Renting a HDB Flat: Renting from HDB

Renting a HDB Flat/Room
Singaporeans: Those Singapore citizens who are not yet able to purchase a HDB flat, are given the option of renting a whole flat or just a room(s) via Government-approved schemes. Applicants must meet certain criteria, including salary, age, and family type. Singaporeans can also rent on the private market without any restrictions.

Foreigners: HDB flats may be rented to foreigners on the private market on condition that they possess valid documentation allowing them to legally reside in Singapore.

Renting a HDB Flat
Those Singaporeans who are interested in renting a HDB flat may do so following either the Public Rental Scheme or the Rent & Purchase Scheme, depending on the type of flat you need. This is illustrated in the chart below:

Public Rental Scheme
Refers to the scheme where you may apply to rent a flat in three (3) Application Zones, i.e. Woodlands Zone, Bukit Merah/Jurong and Bedok/Tampines Zone. There are four eligibility conditions to fulfill before you may qualify for this scheme:

1. Citizenship

1. applicant MUST be a Singaporean,
2. one (1) of the accompanying occupiers MUST be a Singapore Citizen/Singapore Permanent Resident

2. Age

1. must be above 21 years old

3. Income Ceiling

1. gross household income < $1,500/month

4. Family Nucleus

1. Must form a family nucleus based on either of the following pairing:

• Applicant + spouse
• Applicant + parents, if single
• Applicant + children under custody, if widowed/divorced
• Engaged couples
• Siblings, if orphaned

There is an average waiting period of 3.5 to 8 months, depending on availability of units in the zone you have selected. If you need the accommodation urgently, those who already have an existing pending application may opt to go for a Daily Selection Scheme (for more information you may refer to http://www.iproperty.com.sg/adclick.aspx?url=http://www.hdb.gov.sg/).

Rent & Purchase Scheme
This scheme allows tenants to state their intention to buy the HDB flat they are initially interested to rent. Four (4) eligibility conditions have to be fulfilled before you may join this scheme:

1. Citizenship

1. applicant MUST be a Singaporean,
2. one (1) of the accompanying occupiers MUST be a Singapore Citizen/Singapore Permanent Resident

2.     Age

1. must be above 21 years old

3.     Income Ceiling

1. gross household income must be between $801 to $2,000/month

4.     Family Nucleus

1. Must form a family nucleus of either of the following:

1. Applicant + spouse
2. Applicant + parents, if single
3. Applicant + children under custody, if widowed/divorced
4. Engaged couples
5. Siblings, if orphaned

The applicants of this scheme, if successful, are subjected to a 2-year rental period. Renewals are subject to any terms/conditions imposed by HDB. Should you succeed in your bid to purchase the HDB unit, you are eligible for attractive grants and discounts from HDB.

Sitting Tenants Scheme
Only applicable to tenants of 2/3-room flats, this scheme is activated when the HDB flat unit is identified as being available for purchase under the Sitting Tenants Scheme. Tenants who opt to purchase these units are eligible for grants/discounts by HDB. However, should the tenant forgo the opportunity to purchase the flat at that point of time, they may be allowed to continue renting.

Renting a HDB Room
Whilst a person(s) renting a whole flat has the option of renting from the homeowners or directly from HDB, person(s) who need to rent a room can only do so from homeowners, subject to the Subletting Flat/Room Scheme.

Subletting Flat/Room Scheme