By The Address desk · Last verified 12 October 2026
If you rent out a condo, apartment or other private home in Singapore, URA’s rules are short and strict. Every occupant must stay a minimum of three consecutive months, so daily or weekly rentals, including Airbnb-style stays, are not allowed. A property may house no more than six unrelated persons. Under a temporary relaxation running to 31 December 2028, owners of properties of at least 90 sq m can register with URA, for a $20 fee, to house up to eight. Domestic helpers count as part of the family unit. Breaking the rules is an offence under the Planning Act, with fines of up to $200,000 per charge, and owners can be held liable for what their tenants do.
Renting out a home can be a steady, sensible income. Keep it on the right side of the rules and it stays that way, for you and for the neighbours who share your lifts.
Quick facts
- Minimum stay: 3 consecutive months for every occupant.
- Occupancy cap: 6 unrelated persons per property.
- Units of 90 sq m or more can register for up to 8, from 22 January 2024 to 31 December 2028.
- Registration fee: $20, via Singpass (go.gov.sg/ura8occ).
- Penalty: up to $200,000 per charge under the Planning Act.
- URA does not require tenant registration for private homes, but your MCST by-laws may.
The rules at a glance
| Rule | Property under 90 sq m | Property of 90 sq m or more |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum stay | 3 consecutive months | 3 consecutive months |
| Maximum unrelated occupants | 6 | 6, or up to 8 if registered with URA (until 31 Dec 2028) |
| Registration needed? | No | Only to house 7 or 8 |
| Short stays (daily, weekly) | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Sublets by tenants | Must follow the same cap | Must follow the same cap |
The size is the strata or lot area of the property, which you can check through the Singapore Land Authority’s MyProperty e-service.
Registering for up to eight occupants
- Check the size: the lot or strata area must be at least 90 sq m.
- Check eligibility: the property must be approved for residential use and private (for an Executive Condominium, the HDB minimum occupation period must be met), with no registration cancelled in the past 12 months.
- Register and pay $20 through go.gov.sg/ura8occ with Singpass (corporate owners use Corppass).
- Keep within eight, and keep the peace: URA cancels the registration if the cap is exceeded or the extra occupants cause serious nuisance.
Counting occupants: a worked example
Say you own a 95 sq m condo unit and plan to rent rooms.
- Without registering: up to 6 unrelated tenants in total.
- After registering: up to 8 unrelated tenants, until 31 December 2028.
- A family tenant: a couple, their children and their domestic helper count as one family unit, not as unrelated persons.
- Each tenant’s lease: at least three consecutive months, so a one-month “trial” stay is not allowed.
If you own a 75 sq m unit, the cap stays at six unrelated persons, with no option to register for more.
What happens if the rules are broken
Unauthorised short-term stays and overcrowding are offences under the Planning Act. In 2024, a man was fined a record $600,000, the maximum $200,000 on each of three charges, for turning private homes into unauthorised dormitories. In 2025, URA charged companies and individuals with hundreds of offences for unauthorised short-term accommodation. Members of the public can report suspected cases to URA, and the information is kept confidential.
The WahLiao Verdict
Write “minimum three months” into every tenancy agreement, count heads before you advertise, and register with URA if a 90 sq m-plus unit will house seven or eight. Never touch nightly listings, however tempting the numbers look. Then check your MCST by-laws for any tenant registration rules, stamp the tenancy on time, and declare the rental income to IRAS. A tidy, legal rental is the one that lets you sleep well.
Questions people ask
Can I rent my condo on Airbnb for a few nights?
No. URA requires a minimum stay of three consecutive months for private residential properties, so daily and weekly rentals are not allowed.
Does my domestic helper count towards the cap?
No. URA treats domestic helpers as part of the same family unit.
I’m the owner. Am I liable if my tenant sublets?
The cap applies to sublets too, and URA says owners must ensure their tenants follow the rules and can be liable for infringements.
Do these rules apply to HDB flats?
No. HDB has its own rules on renting out flats and bedrooms, including its own minimum stay and occupancy limits.
Sources: URA, rules for renting out private residential property; URA, record $600,000 fine for unauthorised dormitory use (2024); URA, charges for unauthorised short-term accommodation (2025). The Address explains; it does not advise.
Read next: Your Tenancy Agreement: Deposits, the Diplomatic Clause and Repairs · Rental Stamp Duty in Singapore: How Much, Who Pays and the 14-Day Deadline · Back to The Address
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