There are various reasons why one may choose to rent an HDB flat in Singapore, versus buying one.
They may not qualify for an HDB BTO flat, which means they need to look for resale options or rent. Renting also provides more mobility, especially if the occupants prefer to live closer to their workplace.
Flexibility is another boon – instead of paying a 25-year mortgage on their HDB flat and spending money on renovation, renters are free to look for another flat (typically renovated and furnished) once their existing rental contract with the landlord is up. It’s also a good option for those who may consider migrating overseas in the future.
HDB Rental Flats Under the Public Rental Scheme
If you’re looking to rent an HDB flat but still find yourself short on funds, you can seek help from the HDB Public Rental Scheme.
You first need to fulfil some eligibility criteria. The general rule of thumb is that you cannot apply alone, must be a Singaporean who is at least 21 years old and must show that their gross household income is $1,500/month or less.
On the HDB Public Rental Scheme, HDB rental flat prices can be extremely low. Depending on their household income, successful applicants then pay a subsidised rent of $26 to $275 each month.
However, most of us reading this don’t qualify for the HDB public rental scheme and will need to rent on the open market. So how much are HDB rental prices in Singapore?
Related article: Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS): BTO Delayed? Here’s How to Apply for Interim Housing
HDB Rental Prices in Singapore (Q3 2021)
Here’s a quick look at the latest HDB rental flat prices in Singapore. These are taken from HDB’s website for median rental rates by town and flat type, which are based on Q3 2021 HDB rental transactions:
|
HDB town |
3-room HDB flat rental prices |
4-room HDB flat rental prices |
5-room HDB flat rental prices |
|
Ang Mo Kio |
$1,850 |
$2,200 |
$2,400 |
|
Bedok |
$1,800 |
$2,200 |
$2,400 |
|
Bishan |
$1,900 |
$2,400 |
$2,600 |
|
Bukit Batok |
$1,750 |
$2,100 |
$2,300 |
|
Bukit Merah |
$2,000 |
$2,600 |
$2,900 |
|
Bukit Panjang |
$1,680 |
$2,000 |
$2,100 |
|
Bukit Timah |
* |
* |
* |
|
Central |
$2,230 |
$2,800 |
* |
|
Choa Chu Kang |
$1,700 |
$2,000 |
$2,000 |
|
Clementi |
$2,000 |
$2,500 |
$2,700 |
|
Geylang |
$1,810 |
$2,400 |
$2,860 |
|
Hougang |
$1,700 |
$2,030 |
$2,200 |
|
Jurong East |
$1,850 |
$2,200 |
$2,400 |
|
Jurong West |
$1,800 |
$2,150 |
$2,350 |
|
Kallang/ Whampoa |
$2,000 |
$2,500 |
$2,600 |
|
Marine Parade |
$1,900 |
$2,200 |
* |
|
Pasir Ris |
– |
$2,050 |
$2,300 |
|
Punggol |
$1,950 |
$2,000 |
$2,000 |
|
Queenstown |
$2,000 |
$2,750 |
$3,000 |
|
Sembawang |
* |
$1,900 |
$2,050 |
|
Sengkang |
* |
$2,100 |
$2,100 |
|
Serangoon |
$1,880 |
$2,300 |
$2,500 |
|
Tampines |
$1,850 |
$2,200 |
$2,300 |
|
Toa Payoh |
$1,900 |
$2,300 |
$2,600 |
|
Woodlands |
$1,650 |
$1,900 |
$2,000 |
|
Yishun |
$1,700 |
$2,000 |
$2,150 |
Sources: HDB Rental Statistics, HDB Market Rental Rates
By the way, an asterisk (*) means there were fewer than 20 HDB rental transactions for the location and flat type in the quarter, while a dash (-) means there were no rental transactions.
Are HDB Rental Rates on the Rise?
