Housing Development Board Apartment (HDB)

The HDB is Singapore's public housing authority and a statutory board under the Ministry of National Development.

HDB flat owners may rent out whole units or single bedrooms. This accommodation option is cheaper in comparison to private housing options, such as private apartments. The minimum rental period is six consecutive months.

You are eligible for HDB rental if you are

• a Singapore Citizen,
• a Singapore Permanent Resident, or
• a Non-Singapore Citizen legally residing in Singapore and holding on to an Employment Pass, S Pass, Work Permit, Student Pass, Dependant Pass, or Long-Term Social Visit Pass.
  • These passes must have a validity period of at least six months when you apply for HDB rental housing.
  • Tourists are not allowed to apply for HDB rental housing.

Here are some guidelines if you choose to rent an HDB flat or bedroom:

1. You should visit the flat that you intend to rent and ensure that the person you are dealing with is the rightful owner of the flat. You can do so by requesting for documentary proof of the flat’s ownership. If you are renting the whole flat, ask the flat owner to show you a printout of HDB’s confirmation of the flat owner eligibility to rent out the flat.
2. You should ensure that the flat owner has HDB approval to rent out the flat or bedroom to you. You can ask the flat owner to show you a copy of the approval letter from HDB, and give you a copy of the terms and conditions of the approval.
3. For rental of bedrooms, flat owners must continue to live in the flat during the rental period. To protect your interest, you should also include a condition in the rental contract to specify that the contract is valid only if the flat owner obtains HDB’s approval to rent out the flat or bedroom. Also, you may ask the flat owner to provide you with the printout of HDB’s confirmation that you are a registered tenant.
4. The maximum number of occupants allowed in each HDB flat is six. This includes the flat owners, authorised occupiers, and tenants.
5. Only bedrooms originally constructed by HDB can be rented out.  All other parts of the flat (including partitioned rooms) cannot be used as bedrooms for tenants.
6. You are advised to read and understand all the terms and conditions in the tenancy agreement before signing it. Click here for the Tenancy Agreement for HDB flats template.
7. It is common practice for rent to be paid monthly. The first payment should be made on the day the tenancy starts while subsequent payments should be made on the same day of each month. The deposit amount is usually equal to a month’s rent for a one-year tenancy contract and two months’ rent for a two-year tenancy contract. This is payable upon signing the tenancy agreement, together with the first month’s rent. You are advised not to pay more than a month's rent.
8. As proof of payment, you should avoid paying in cash. Pay the rental deposit and rent directly to the landlord by crossed cheques or other verifiable means. You should also request for a receipt from the flat owner after each payment.
9. You should avoid paying the rental deposit and monthly rent through property agents or any third party. Under the Estate Agents Act, property agents are not allowed to handle transaction monies for the lease of HDB property, which includes deposits and rental payments. The commission is not regarded as transaction monies.

For more information, please visit the following links:

• Housing & Development Board website (Click here)
• Council for Estate Agencies (Click here)