Finding a place to rent in Singapore can feel like a full-time job. There are HDB flats, condos, landed houses, room rentals, whole units, co-living options... and everyone has a different opinion on what’s “best”.
Let’s simplify this.
This guide walks you through:
- Where to look for apartments in Singapore
- The differences between HDB and condo rentals
- When it actually makes sense to rent a landed house
- How many bedrooms you should get for your household
- How Hozuko fits into your search
Our goal is simple: help you get a home that fits your budget and your daily life, without guesswork.
Where to find apartment rentals in Singapore
Today, most renters start their search online. You’ll see:
- Large property portals with thousands of listings (mainly by property agents)
- Smaller sites with listings directly from landlords
- Sites owned by co-living and serviced apartment operators
On Hozuko, you’ll find:
- Listings from direct landlords, agents, and operators all in one platform
- Apartments across HDB, condo, and landed homes
- Both whole-unit rentals and rooms
- Filters that actually match how you think: by area, MRT, price, bedrooms, and more
Instead of jumping between apps and screenshots, you can shortlist, compare, and enquire in one place. Treat Hozuko as your home base, then use other sources (friends, company chats, neighbourhood groups) to cross-check neighbourhoods and rents.
HDB vs condo – how to decide as a renter
In Singapore, about 80% of residents live in HDB flats, with the rest in private property such as condos and landed homes. As a renter, both HDBs and condos are open options, as long as the landlord has proper approval and follows the rules.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| HDB flat (public housing) | Condo (private apartment) | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical rent | Lower for similar size and location | Higher, often 1.5–3x HDB in similar areas |
| Space | Older flats are often more spacious | Layouts can be more compact |
| Facilities | Basic, shared neighbourhood amenities | Pool, gym, function rooms, security, sometimes playgrounds |
| Minimum rental | At least 6 months for whole flats | At least 3 months for private residences |
| Pets | No cats, only certain small dog breeds allowed in HDB | Rules set by each condo; check by-laws and landlord |
| Vibe | Heartland, more local and community-based | More “enclave” feel, greater privacy and security |
When HDB makes more sense
Choose an HDB rental if:
- You want to keep rent as a smaller slice of your income
- You’re okay without a pool or condo gym
- You like being near hawker centres, neighbourhood malls, and heartland conveniences
- You prefer a more “local” living experience
Many renters find that HDB gives the best value per square foot, especially slightly older flats in non-central areas.
When a condo is worth paying for
A condo might fit you better if:
- You’ll really use the facilities (pool, gym, BBQ, function rooms)
- You value on-site security and controlled access
- You want a more “all-in-one” living environment for kids (playgrounds, pool, etc.)
- You’re okay paying more for convenience and lifestyle
On Hozuko, you can easily compare actual HDB and condo listings side by side for your preferred area and budget. That’s often more helpful than just reading opinions online.
Why some renters look at landed houses
Landed rentals are not only for ultra-rich families. Some renters realise that, in certain areas, an older terrace or semi-D can be competitive with larger condos, especially if you need a lot of space.
You might consider a landed home if you:
- Need space for a bigger family or multi-generation household
- Work from home and want a dedicated office or studio
- Have big items like bicycles, prams, sports gear, or musical equipment
- Want more privacy and fewer shared walls
- Prefer to host gatherings without worrying about thin ceilings
Trade-offs to be aware of:
- Maintenance: more area to clean, more things to fix
- Stairs: not ideal for elderly family members or toddlers
- Fewer “plug-and-play” facilities: no condo pool or onsite gym
- Location: many landed areas are less than 10 minutes’ walk from an MRT, but you must check carefully
On Hozuko, you can filter specifically for landed rentals and quickly see if the extra space is worth it for your situation.
How many bedrooms do you actually need?
Instead of just “the more the better”, think in terms of:
- Who is staying with you now
- Who might join later (partner, baby, helper, parents)
- How many people need quiet space to work or study
Here’s a practical starting point:
| Household type | Suggested bedrooms | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Single, mostly out of the house | Studio or 1-bedroom | Easy to maintain, lower rent, enough privacy |
| Couple | 1- or 2-bedroom | 1-bedroom works if both go to the office; 2-bedroom gives room for WFH or future baby |
| Couple, both WFH often | 2-bedroom | One room can double as workspace or guest room |
| Family of 3 (young child) | 2- or 3-bedroom | 2-bedroom is okay when child is small; 3-bedroom gives everyone long-term privacy |
| Family of 4 | 3-bedroom | Typical setup: master for parents, one room per child or shared kids’ room |
| 3–4 working adults sharing | 3- or 4-bedroom | Each person gets a room, shared living area |
| Multi-gen (parents + couple + child) | 3- or 4-bedroom / landed | Larger HDB, condo, or landed house gives enough separation for different sleep and work schedules |
Some extra tips:
- Think ahead 1–2 years. If you plan to have a child soon, jumping straight to a 2- or 3-bedroom might save you a move.
- If one person does frequent video calls or night shifts, an extra room can be a big quality-of-life upgrade.
- Pay attention to layout, not just bedroom count. A well-designed 2-bedroom can feel better than a cramped 3-bedroom.
On Hozuko, you can filter by number of bedrooms, then use photos and floorplans to get a feel of how the space is laid out before you even schedule a viewing.
Using Hozuko to narrow your search
Here’s a simple way to use Hozuko to move from “overwhelmed” to “shortlist”:
-
Set your budget range
Decide roughly how much of your income you’re comfortable spending on rent (commonly 30–40% as a rough guide). -
Choose property type
Start with what fits your lifestyle: HDB, condo, or landed. You can always widen later if nothing promising appears. -
Filter by bedrooms and area
Apply your bedroom needs, then choose areas near your work, school, or preferred MRT line. -
Compare HDB vs condo vs landed on one screen
Look at photos, floorplans, and descriptions. Check for things like: facing, noise, nearby amenities, and whether the listing mentions pets or restrictions. -
Shortlist and enquire
Save promising listings, then contact landlords or agents directly through Hozuko. Ask practical questions early: move-in date, minimum lease, what’s included in the rent, and any house rules. -
Line up viewings smartly
Try to schedule multiple viewings in the same neighbourhood on the same day. It helps you compare quickly and understand local noise, crowd levels, and travel times in real life.
Final thoughts
Singapore gives you many ways to rent: HDB flats, condos, and even landed houses if you need more space. Each has a different balance of price, lifestyle, and convenience.
Hozuko’s job is to make that choice easier.
Instead of getting lost in random chats and screenshots, you can:
- Discover apartments across different property types
- Filter by bedrooms, budget, and location
- Compare options side by side
- Reach out to landlords and agents directly
Start where it matters most – what you need day to day – then let Hozuko help you turn that into a short, realistic list of homes to view.
When you’re ready, open Hozuko, set your filters, and see what your next home could look like.