The rules for renting out an HDB flat or a private home in Singapore: who can rent out, for how long, to how many people, and the stamp duty on the tenancy. Rules checked 3 November 2026.
Singapore Citizen owners, after the 5-year minimum occupation period and with HDB’s approval. Singapore Permanent Resident households cannot rent out their flat. Prime Location Public Housing and Plus flats cannot be rented out as a whole.
At least 6 months per tenancy. Each approval lasts up to 3 years if all tenants are Singaporeans or Malaysians, or up to 2 years if any tenant is a non-Malaysian non-citizen.
When any tenant of a whole flat is a non-Malaysian non-citizen, a quota of 8% per neighbourhood and 11% per block applies. Once it is reached, only Singaporeans and Malaysians can rent whole flats there.
Up to 4 occupants in 1- and 2-room flats and 6 in 3-room flats. 4-room and larger flats may house up to 8 unrelated persons under a temporary relaxation extended to 31 December 2028. Occupants include owners and tenants.
Sources: HDB renting out a flat or bedrooms, HDB and URA, extension of the occupancy cap relaxation.
Every tenancy must be at least 3 consecutive months. Short-term rental, such as daily or weekly stays through home-sharing platforms, is not allowed, and URA prosecutes breaches under the Planning Act.
Up to 6 unrelated occupants. Homes of at least 90 sqm may house up to 8 unrelated persons if the owner registers with URA, under the temporary relaxation extended to 31 December 2028.
Sources: URA renting property, URA occupancy cap extension.
Tenancy agreements attract stamp duty: 0.4% of the total rent for leases up to 4 years, or 0.4% of 4 times the average annual rent for longer leases. It is due within 14 days of signing.
Calculate the rental stamp duty >Check the tenants’ passes and identities, record the condition of the home with photos, agree who handles minor repairs, and keep the deposit, rent and handover terms in writing.
Let’s look at the rules for your flat or condo, the likely rent and how it fits your plans.
Discuss renting out
Have a question about selling, buying or your next move?
Message Hanson on WhatsApp