Do You Need a Guarantor to Rent in Singapore?

Short answer: almost never. If you have rented in countries like the UK or Australia, you may expect to line up a guarantor before you can sign. In Singapore there is no legal requirement for a guarantor to rent private housing, and most landlords rely on a security deposit instead. Here is what landlords actually ask for — and what to do if you have no local track record.

The short answer: a deposit, not a guarantor

Singapore’s rental market runs on deposits rather than guarantors. A security deposit of about one month’s rent for each year of the lease is standard, and it gives the landlord the financial cushion a guarantor provides elsewhere. For most people renting a room, a flat, or a coliving home, that deposit plus proof you can pay the rent is enough.

What landlords ask for instead

• A security deposit, typically one month’s rent per year of lease
• One month’s rent in advance
• Proof of income or employment — an employment letter or recent payslips
• A valid immigration pass if you are a foreigner (Employment Pass, S Pass, Student Pass, Dependant Pass and similar)

When a guarantor or alternative might come up

A landlord may occasionally ask for extra assurance. When they do, it is a commercial negotiation rather than a legal must, and there is usually a simpler alternative:

How coliving keeps it simple

Purpose-built coliving removes most of these friction points. Homes are furnished, bills are bundled, and the operator manages the paperwork — so there is rarely any talk of guarantors. Figment’s coliving for expats and homes for working professionals are built for people who are new to the city and do not yet have a local financial footprint. If you want hotel-style flexibility, our serviced apartments — a licensed short-stay format — and monthly stays offer the same simplicity.

What if a landlord still insists on one?

If a landlord asks for a guarantor and you cannot provide one, treat it as the start of a negotiation rather than a dead end. Offering an extra month of rent in advance, a slightly higher deposit, or a shorter three- to six-month initial lease often gives the same reassurance. It is also worth asking why the request is being made — if it stems from an unconfirmed pass or start date, sharing your in-principle approval usually settles it. And if the terms still feel heavy, a managed home removes the question entirely: see our short-term rental options for flexible, deposit-light stays.

Is a guarantor the same as a co-signer?

Not quite. A co-signer is named on the lease and equally liable for the rent from day one; a guarantor only steps in if you default. Both are uncommon in standard Singapore residential leases.

Do I need a guarantor for coliving?

No. A deposit, a valid immigration pass and proof you can pay the rent are all that is normally required.