a hot topic for many years. Being a landlord, enga and renting it out to generate passive income, does sound like a perfect dream.
However, I can truly share that in reality, it is not usually a smooth ride. There are many mistakes that Landlords tend to make in their eagerness to begin their journey and these rookie mistakes can return to bother them.
Therefore, to help Landlords and aspiring Landlords alike, I am happy to steer you towards this useful checklist of 7 common mistakes that Landlords tend to make.
So that you can navigate through difficult hurdles and also avoid the unnecessary returning problems in the process.
Table of Contents
1) Furnishing The House Before Getting A Tenant
This is a classic example of over-committing. I would typically suggest that Landlords avoid furnishing their house ahead of securing a Tenant.
Reason being that we do not know the requirements of the potential Tenants.
Some Tenants may prefer to bring along their furniture pieces and this will in-turn create storage problems for the Landlords.
A good guideline to discuss furnishings would be upon the submission of Letter of Intent and Security Deposit.
This is where the Tenants will indicate their requests and Landlords do not end up spending unnecessarily.
2) Forgetting To Verify Tenant Profile
We may like to think that people are not usually deceivers but verifying your Tenants’ profile in such cases is incredibly important.
Do run through basic checks to ensure your Tenants have valid documents (e.g. work permit or student pass) to support their stay in Singapore.
You can download the SG WORK PASS application to your mobile and perform a QR code scan to verify Tenants information. You can also validate Student pass via ICA website.
HDB owners can check Tenants eligibility thru HDB website
Do spend some time and effort to check before any confirmation on the agreement of the lease.
3) Not Clarifying Clauses In The Tenancy Agreement
Tenancy Agreement, like any other legal documents, can be overwhelming. But Landlords should not let these legal jargons get the better of them. Clarify, clarify and clarify more.
Should there be any doubts about any clauses or terms in the Tenancy Agreement, do raise this with your Property Agent and/or Tenants to seek clarity and consensus on such details.
Common clauses that may lead to future disputes includes, minor repair clauses (indicating costs to be borne by specific parties and the extent of coverage), sale with tenancy clauses and even with on-going maintenance clauses.
Our take? Never pen your signature if you do not fully understand nor fully agree with the entire Tenancy Agreement.
Always keep a copy for future references in case of any disputes.
4) Expecting The Agent To Manage The Whole Tenancy
Expectations: Many Landlords tend to have the impression that the Property Agent will help to manage the tenancies on their behalf, throughout the entire tenancy period.
Reality: The main role and responsibility of a Property Agent, is to source and secure a tenant for you.
Their services end upon the handover of Property to the Tenant. Please refer to CEA website for further clarification
A management fee is naturally required should there be any additional services during the tenancy period.
So if you are a Landlord or aspiring Landlord-to-be, do understand your obligations to manage your tenant after the deal is sealed.
Any additional services that goes beyond and after handing over of the Property, are goodwill gestures and goodwill services by the Property Agent.
5) Ensuring Stamp Duty Is Paid
This may be a simple legal compliance to the Singapore’s law but many tend to overlook this little detail in the process.
I would like to highlight to all existing and new Landlords that it is an offense to use a Tenancy Agreement that is un-stamped, stamped late or insufficiently stamped.
While this is the duty of the Tenant to ensure stamp duty is paid, it is beneficial for the Landlord if you can take on this extra task of sending reminders so that both parties are in compliance.
Want to verify if the stamp duty is paid? Simply do a quick check on IRAS website.
6) Lack Of A Proper Handover
I cannot emphasize further the importance of a proper handover.
To prevent future disputes and your words against my words, it is absolutely critical that the existing conditions of the Property and a detailed inventory list are adequately documented.
Walk through the documentations with your Tenants and help them understand your expectations and their obligations on the Property throughout the tenancy period and upon ending of the lease.
Do include quality photos in your documentation for both parties to acknowledge.
This agreement is binding and will help to avoid unnecessary disagreements at the end of the lease term.
7) Not Engaging A Property Agent
Some Landlords prefer to DIY and deal directly with Tenants and/or other Property Agents representing the Tenants.
Then again, do consider carefully as you appreciate the pointers above and many Landlords fall into such situations from the lack of time, experiences and understandings of the delicate tenancy process.
Engaging a professional Property Agent will help existing and new Landlords to leap over common landmines and advance into a fuss-free process.
Be a savvy landlord in 2020!
Rental psf has seen some increase for the past 2 years. Landlords will have plenty to look forward to 2020!
If you’re embarking on your dream towards becoming a Landlord, do keep in mind these simple checks that can safeguard you from a period of grievances ahead, so skip these steps at your own risk.
For any questions about leasing your property, feel free to contact Youhome.sg at [9369 4797] to learn more.
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Self Introduction
Hi, I’m Rick Long
With decades of experience in Singapore’s real estate market, I’ve had the privilege of being mentioned in media outlets such as Channel NewsAsia, The Straits Times, and 99.co.
Over the years, I’ve written extensively on the local property landscape — tackling the real questions buyers and sellers face, and helping them navigate each step with greater clarity and confidence.
Many of my clients have become long-time friends — their trust and kind reviews continue to inspire me to raise the bar in everything I do.
I believe real estate should be strategic, seamless, and deeply aligned with your life’s journey.
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