Renting a Home in Singapore — HDB & Private Checklist: 26 Items

Compare HDB and private rentals, verify eligibility and authority, and inspect lease, costs and handover conditions.

26 items Singapore EN

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Checklist

📍 Set budget and rental criteria

Choose HDB or private property options

Notes: Tenant eligibility and landlord obligations differ by property type.

Tenant eligibility and landlord obligations differ by property type.

Calculate full housing budget

Notes: Include rent, deposit, stamp duty where applicable, utilities and agent fees.

Include rent, deposit, stamp duty where applicable, utilities and agent fees.

List household needs

Notes: Consider accessibility, room-sharing rules, schools and quiet hours.

Consider accessibility, room-sharing rules, schools and quiet hours.

🪪 Verify eligibility and landlord

Check tenant immigration status

Notes: HDB may require eligible passes and minimum remaining pass validity.

HDB may require eligible passes and minimum remaining pass validity.

Check HDB tenancy requirements

Notes: Confirm whole-flat or bedroom rules and authorised occupants.

Confirm whole-flat or bedroom rules and authorised occupants.

Ask for HDB landlord approval

Notes: The owner should have appropriate approval or registration before occupancy.

The owner should have appropriate approval or registration before occupancy.

Verify the landlord or agent identity

Notes: Confirm legal authority to let the home; be cautious about fake listings.

Confirm legal authority to let the home; be cautious about fake listings.

Inspect agent terms and fees

Notes: Understand who appointed the agent and agreed commission.

Understand who appointed the agent and agreed commission.

🔍 Visit and inspect

Visit the actual unit before paying

Notes: Avoid paying a deposit solely from a video or messaging conversation.

Avoid paying a deposit solely from a video or messaging conversation.

Inspect leaks, mould and ventilation

Notes: Photograph pre-existing defects with permission.

Photograph pre-existing defects with permission.

Test air conditioning and appliances

Notes: Ask about servicing and breakdown responsibility.

Ask about servicing and breakdown responsibility.

Check locks, windows and safety exits

Notes: Verify security and that access routes are not obstructed.

Verify security and that access routes are not obstructed.

Record inventory and furnishing condition

Notes: Attach a signed inventory and photos separately if appropriate.

Attach a signed inventory and photos separately if appropriate.

📃 Review the contract

Read rent, deposit and payment schedules

Notes: Verify exact due dates and the bank account of the proper recipient.

Verify exact due dates and the bank account of the proper recipient.

Check repair and maintenance clauses

Notes: Understand minor-repair caps, appliance servicing and major repairs.

Understand minor-repair caps, appliance servicing and major repairs.

Review early termination terms

Notes: Ask about diplomatic clauses and notice periods if applicable.

Ask about diplomatic clauses and notice periods if applicable.

Clarify allowed occupants and subletting

Notes: The contract must respect HDB or condo rules.

The contract must respect HDB or condo rules.

Check stamp-duty responsibilities

Notes: Confirm whether tenancy stamp duty applies and its deadline with IRAS.

Confirm whether tenancy stamp duty applies and its deadline with IRAS.

Verify handover date and key count

Notes: Confirm all keys, cards, access permissions and contact points.

Confirm all keys, cards, access permissions and contact points.

📦 Move-in setup

Document meter readings at handover

Notes: Photograph utilities readings with a timestamp where feasible.

Photograph utilities readings with a timestamp where feasible.

Arrange electricity, water and internet

Notes: Determine whether services are under the tenant’s or owner’s name.

Determine whether services are under the tenant’s or owner’s name.

Submit a signed defect list

Notes: Raise agreed defects promptly through the documented channel.

Raise agreed defects promptly through the documented channel.

Save emergency and maintenance contacts

Notes: Include building management and landlord repair procedures.

Include building management and landlord repair procedures.

📆 Manage and end tenancy

Track rent payment receipts

Notes: Keep a private record of transfers and corresponding months.

Keep a private record of transfers and corresponding months.

Plan deposit and move-out inspection

Notes: Agree the condition review and reasonable deductions process.

Agree the condition review and reasonable deductions process.

Check renewal or notice deadlines

Notes: Avoid an unintended lapse or unplanned housing gap.

Avoid an unintended lapse or unplanned housing gap.

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Complete Guide

Choose between HDB and private housing

Budget should include more than monthly rent: consider deposits, utilities, commuting costs and applicable taxes. HDB flats are regulated public housing, whereas private properties operate under a different set of rules.

Check who may rent an HDB property

HDB publishes eligibility requirements for permitted tenants, pass status, tenancy period and occupancy. Landlords need the relevant authorisation or registration; receiving a key does not itself prove that a tenancy complies with HDB rules.

Inspect the actual home

Visit the specific unit and review safety, ventilation, water leaks, noise and appliance conditions. Record pre-existing defects objectively and verify the person collecting money is authorised to act for the property owner.

Negotiate clear written tenancy terms

Review deposit deductions, routine servicing, repair responsibilities, early termination, occupancy permissions and notice periods. For private rentals, check condominium and management rules where relevant.

Utilities, stamps and documentation

Ask whether the contract attracts stamp duty and which party will arrange stamping. Agree when utilities start, record meter readings, and store the signed contract and inventory in a secure location.

Maintain a record through move-out

Save rent receipts, servicing invoices, defect correspondence and notice dates. Before departing, coordinate a joint inspection and documented return of keys to reduce avoidable deposit disputes.

Frequently asked questions

Can tourists rent an HDB flat or room?

HDB’s stated tenant eligibility rules exclude tourists. Check current HDB rules and the validity of the relevant long-stay pass.

Should I rely on a landlord’s claim of HDB approval?

Ask to see the relevant HDB approval and confirm that you are recorded as an authorised tenant where applicable.

Do private condos have identical rental restrictions to HDB homes?

No. HDB-specific eligibility, approval and occupancy rules differ from those for private rentals.

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