Co-living in Singapore: origins, momentum, outlook

Co-living didn’t appear overnight. In Singapore, it took shape in the mid-to-late 2010s as startups packaged private rooms with furniture, simple contracts, and house rules. Early players included Hmlet (founded 2016, later merged into Habyt in 2022) and institutional brands like Ascott’s lyf Funan in 2019, which signalled that co-living was moving into the mainstream.^{1 2}

A quick timeline of co-living’s rise

• 2016–2018: Startup wave. Hmlet scales across the island; Cove launches in 2018 and grows a tech-enabled room-rental model.^{3 4}
• 2017–2019: Policy clarity. URA lowers the minimum stay to 3 months for private homes in 2017 and keeps it in place in 2019, drawing a clear line against nightly “home-sharing.”^{5 6}
• 2019: Institutional entrance. Ascott opens lyf Funan Singapore, billed then as Southeast Asia’s largest co-living site.^{2 7}
• 2022–2025: Consolidation and scale. Hmlet merges into Habyt; Habyt later acquires U.S. operator Common and raises a Series C; lyf continues expanding globally. The segment matures with more professional operators and clearer offerings.^{1 8 9 10}

Across the market, room inventory expanded about 17% from 2023 to 2024, while occupancies held broadly in the 85–95% range. ¹¹

What living in co-living is actually like

From local discussions and renter anecdotes, common pros include quick move-in, furnished rooms, flexible terms, bundled bills, and a ready community. Recurring cons include premium pricing vs a typical landlord-stayed room, variable Wi-Fi by unit, housemate fit, and the usual shared-space friction.^{12 13 14}

Co-living vs other common options

When co-living makes the most sense

• You’re new to Singapore and and prefer plug-and-play living with furniture, Wi-Fi, and clear house rules.
• You value community and don’t mind sharing kitchens or lounges
• You want lease flexibility (for example 3–6–12 months) and simple billing

When to consider alternatives

• You’re very price-sensitive and want the cheapest private-room option (often staying with a landlord)
• You want full control and can manage utilities, chores, and the lease (flat-share or solo)
• You need absolute privacy (solo studio/1-BR)

Practical checks before you decide

1. Lease length. In private homes, the minimum stay is 3 months. Anything shorter should trigger a red flag unless it’s a licensed property type.⁵
2. Inclusions. Clarify cleaning frequency, utility caps, replacement policies, and Wi-Fi standards. Many frustrations start here.^{12 13}
3. Housemate mix. Ask operators about screening and matching. If you’re noise-sensitive or WFH, say so.
4. House rules. Quiet hours, guests, and shared-space etiquette matter more than you think.
5. Support & response. Who fixes what, how fast, and how do you escalate? Managed operators should have clear tickets and response times.

Bottom line

Co-living in Singapore has progressed from a niche startup idea to a professional segment with institutional backing. With stable rules and active enforcement around short-term stays, plus growing operator maturity, it’s likely to remain part of the rental landscape. If you want convenience, flexibility, and community, co-living is a strong start. If budget, control, or privacy top your list, staying with a landlord, a well-chosen flat-share, or a solo studio/1-BR may fit better.

References