Renting a Room in Singapore (2025): From Searching to Signing

Renting a room in Singapore can be simple when you know the steps. This guide walks you through the process end to end: how to search and shortlist, what to check at viewings, and how to sign a clean Tenancy Agreement (TA) with the right compliance checks.

1. Know the rules that affect room rentals

Singapore has different minimum stay rules depending on property type:

• HDB rooms/flats: Minimum stay is 6 months. HDB owners must meet eligibility and register the rental; all occupants must be declared. ^{1 2}
• Private homes (condo/landed): Minimum stay is 3 consecutive months; daily/weekly stays are not allowed. ^{3 4}

Occupancy caps also matter. Most homes are capped at 6 unrelated persons. There is a temporary relaxation to allow up to 8 persons in larger homes (≥ 90 sqm) from 22 Jan 2024 to 31 Dec 2026 — owners must register to qualify. ^{5 6}

Why this matters for you: If the arrangement doesn’t fit these rules, you risk an illegal sublet. Always ask the owner to confirm their eligibility and registration status (HDB) or that the stay meets URA rules (private).

2. Where to find rooms (and how to shortlist fast)

On Hozuko, you get listings from trusted agents as well as directly from landlords. Verified listings and profile transparency make shortlisting faster. Filter by budget and location, then save 5–8 options that are:

• Within your all-in budget (see cost table below)
• Within a reasonable commute
• Clear about house rules (cooking, visitors, air-con use, quiet hours)

3. Budgeting: know your “all-in” number

4. Arrange viewings the smart way

Aim to see at least 2–3 places on the same day so comparisons are fresh. Renters commonly stress: look at bathroom cleanliness, kitchen ventilation, noise, and how housemates interact. Ask about visitor policies, overnight guests, and cleaning routines.

Viewing checklist (quick scan):

1. Room condition: Natural light, storage, wall damp, window/seal condition.
2. Bathroom: Water pressure, heater stability, drainage, ventilation.
3. Air-con: Age, noise, last service date.
4. Noise: Road, lift lobby, neighbour, and internal noise after 10 pm.
5. Kitchen: Hob type, extractor, fridge shelf space, microwave/oven use.
6. Laundry: Washer/dryer schedule; drying area.
7. Rules: Cooking, guests, quiet hours, cleaning schedule, shared items.
8. Security: Unit entry (digital vs key), lock for your room, visitor policy.

5. Due diligence before you commit

• Who is the landlord? Confirm the owner’s name matches the person signing. For HDB bedrooms, the owner must be eligible and must register subletting and declare you as an occupant; ask for confirmation. ^{1 8}
• Minimum stay compliance: Confirm 6 months (HDB) or ≥ 3 months (private). ^{1 3}
• Occupancy cap: If the household is large, check whether it’s within 6 — or within 8 under the temporary relaxation (and registered if required). ⁵
• Scam guardrails: Avoid paying sizeable amounts before seeing the place and verifying the owner. Government reminders often highlight the legal minimum stays and the need for approvals. ⁹

6. Making an offer (and deposits)

When you like a place, send a simple written offer stating: start date, rent, deposit, utilities split, furnished items, and any conditions (e.g., minor repairs before move-in). If asked for a small holding sum, make it receipted, time-bound, and refundable if the landlord withdraws or fails to meet stated conditions. Avoid large transfers before a TA is ready.

7. The Tenancy Agreement (TA): clauses to read line by line

At minimum, check:

• Parties & address: Your full name and the correct property address/room.
• Term & break: Start/end dates; any break clause (not automatic — negotiate if you need flexibility).
• Rent & payments: Due date, mode, late charges, utilities split, air-con servicing terms.
• House rules: Visitors, cooking, quiet hours, cleaning schedule, shared items.
• Repairs: Who pays for wear-and-tear vs tenant-caused damage; approval process.
• Inventory: List every item and its condition; take photos at handover.
• Compliance statement: Where relevant, confirmation that HDB registration (for bedrooms) or URA minimum stay applies and will be complied with. ^{1 3}

Stamp duty: After signing, you must pay stamp duty to IRAS (calculated on total rent over the lease). This applies even if the agreement was formed electronically. ⁷

8. Handover day

• Walk through with the inventory list.
• Photograph meter readings, keys/cards, and every included item.
• Note any pre-existing scuffs in writing.
• Exchange a signed copy of the TA and receipt for the deposit.
• Confirm Wi-Fi login and trash/recycling routines.

9. Living well with housemates

A little structure goes a long way: set a shared cleaning plan, agree on guest etiquette, and keep an expenses log for shared items. Proactive communication is the biggest predictor of a peaceful flat.

Why use Hozuko for room hunting?

Hozuko is built for intentional search and quick shortlisting. Filter by essentials (budget, location, house rules), view verified listings with clearer expectations, and line up viewings in a single session. If you’re ready to start, shortlist a few rooms today and set up viewings this week.

Browse rooms on Hozuko

References