How to Rent Out a Room in Singapore

Renting out a spare room is a practical way to offset mortgage or living costs. Done right, it’s low drama and steady income. This guide covers the must-know rules in Singapore, simple compliance steps, and how to create an attractive listing on Hozuko that renters actually respond to.

Why do it

• Extra income. A room can meaningfully reduce monthly outlay.
• Flexible commitment. You keep living in your home while renting just the room.
• Control. You set house rules that fit the way your household lives.

1. Know the rules (HDB vs private properties)

Minimum stay

• HDB bedrooms: Minimum 6 months per tenant. No short stays. ¹
• Private residential: Minimum 3 months for residential stays. Stays under 3 months count as short-term accommodation and are not allowed. ^{2 3}

Who can rent

• Tenants must be legally allowed to stay in Singapore (e.g., Citizens, PRs, or foreigners with valid passes such as Employment Pass, S Pass, Student Pass, Long-Term Visit Pass). Tourists are not allowed as tenants for HDB flats/rooms. ⁴

Occupancy caps (avoid overcrowding)

• Authorities may allow up to 8 unrelated persons for certain private residential rentals under a temporary relaxation (in place as of Dec 2023; subject to conditions and end date). Always check the latest and keep within your condo/estate by-laws. ⁵

HDB specifics to note

• Register your rented bedrooms with HDB and update any changes within 7 days (e.g., tenant moves in/out, passport/pass status changes). ⁶
• The Non-Citizen (NC) Quota does not apply to renting out bedrooms (it applies to whole-flat rental). ⁷

2. Price it right

Look at 5–10 similar rooms near your block/condo, with similar furnishing and bathroom access, then price within the band. Decide if you will include wifi or cap utilities to keep monthly costs predictable. If you want faster occupancy, price slightly below mid-band and be first to respond.

3. Create a listing renters trust (and want)

What to show

• Price clarity. State base rent and how utilities are shared (e.g., “Utilities split by headcount, about $XX–$YY/month per person”).
• What’s included. Wifi, air-con, wardrobe, desk, weekly cleaning (if any), access to kitchen, and any caps (e.g., light cooking).
• Photos that tell the truth. Bright, horizontal photos; show the bedroom, storage, work corner, bathroom, and common areas.
• Exact location cues. State walk time to MRT, bus lines, nearby groceries and food.
• House rules in plain words. One short bullet line per rule is enough.
• Availability date & minimum stay. Avoid back-and-forth.

4. List on Hozuko (how to stand out)

1. Sign up and list your room.
2. Upload honest photos and use the copy template above.
3. Verify your identity (recommended). Verified listings earn more trust and typically get better visibility.
4. Respond fast. Aim for under 30 minutes during waking hours — fast replies convert.
5. Keep chats on-platform. It protects both sides and helps flag risky behaviour.

5. Screening (fit & verification)

• Verify identity & pass validity. Ask for NRIC (Citizens/PRs) or FIN and pass details (foreigners). For HDB, confirm they are not tourists and are eligible. ⁴
• Lifestyle fit. Align on cooking, laundry frequency, guests, quiet hours, and cleanliness.
• Utilities split. Keep it simple. Many households split by headcount; some use pro-rata by room air-con usage or sub-meters if available. Pick one method and write it in the TA.
• Safety & privacy. Provide lockable bedroom door. Keep common areas clutter-free. Don’t keep or share copies of sensitive personal data you don’t need.

6. Paperwork and payments (keep it clean and simple)

Tenancy Agreement (TA)

• Use a clear TA that states: monthly rent, deposit, utilities sharing, wifi, air-con servicing (if any), access (kitchen/living), visitors, cleaning, and notice/early termination terms.
  • Standard TA templates from CEA
• Attach an inventory & condition list (photos help). Do a move-in walkthrough and both parties sign off.

Stamp duty (IRAS)

• Stamp duty is payable on the TA. For residential leases 4 years or less, the current rate is 0.4% of total rent for the lease period (duty is rounded down, minimum $1). ⁸
• If you e-Stamp the TA, IRAS is automatically notified of the rental; you generally don’t need a separate notice for property-tax purposes. ⁹

Deposits & payments

• Typical deposit is 1 month’s rent per year of lease (e.g., 6-month lease often uses half-month deposit). Collect the first month’s rent before key handover. Use bank transfer for a record.

At-a-glance: Must-dos vs Nice-to-haves

References