Have you been following the saga of the black and white houses on Ridout Road? In short, Ministers K. Shanmugam and Vivian Balakrishnan were recently investigated after they rented two black and white bungalows on Ridout Road.
This investigation began after opposition Reform Party leader Kenneth Jeyaretnam raised questions in a series of articles about whether ministers were paying “less than market value” for their rental properties on Ridout Road.
Since then, K. Shanmugam and Vivian Balakrishnan have been cleared of any corrupt or criminal conduct by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB). Politics aside, are you curious why black and white houses appeal to even our top politicians? Read on to find out our analysis of this unique property type.
Watch our video on black and white houses in Singapore
Black and white houses in Singapore: Overview
Black and white houses in Singapore (also called colonial houses) have a long, colorful history. They were built from the 19th century to the late 1930s and mostly housed European colonial and expatriate families.
If you happen to take a stroll through the UNESCO Singapore Botanic Gardens, you’ve probably noticed the Atbara House, located on a hill along Gallop Road. Built in 1898, the building paved the way for this style of architecture in Singapore. Although its colors are black and white, it’s not technically a black and white house in Singapore, but a very “close relative.”
Regardless, the Atbara House and the Black and White Houses look amazing. You may be wondering how great it would be to live in a historic colonial home like this one. Well, spoiler alert: you can.
What is a black and white house in Singapore?
As you can probably guess, the colonial house owes its name to the monotonous colors of the dark wooden beams and whitewashed walls.
Built and designed by the British in the 19th century, they were once the homes of high-ranking government officials, Supreme Court judges and wealthy businessmen. Black and white houses were also used as military administration offices and boarding schools for children of British soldiers.
The colonial house’s architecture is based on the Tudorbethan style and also adopted features of Malay kampong houses, such as high ceilings and stilts for ventilation (remember, there was no air conditioning back then). Some black and white houses in Singapore are also elevated to prevent termite infestation and flash floods.
Today, there are about 500 of these black-and-white houses left in places like Seletar. They are managed and maintained by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) and are mostly government-owned. While most of the black-and-white houses are rented out for commercial purposes (e.g. restaurants and shops), some are reserved for residential use.
To preserve the heritage of these colonial houses, owners are not allowed to change the appearance of their black and white rental houses.
Why are black and white bungalows so popular in Singapore?
As you might have guessed, black and white homes are in high demand due to their limited supply and unique colonial-style architecture. After all, not everyone can claim to live in a historic home with a rich heritage.
Apart from their design and attractiveness, they are also large and spacious, even when compared to Good Class Bungalows (GCBs). Some colonial houses are larger than 465 m² and have a plot area of over 2,950 m².
They are usually two-storey and feature airy spaces, large halls, big verandas, large windows and lush gardens. Some of the black and white SLA houses for rent also have a swimming pool.
Often times these homes are snapped up as soon as they hit the market, so if you’re looking for one, you better hurry!
Where can you find black and white bungalows in Singapore?
Many of these colonial houses are found in Sembawang and Seletar, but they can also be found in other areas of Singapore. Here are some of their most popular locations:
|
Location |
Where to find black and white colonial houses |
|
Central |
Goodwood Hill, Dempsey Hill, Ridley Park, Adam Park, Chancery Lane, Barker Road |
|
west |
Wessex Estate, Rochester Park, Nepal Hill, Mount Pleasant, Fifth Avenue |
|
north |
Sembawang Park, Seletar Camp, Cyprus Road, |
|
south |
Mount Faber, Alexandra Park, Gillman Barracks |
|
East |
Changi Road |
Can you buy a black and white bungalow in Singapore?
You can’t buy a black and white house in Singapore, but you can apply to rent one with SLA. Rentals are done through an open tender system where houses are rented out for two years. Prices are also based on demand and will probably cost a fortune!
SLA Black and White Houses for Rent
Still interested? Here’s how to apply to rent a black and white house in Singapore with SLA:
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Visit the SLA website and view the available offers
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Contact the Management Agent
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Send your application and submit the required documents
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Wait for the result
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Sign the rental agreement and pay the deposit and stamp duties
Step 1: Visit the SLA site and view the available offers
SLA provides available black and white houses for rent in Singapore on its website. Just select the houses you like.
Step 2: Contact the Management Agent
Have you found a house you like? Contact the manager (contact details are in the listing) and make an appointment to rent a colonial-style house in Singapore.
Be sure to read the full terms and conditions and check your eligibility before going to the viewing. If you are applying as an individual, your average monthly income must be at least three times the rent offered.
Step 3: Submit your application and submit documents
Prepare the necessary documents to officially submit your offer. Go to the individual offer page and download the application form. Fill in your details and submit it along with the required documents. Now all you have to do is wait for the result.
Step 4: Wait for the result
If you are shortlisted to rent a black and white house, you may be required to attend a tender interview. SLA will evaluate your offer as well as other factors such as your intentions and concepts for the house, your track record and your financial health.
Step 5: Sign the rental agreement and pay the deposit and stamp duty
If successful, you will need to prepare the documents in the approval letter, including signing the lease agreement, paying one month’s rent in advance, a security deposit of three months’ rent, stamp duties and a $200 administration fee.
Alternatively, find bungalows/country houses for rent on PropertyGuru
Do you find black and white houses too expensive? Why not rent a regular plot or bungalow with PropertyGuru instead? They are just as spacious and much more affordable. Discover available houses here.
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