There is a wide variety of short-term accommodation available in Singapore to suit all budgets and personal preferences, ranging from budget hostels, service apartments to world class five-star hotels.
Please visit the Singapore Tourism Board website to access a comprehensive directory of places to stay and their estimated price range.
If you are looking to stay in Singapore for a significant period of time, long-term public and private housing for rental, and limited sale of certain private properties are available for foreigners.
If you are looking to rent, public housing apartments built by the Housing and Development Board (HDB) located all over the island is a good option. These government-subsidized flats are located in convenient, self-contained neighbourhoods with basic amenities such as supermarkets, food centres, clinics, schools, malls, libraries as well as access to the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) rail system. Click here (link to below) to find out how you can rent one of these flats.
Private apartments, condominiums and houses are also available for rental. Rental rates depend on the location, such as proximity to the MRT station and amenities, size and condition of the flat or house, the facilities provided and whether the place is furnished, unfurnished or partially furnished. Click here (link to below) to find out how you can rent or buy a private property under Singapore regulation.
Most Singaporeans live in apartments built by the Housing and Development Board (HDB). These government-subsidized flats are located in housing estates all over the island. Each estate is a self-contained neighbourhood with basic amenities such as supermarkets, food centres, clinics, schools, malls, libraries as well as access to the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) rail system.
A major advantage of the HDB accommodation is the reasonable rental. The flats range from one-room to five-room and executive models. Please click here to find out the latest rental estimates in each neighbourhood.
By regulation, to rent a HDB flat, you must be either a:
- Singapore Citizen or
- Singapore Permanent Resident or
- Non-citizen legally residing in Singapore (holder of Singapore blue Identity Card, Employment Pass, Work Permit or Student Pass).
Please visit the HDB website for further details on rental eligibility.
If you prefer private housing, take your pick of private apartments, condominium units or houses listed in the classified advertisements of the Straits Times, or approach a housing agent for the rental and purchase rates of private property.
Rental rates depend on the location, such as proximity to the MRT station and amenities, size and condition of the flat or house, the facilities provided and whether the place is furnished, unfurnished or partially furnished.
If you are interested in renting an apartment, you need to:
- Sign a lease with the owner. This is a legal contract between you and the owner, which sets out the duties and responsibilities of both parties;
- Sign an inventory, listing all the items provided by the owner, including their condition;
- Pay rent in advance;
- Put down a deposit or “security bond” equivalent to one month’s rent if your lease is for one-year period, which will be returned when you leave unless there are rental charges or other costs outstanding.
Under the Residential Property Act (RPA), foreigners can buy restricted properties only with approval. Restricted properties are landed properties as well as apartments in non-condominium developments of less than 6 levels. Please visit the Urban Redevelopment Authority website for more details on foreign ownership of residential properties under the RPA.
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