If you own a private residential property and wish to rent it out, you must adhere to the following rules.
Occupancy cap
All types of private residential property are subjected to an occupancy cap of six unrelated persons per property.
Unrelated persons refer to anyone who is not part of the same family unit.
Domestic helpers are considered part of the same family unit. The occupancy cap also applies to tenants who sublet the property.
As the property owner, you must ensure that your tenants follow the rules.
Examples
A family of six with domestic helpers are considered as part of the same family unit and will not be subjected to the occupancy cap. However, a family of four who stays and rents out part of their property is subjected to the occupancy cap. They are allowed to accommodate a maximum of two additional unrelated persons on the property.
Partitioning
If you plan to carry out any internal partitioning works on your property, you must ensure that it does not compromise the nature of your property as a single self-sufficient residential unit with essential features such as a living/dining area and a kitchen.
Registration of Tenants
For property owners, you do not need to register your tenants with URA. If your property is rented out to an employer who intends to house foreign employees, the occupancy cap of six unrelated persons per property applies. The addresses of these employees must be updated on the Ministry of Manpower website by the employer. You can check the number of foreign employees registered on your property via Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) website. For tenancy guidelines related to renting out a Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat, visit HDB’s website for details.
Short-Term Accommodation
You are not allowed to rent out your property on a daily or weekly basis. Private residential properties must be rented out for at least three consecutive months.