How to Rent a Shophouse in Singapore: A Practical Guide

Renting a shophouse is one of the most characterful ways to live in Singapore. These two- and three-storey conserved buildings, with their five-foot ways, timber shutters and inner courtyards, sit in heritage districts such as Joo Chiat, Tiong Bahru and Jalan Besar. But shophouses are not ordinary apartments, and renting one comes with a few details worth understanding first. Here is a practical guide.

What counts as a shophouse rental

A shophouse is a narrow, deep building that historically combined a shop on the ground floor with living quarters above. Today they are rented in several ways: a whole building, a single floor or unit, or as individual rooms in a co-living arrangement. Many are conserved properties protected by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), which means the facade and key architectural features cannot be altered. You can browse live options on Figment’s shophouse for rent in Singapore page.

Residential or commercial? Check the zoning

This is the single most important check. A shophouse can be zoned for commercial use, residential use, or both. You may only live in one that is approved for residential use; renting a commercially zoned shophouse as a home can breach planning rules. Always confirm the approved use with the landlord and, if in doubt, with URA before signing.

What to check before you rent

• Approved use: confirm the shophouse is permitted for residential living.
• Minimum stay: private residential tenancies must run at least three consecutive months under URA rules.
• Condition: older buildings can mean steep stairs, variable insulation and heritage quirks, so view in person.
• What’s included: furniture, aircon servicing, Wi-Fi and cleaning vary widely between listings.
• Air-con and ventilation: tall, narrow layouts heat differently from condos.

Minimum stays and shorter options

For residential shophouses the three-month minimum tenancy applies, the same as any private home in Singapore. If you need something shorter, only properties specifically approved for serviced-apartment use can host stays under three months. Figment offers one-month rentals in its designated serviced-apartment shophouses, and three-month short-term rentals elsewhere, both within the rules.

Co-living: the easiest way into a shophouse

If managing a whole conserved building sounds like a lot, co-living is the simplest route. Figment restores heritage shophouses into boutique co-living houses, letting you rent a private, furnished room with shared courtyards and lounges and one inclusive monthly fee. It is a popular choice for professionals who want the character of a shophouse without the upkeep. Explore the broader co-living in Singapore options to compare neighbourhoods.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to rent a shophouse in Singapore?

Rents vary widely by district, size and whether you take a room, a floor or the whole building, so check current listings rather than a single figure. Figment publishes up-to-date pricing on its shophouse and co-living pages.

Can you rent a shophouse short-term?

Only if it is approved for serviced-apartment use. Otherwise the three-month minimum for private residential property applies.

Are shophouses residential or commercial?

Both types exist. The approved use is set per building, so always verify before renting one as a home.