Couples’ Rental Playbook: Master Room, Studio, 1BR or 2BR?

Moving in together is exciting. It also forces clear decisions: How much privacy do you need? How often will you cook? Will guests visit? What kind of rules are you comfortable with? In Singapore, the four most common options for couples are a master room, studio, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom. Each one optimises something different — privacy, space, or budget. This guide lays out the lived trade-offs so you can pick with eyes open.

Quick legal anchors (so you don’t get tripped up later):

• Private residential stays must be at least 3 months.^{1 2}
• HDB room and whole-flat rentals must be at least 6 months per tenant.^{3 4}
• Condos are governed by MCST by-laws that can limit renovations, pets, storage in common areas, and usage of facilities — ask for the by-laws early.^{5 6}
• There is a temporary relaxation of occupancy caps for larger homes from 22 Jan 2024 to 31 Dec 2026, useful context if you’re house-sharing.^{7 8}

The at-a-glance comparison (options as columns)

Community sentiment mirrors this table: couples often avoid common-bathroom rooms due to queues and shared cleaning, and lean towards master rooms or studios as entry points; 1BR and 2BR suit those who cook more, WFH, or host regularly.^{9 10 11}

How to decide in five practical questions

1. How much do you cook?
   If you cook most weekdays, a studio’s open layout can make odours and heat linger. A 1BR or 2BR with better ventilation and separation will feel calmer at dinner time. If you’re mostly reheating or eating out, a studio or master room works.

2. Do either of you WFH?
   If yes, prioritise a door that separates work and rest. A 1BR gives you a living-room desk without turning the bed into an office. A 2BR gives you a true study. In a studio, a folding screen and noise etiquette help, but it is still one airspace.

3. What’s your tolerance for shared rules?
   Master rooms trade price for coordination: bathroom schedules, quiet hours, AC timing, kitchen cleanliness, and who buys basics (oil, salt, garbage bags). If that kind of negotiation drains you, move towards a studio or 1BR.

4. How much storage do you need?
   Suitcases, sports gear, and extra bedding swell quickly in small homes. Studios rarely have external storage. 1BR and 2BR flex rooms are where clutter goes to disappear.

5. Will you host family or friends?
   If parents or overseas friends stay occasionally, a 2BR saves you sofa-bed compromises. In a studio, overnight guests turn the whole home into a bedroom.

Cost drivers couples underestimate

• Utilities behaviour: Two people mean more hot showers, laundry, and AC hours. In shared flats, clarify how utilities are split. Some houses split evenly per person; heavy AC users can feel subsidised or subsidising. Put it in writing.
• MCST by-laws: Strata estates can set rules about renovations, balcony use, bicycle storage, and pet permissions. Ask the landlord or agent for the by-laws upfront.^{5 6}
• Cleaning cadence: A studio or 1BR is quicker to clean, but clutter accumulates. In a master room, common-area cleanliness depends on everyone’s standards.
• WFH acoustics: In one-space homes, sound and cooking collide with video calls. A simple rug and soft furnishings reduce echo; consider a headset as part of “rent”.

Which option fits which couple?

• Master room: You value location and savings, are out most evenings, and don’t mind negotiating shared norms. Great for a “test year” living together.
• Studio: You’re tidy, travel light, and want full privacy at an attainable price. Plan smart storage and accept that the bed is near the sofa.
• 1BR: You want a door between life and sleep, cook a few times a week, and one of you sometimes WFHs. Sweet spot for comfort vs cost.
• 2BR: You both WFH or host family, need a true workspace, or expect life changes (pet, baby, long-stay guests). Highest comfort, highest monthly outlay.

References