What Expats Should Know About Renting in Singapore
- Eligibility Foreigners holding valid work passes (e.g. Employment Pass, S Pass, Dependant Pass, etc.) are generally allowed to rent private property. Short-term tourists usually cannot sign standard residential leases.
- Types of Property to Rent Options include: HDB flats (public housing), private condominiums (with amenities), landed houses (rare and typically costly), and serviced apartments / co-living units (for shorter stays).
- Typical Rental Costs & Examples In central districts, three-bedroom condos may start from ~ S$5,000/month and go higher, while in fringe areas the same property might rent for ~ S$4,000 to S$7,200. HDB flats tend to be more affordable, especially in mature estates.
- Upfront Costs & Deposits Before moving in, expect to pay: • Good faith deposit / earnest deposit when issuing a Letter of Intent (LOI) • Security deposit (commonly 1 to 2 months’ rent, depending on lease term) • Stamp duty on the lease agreement (for leases up to 4 years, stamp duty is ~0.4% of total rent) • Utilities, internet, maintenance which are usually not included in the rent
- Lease Duration & Terms For private properties, minimum lease is generally 3 months; HDB leases typically require at least 6 months. Tenancy Agreement (TA) often details maintenance responsibilities, notice periods, what happens on early termination, and condition of property at handover.
- Occupancy Limits & Registration From 22 Jan 2024 to 31 Dec 2026, private residential properties of at least 90 sqm can allow up to eight occupants (if registered). For HDB flats, the number of unrelated tenants is capped depending on flat size.
- Caution & Verification Steps • Always verify that the person renting out is the legal owner (check property registry). • Read the TA carefully—clauses on repairs, subletting, termination, landlord access. • Document the condition of the property (photos, video) during move-in to protect your deposit.
How Dogpay Makes Renting in Singapore Easier & Safer
When renting in Singapore (especially as an expat dealing with foreign currency accounts or cross-border transfers), Dogpay can be a valuable tool. Here’s how:
- Transparent Deposit & Rent Payments from Abroad When you pay your initial deposit, first month’s rent, or LOI deposit from a foreign currency bank account, Dogpay shows you the exact conversion and fee breakdown up front. That way, you know how much the landlord actually receives.
- Minimizing Hidden Bank Fees & Markups Traditional international transfers might include hidden bank intermediary fees or unfavorable FX margins. Using Dogpay reduces such surprises and gives a clearer cost structure.
- Recurring Rent / Utility Payments Once settled, monthly rent, maintenance, utilities, internet need to be paid reliably. If part of your funds are held abroad, Dogpay can help schedule or execute these payments with tighter control and less delay.
- Proof of Payment / Receipt Records Whenever you pay rent, deposit, or maintenance fees, it’s critical to have clear receipts or transaction records—useful for immigration, lease renewals, or disputes. Dogpay supplies exportable logs and proofs you can present when needed.
- Partial or Foreign Currency Proposals Sometimes landlords may accept part payments in foreign currency or expect overseas transfers. Dogpay enables you to propose and fulfill such arrangements more cleanly, reducing currency risk.
- Avoiding Payment Delays / Mis-routing With multiple banks, interbank routing, or cross-border intermediaries, delays or disruptions may happen. Dogpay’s routing logic and tracking help make sure your rent/deposit lands where and when it must.
