Landlord guide · Leasing structures
By Winfred Quek, Associate Marketing Consultant · CEA R073319H · Crestbrick Pte Ltd (L3010886H) · Published 13 July 2026
Rates and thresholds change. The current figures are kept in one place: the Singapore property rules reference.
General guidance only, verify current rules with IRAS and HDB before finalising any lease · Sources linked below
What a corporate lease actually is
In a corporate lease, the company is the named tenant on the agreement. It is the company, not the person living in the flat, that signs, pays the rent and is contractually liable for the obligations under the lease. The individual who actually occupies the unit is usually named as the authorised occupant, often an expatriate employee on a relocation package, but they are not the party you can chase directly if rent is late or the unit is damaged. Your counterparty is the company.
How stamp duty works, same formula, different payer mechanics
Frequently asked questions
What is a corporate lease and how does it differ from an individual tenancy?
In a corporate lease, a company is named as the tenant on the tenancy agreement and pays the rent, while an employee of that company occupies the unit as their residence. In an individual tenancy, the person living in the unit is also the named tenant who signs and is personally liable. The practical difference for a landlord is who you are contractually dealing with and who stands behind the obligations if something goes wrong.
Does stamp duty differ for a corporate tenant versus an individual tenant?
No. The IRAS formula for tenancy stamp duty is the same whether the tenant is a company or an individual: 0.4% of the total rent for leases of 4 years or less, and 0.4% of four times the average annual rent for longer or indefinite leases.
Is the diplomatic clause specific to corporate leases?
No, a diplomatic clause can appear in any residential lease, but it is far more common in corporate leases because the tenant's presence in Singapore is tied to an employment posting that can end with a transfer, repatriation or contract termination outside the employee's control. Corporate tenants and their relocation agents will typically ask for one as a standard condition.
Weighing a corporate tenant for your unit?
Whether a corporate lease suits your property depends on your holding plan, your unit type, and how much lock in certainty you actually need. A Property Portfolio Analysis maps a corporate versus individual tenancy against your real numbers before you sign.
Book a free analysis callWinfred Quek is Associate Marketing Consultant at Crestbrick Pte Ltd, advising Singapore landlords, investors and families. CEA R073319H. The information on this page is general and does not constitute financial, investment or legal advice. Stamp duty rules, HDB subletting rules and standard lease practices can change; verify all details with IRAS, HDB and a qualified conveyancing lawyer before finalising any tenancy.