Rates and thresholds change. The current figures are kept in one place: the Singapore property rules reference.
What are the ten steps to rent out a home in Singapore?
The ten steps run in order, and the first one decides whether you can start at all.
| Step | What to do | Timing or amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Eligibility and approval | Confirm you may rent out. HDB approval before renting the whole flat or a bedroom | Minimum tenancy 6 months. Applies again when tenants change |
| 2. Target rent | Use recent transacted rents, not asking prices | Before you list |
| 3. Screening | Employment, proof of income or pass, who will live there | Before you sign |
| 4. Sign and stamp | Stamp via IRAS e stamping | Within 14 days in Singapore, 30 days overseas |
| 5. Deposit | Write down what it covers and the refund days | One month per year of lease, by convention |
| 6. Inventory | Photos and a written list signed by both | Move in day |
| 7. Insurance | Landlord specific policy | Before the first tenant moves in |
| 8. Charges | S&CC or maintenance fees stay with the owner | Ongoing |
| 9. Handover | Date, key sets, utility transfer | Agreed before move in day |
| 10. Agent terms | Rate and scope in writing | Landlord side: 1 month per 2 year term below S$3,500 rent, 0.5 month x years of lease at S$3,500 or more (Winfred, pricing) |
Can I rent out my home, and do I need approval first?
HDB owners must apply for HDB's approval before renting out the whole flat or a spare bedroom, and the minimum tenancy period is six months, so approval is the first step, not pricing. Applying takes a few working days online and there is a small administrative fee. List the unit before approval comes through and you risk having to unwind the whole arrangement. A new application is generally needed whenever tenants change.
Eligibility differs by owner. After the Minimum Occupation Period, a Singapore Citizen owner can rent out the whole flat with HDB approval, PR owners cannot rent out the whole flat, and Prime and Plus flats cannot be rented out whole even after the 10 year MOP (HDB, checked 17 October 2026, via the HDB vs condo comparison). See also renting out during MOP. Private property owners renting out a condo do not need government approval, but should inform the management corporation, since the security desk and access system usually need the new tenant's particulars before move in.
How do I set the target rent?
Set it from recent transacted rents for similar units in your block or a comparable block nearby, not from portal asking prices or a listing you saw six months ago. Asking prices can sit well above what actually gets signed. A realistic target rent gets you a good tenant faster and avoids weeks of an empty unit, which usually costs more than pricing a touch below the highest asking price in the area. If a listing sits for weeks with no offers, revisit the price before the photos.
How do I screen a tenant?
Check employment stability, ask for proof of income or an employment pass where relevant, and get a sense of who will actually live in the unit versus who signs the lease. Apply the same standard to every applicant, since inconsistent screening is where landlords run into trouble. A short call or viewing conversation tells you more than a rental application form alone. See tenant screening.
How do I stamp the tenancy agreement, and who pays?
Stamp the tenancy agreement through IRAS e stamping within 14 days of signing if signed in Singapore, or within 30 days if signed overseas. Stamp duty is calculated on the average annual rent and the lease term, and under standard market practice the tenant typically pays, but there is no law fixing who pays, so write it into the agreement. An unstamped tenancy agreement is still enforceable between the parties in most respects, but it cannot be used as evidence in court until the duty and any penalty is paid. See tenancy agreement stamp duty.
How much deposit should I collect?
Market convention is one month of deposit per year of lease. State in writing what the deposit covers, which is damage beyond fair wear and tear, unpaid rent and outstanding bills, and how many days after handover it will be refunded. This single clause prevents most end of tenancy arguments.
What goes into the move in inventory?
Walk the unit with the tenant on move in day and document the condition of every room, fitting and appliance with photos and a written list, with both parties signing off. Without it, any damage dispute becomes your word against the tenant's, the kind of case that ends up in the Small Claims Tribunal. See the move out inventory checklist.
Do I need landlord insurance?
A standard fire insurance policy required by your mortgage lender does not cover loss of rental income, tenant damage beyond the deposit, or third party liability if a tenant is injured in the unit. A landlord specific policy is inexpensive relative to one month of lost rent and is worth arranging before your first tenant moves in, not after something goes wrong. See the landlord insurance guide.
Who pays service and conservancy charges?
You do. Service and conservancy charges for an HDB flat, and maintenance fees for a condo, remain the owner's legal responsibility to the town council or management corporation regardless of what the tenancy agreement says between landlord and tenant. If you expect the tenant to pay it directly, say so explicitly in the agreement, since the town council or MCST will still chase you, the owner, if it goes unpaid.
How should I plan the handover?
Agree the exact handover date, who provides how many sets of keys, and how utility accounts transfer, before move in day arrives. A tenant arriving to find utilities not transferred or keys missing sets a poor tone for the whole tenancy and is entirely avoidable with a short checklist agreed in advance.
What does an agent charge to rent out my home?
CEA does not fix a rate, and the commission is agreed in the agreement with the agent. Winfred's published landlord representation rates, for a 2 year lease, are one month's rent per 2 year term when the monthly rent is below S$3,500, and 0.5 month x years of lease when the monthly rent is S$3,500 or more (pricing). Tenant side commission is typically a standard co-broke from the landlord's agent. See how agent commission works when renting out.
Sources and References
- HDB, regulations and approval for renting out a flat: hdb.gov.sg
- IRAS, e stamping for tenancy agreements: iras.gov.sg
- Singapore Courts, Small Claims Tribunal: judiciary.gov.sg/civil/small-claims
Frequently asked questions
Do I need HDB approval every time I get a new tenant?
Yes, a new application is generally needed whenever tenants change, since HDB approves specific tenants for a specific period, not a blanket right to rent to anyone. Renewing with the same tenant for a further term also needs a fresh application before the current approval expires.
Who pays the stamp duty on the tenancy agreement?
There is no law fixing who pays. Standard market practice in Singapore has the tenant pay stamp duty, but this should always be written into the tenancy agreement rather than assumed, since either party can technically agree to cover it.
What happens if I rent out my flat without HDB approval?
HDB can take action under the Housing and Development Act against owners who rent out a flat or bedroom without approval. Beyond the legal risk, an unapproved tenancy also complicates any later dispute, since you cannot point to an approved arrangement if something goes wrong.
How long does a tenancy agreement have to be stamped?
Within 14 days of signing if signed in Singapore, or within 30 days if signed overseas, through IRAS e stamping.
What are the three key takeaways?
- Get HDB approval before you list, because renting out an HDB flat or bedroom without it is the most common first time landlord mistake.
- Stamp the tenancy agreement within 14 days, write down who pays, what the deposit covers and how many days it takes to refund.
- Document the move in condition with photos and a signed list, arrange landlord insurance, and remember service and conservancy charges stay with you as the owner.
Renting out for the first time
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Book a free 30 minute strategy call WhatsApp WinfredWinfred Quek is an Associate Marketing Consultant at Crestbrick Pte Ltd (CEA Licence No. L3010886H). CEA R073319H. This page is for general information only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Verify current figures with IRAS, HDB, CPF Board or MAS before making any decision.