Renting a Home in Singapore (2025)

Whether you’re new to Singapore or moving within the city, the rental process is easier when you know the sequence: shortlist, view, verify, negotiate, sign, and pay stamp duty. This guide walks you through each step and explains the practical differences across HDB, condos, and landed homes — so you can pick the right fit for your budget and daily routine.

Why Hozuko? Most big portals showcase mainly agent listings. Hozuko features direct-landlord listings on top of that, and most of our listings are verified (over 70% at the time of writing). That makes searching for a place far simpler than trawling Facebook or Telegram for genuine owner posts, while keeping room for choice if you prefer working with agents.

1. Know the rules that shape your options

• Minimum stay:

  • Private residential (condos, landed): Minimum lease of 3 consecutive months. Short-term stays under 3 months are not allowed. ^{1 2}
  • HDB flats/bedrooms: Minimum lease of 6 months per application. Short-term stays are not allowed. ^{3 4}

• Occupancy caps (who can live together):

  • Private residential: Standard cap is up to 6 unrelated persons. There is a temporary relaxation up to 8 persons for larger private homes (≥ 90 sqm) from 22 Jan 2024 to 31 Dec 2026, with prior registration and a small fee. ^{1 5}
  • HDB: HDB sets its own tenant and occupancy limits when renting out flats/rooms; check the latest HDB page for your flat type. ^{3 4}

These baseline rules help you decide what’s feasible for your household size and intended lease length.

2. Where to search (and how to shortlist smarter)

• Start with verified, direct-landlord listings on Hozuko. You’ll see owner-posted units alongside agent listings, with a high verification rate to cut down on guesswork.
• If you prefer a wider scan, you can still browse agent-listed properties, but aim to shortlist 5–8 realistic options that match your commute, budget, and move-in date.
• Avoid scattered DM-style searching. Crowdsourced spaces like Facebook/Telegram can be useful, but they’re time-consuming to verify and can bury good listings under noise.

Filters that save you time: commute line/station, move-in window, household size, air-con in bedrooms, inclusive vs exclusive of utilities, cooking allowance, and visitors policy.

3. Viewings: what to check in 20–30 minutes

• Basics that add up daily: airflow, road noise, floor level, lift access, bathroom count vs occupants, water pressure, and whether windows face afternoon sun.
• Condition: look for mold/patches, window seals, and bathroom grout. Run each tap and the shower. Turn on all AC units and check the remote, temperature drop, and any errors.
• Appliances and fixtures: fridge seal, washer cycle, hob ignition, water heater mode, curtains/blinds, door locks and keys.
• House rules (especially for flat-shares): guests, light cooking vs heavy cooking, laundry hours, quiet hours, parcel handling.
• Photos and videos: take a quick inventory video; it’s a simple way to avoid “he-said she-said” later.

4. How HDB vs Condo vs Landed differ in practice

Tip: If you’re a group of unrelated tenants in a larger private property, confirm whether the place qualifies for the temporary 8-person registration, and ask the landlord for the URA registration acknowledgement. ⁵

5. Due diligence before you say “yes”

• Identity & authority: confirm you’re dealing with the rightful owner or an appointed representative.
• For HDB flats: owners must meet HDB requirements and follow registration rules when renting out a whole flat or bedrooms. Ask for proof that they are eligible to rent out. ^{3 4}
• For private properties: minimum stay of 3 months applies. If your group size is large, ask about URA registration (where applicable) for the temporary 8-person cap. ^{1 5}
• Inventory list: get a dated inventory with condition notes and photos attached to the Tenancy Agreement (TA).
• Utilities & Wi-Fi: clarify who sets up and pays, how bills are split, and whether there’s a monthly cap.

6. Offer, LOI, and negotiation

• Price and terms: propose rent, start date, lease length, diplomatic/early break options, and any inclusions (furnishings, minor repairs cap).
• Security deposit: typically 1 month per 12 months of lease is common; align on handover condition and cleaning expectations.
• Fair use/repairs: many TAs include a tenant-borne minor-repairs threshold (for wear-and-tear items). Make sure it’s reasonable and that landlord handles structural/major systems.

7. Tenancy Agreement and stamp duty

• What to check in the TA: full names and IDs, property address, lease term, rent and payment schedule, interest on late payment, deposit amount and return timeline, inventory schedule, maintenance/repairs responsibilities, access notice for viewings, renewal/termination terms, and any house rules annex.
• Stamp duty: tenants typically pay stamp duty on residential leases, computed at 0.4% of total rent for leases of 4 years or less (or 0.4% of 4 × AAR if longer). Duty is rounded down to the nearest dollar, subject to a small minimum. ⁶
• When to pay: stamp duty must be paid after the agreement is executed and within the timeline set by IRAS (e.g., within 14 days of signing in Singapore). Check IRAS for payment modes and deadlines. ⁶

8. Handover day

• Walk through with the inventory list, test keys and access cards, record meter readings, and take date-stamped photos of each room, fixtures, and any pre-existing blemishes.
• Share a simple issues log (e.g., bulb out in study; wardrobe hinge loose) and agree on a fix-by date in writing.

9. Why many renters start on Hozuko

Hozuko speeds up the serious part of your search. You’ll see verified listings from direct landlords alongside agents, making it easier to get straight answers on availability, house rules, and move-in dates. Shortlist a few, book viewings, and use the checklist above to compare like for like.

Browse HDB on Hozuko

Browse condos on Hozuko

Browse landed houses on Hozuko

References