By the WahLiao desk · Last verified 29 September 2026
The Singapore rules that catch new residents out are rarely the famous ones. They are the deadlines and the fine print: stamp duty on your lease within 14 days, renovation noise only at permitted hours, only approved dog breeds in HDB flats, no public drinking from 10.30pm to 7am, no vaping at all, and never working, even briefly, without the right pass. Visitors can plead ignorance; residents are expected to know.
Most newcomers find the rules easier to live with than to read about. Singapore is orderly because the rules are enforced evenly and fines are real. The list below is the practical one: what actually trips up people in their first year.
The rules at a glance
| Rule | What to know |
|---|---|
| Rental stamp duty | Usually paid by the tenant, within 14 days of signing the lease |
| Renovation | Noisy works in HDB flats only on permitted days and hours, with permits for some works |
| Pets | HDB flats allow only approved dog breeds; licences are needed for dogs, and for cats under the newer rules |
| Drinking | No drinking in public places from 10.30pm to 7am; shops stop takeaway sales at 10.30pm |
| Smoking and vaping | Smoke only in designated areas; vapes are banned outright |
| Littering | Fined, and repeat offenders can be ordered to clean public areas |
| Working | Only for the employer on your pass; dependants need their own pass to work |
| Staying | Keep a valid pass; overstaying is an offence |
The WahLiao Verdict
| The costly ones | Working without the right pass and overstaying. |
| The easy-to-miss ones | Stamp duty deadlines and renovation hours. |
| The daily ones | No eating on the MRT, no littering, return your tray. |
| Worth knowing | Rules are enforced evenly; courtesy goes a long way. |
| If unsure | Check the agency’s own page; it is usually clear. |
Your home
Tenants usually pay stamp duty on the lease within 14 days of signing; rental stamp duty explains it. If you renovate or hire contractors, HDB limits noisy works to set hours and requires permits for some works; HDB renovation rules sets them out. HDB flats allow only approved dog breeds, so check before you bring a dog; see bringing a pet.
Out and about
Drinking in public places is banned from 10.30pm to 7am, with stricter rules in Little India and Geylang, and shops stop selling takeaway alcohol at 10.30pm; The Table explains the drinking rules. Smoke only in designated areas; vapes are banned for everyone. No eating or drinking on the MRT, no littering, and return your tray at hawker centres. Singapore laws and fines gives the penalties.
Your pass
You may work only for the employer named on your pass. Dependant’s Pass holders need their own work pass to work. If you lose your job, a Short-Term Visit Pass lets you stay for a period but not work; see changing jobs. Keep your pass valid and your address updated with the issuing agency.
Rules for new residents: FAQ
Who pays stamp duty on a rental in Singapore?
Usually the tenant, within 14 days of signing the lease.
Can I keep any dog in an HDB flat?
No. HDB allows only approved breeds. Condominiums have their own by-laws.
Can my spouse work on a Dependant’s Pass?
Only with their own work pass, applied for by their employer.
Is vaping allowed for residents?
No. Vapes are banned for everyone in Singapore, residents and visitors alike.
Read next
This page belongs to Moving to Singapore. For the everyday manners, read etiquette and Singlish.
Sources checked 29 September 2026: WahLiao’s desk guides on rental stamp duty, HDB renovation rules and drinking rules, and Visiting Singapore’s laws page, which carry their own official sources (IRAS, HDB, MHA, NEA and Singapore Customs); MOM on passes and short-term visit passes. General information, not legal advice. Last updated 29 September 2026.
