Singapore’s Rental Rules in 2026: What Changed and What’s Still the Same

Singapore’s rules on renting a home have not been rewritten in 2026, but one important deadline was pushed back this year, and the rules are still widely misunderstood by renters comparing Airbnb, co-living and traditional leases. Here is what currently applies, and what changed.

The 3-Month Minimum Still Applies to Private Homes

Private residential properties in Singapore cannot legally be rented for under three consecutive months. This has been the rule since 2017, when URA revised the minimum stay down from six months to three, and it has not changed since. It is the reason platforms like Airbnb cannot legally offer short weekend stays in most private condos and landed homes here, and why 3-month rentals are the shortest compliant option for most private residential listings.

HDB Flats Sit at a 6-Month Floor, With Extra Approval Steps

HDB flats are stricter still: a whole flat can only be rented out for a minimum of six months per tenancy, and only by the flat owner, after HDB approval and once the Minimum Occupation Period has passed. Individual bedrooms in an HDB flat can be rented out, but landlords still need HDB’s approval, and the same 6-month practical floor is treated as standard. Bear this distinction in mind if you see an HDB unit advertised for anything shorter.

What Changed in 2026: The Occupancy Cap Extension

The default occupancy cap for both HDB flats and private residential properties is six unrelated persons. Since January 2024, URA and HDB have allowed a temporary exception of up to eight unrelated occupants for larger properties (at least 90 sqm), provided the property is registered with a $20 registration fee. In January 2026, the authorities extended this temporary relaxation by a further two years, to 31 December 2028, rather than letting it lapse as originally scheduled. Registration is what determines eligibility, not simply the size of the unit, so owners still need to register before relying on the higher cap.

The Penalties for Getting It Wrong

Letting out a private home for stays under three months without authorisation is an offence under the Planning Act, since it counts as an unauthorised change of use. First-time offenders typically face a composition fine, while repeat offenders or those running unauthorised short-term lets across multiple properties face prosecution, with fines of up to S$200,000 per charge. This is why Figment only offers stays under three months through designated shophouses approved for serviced-apartment use, rather than across its wider portfolio.

Where This Leaves Renters Comparing Options

For renters who want a stay shorter than three months without running into these rules, licensed options such as Figment’s monthly rental over a hotel stay or a serviced apartment are the compliant route, alongside co-living leases of three months or more.

Can I find a legal 1-month rental in Singapore?

Yes, but only through licensed serviced apartments or properties specifically approved for that use. A standard private condo or HDB flat cannot legally be rented for one month.

Does the occupancy cap apply to co-living homes?

Yes. Co-living operators renting out private residential property must still keep to the six-person cap, or the registered eight-person cap where the property qualifies, regardless of how the rooms are marketed.