Here’s a look at the quarter-on-quarter increase in HDB rental flat prices from Q2 2021 to Q3 2021, comparing HDB rental rates for a 4-room flat. The data is of median rents compiled from HDB rental transactions:
|
HDB town |
4-room HDB flat rental price (Q2 2021) |
4-room HDB flat rental price (Q3 2021) |
% change |
|
Ang Mo Kio |
$2,200 |
$2,200 |
0% |
|
Bedok |
$2,100 |
$2,200 |
+4.8% |
|
Bishan |
$2,400 |
$2,400 |
0% |
|
Bukit Batok |
$2,000 |
$2,100 |
+5.0% |
|
Bukit Merah |
$2,650 |
$2,600 |
-1.9% |
|
Bukit Panjang |
$1,900 |
$2,000 |
+5.2% |
|
Bukit Timah |
* |
* |
N/A |
|
Central |
$2,800 |
$2,800 |
0% |
|
Choa Chu Kang |
$1,900 |
$2,000 |
+5.2% |
|
Clementi |
$2,500 |
$2,500 |
0% |
|
Geylang |
$2,300 |
$2,400 |
+4.3% |
|
Hougang |
$2,000 |
$2,030 |
+1.5% |
|
Jurong East |
$2,150 |
$2,200 |
+2.3% |
|
Jurong West |
$2,050 |
$2,150 |
+4.9% |
|
Kallang/ Whampoa |
$2,500 |
$2,500 |
0% |
|
Marine Parade |
$2,200 |
$2,200 |
0% |
|
Pasir Ris |
$2,000 |
$2,050 |
+2.5% |
|
Punggol |
$2,000 |
$2,000 |
0% |
|
Queenstown |
$2,700 |
$2,750 |
+1.9% |
|
Sembawang |
$1,900 |
$1,900 |
0% |
|
Sengkang |
$2,000 |
$2,100 |
+5.0% |
|
Serangoon |
$2,200 |
$2,300 |
+4.5% |
|
Tampines |
$2,100 |
$2,200 |
+4.8% |
|
Toa Payoh |
$2,300 |
$2,300 |
0% |
|
Woodlands |
$1,880 |
$1,900 |
+1.1% |
|
Yishun |
$2,000 |
$2,000 |
0% |
Sources: HDB Rental Statistics, HDB Market Rental Rates
It certainly looks like HDB rental flat prices are on the rise, across the board. This is despite an overall dip in demand: HDB reported only 3,705 HDB rental transactions for 4-room flats in Q3, down from 3,903 in Q2.
Median HDB rental rates rose most sharply in far-flung neighbourhoods like Bedok, Bukit Batok, Bukit Panjang, Choa Chu Kang, Jurong West, Sengkang, and Tampines, going up by as much as 5.2% in a single quarter.
Meanwhile, HDB rental flat prices in more central and/or more ‘desirable’ towns remained the same in both quarters. These include likes of Kallang/Whampoa, Toa Payoh, Bishan, Marine Parade, and Clementi.
Why Are HDB Rental Rates Rising?
A glimpse at the data from HDB rental transactions shows us there is high demand for HDB flat rentals across the island.
We’re guessing that a fair few of these renters are Singaporean couples and families who are waiting for their BTO flats, which are delayed, no thanks to COVID-19. Another significant chunk is likely to be HDB upgraders who need a temporary home after selling their HDB flats to take advantage of soaring HDB resale prices.
With WFH having been the default for most of this year, it’s possible that rental tenants now prioritise space over proximity to the city centre. Thus the increased demand for more ‘ulu’ towns, where one’s rental budget can go a lot further and allow for larger living spaces.
As neither the property situation nor the work-from-home arrangement look set to change dramatically in the short term, HDB rental prices are likely to continue their upward trend.
3-Room HDB Flat Rental Prices
|
HDB town |
3-room HDB flat rental price |
|
Ang Mo Kio |
$1,850 |
|
Bedok |
$1,800 |
|
Bishan |
$1,900 |
|
Bukit Batok |
$1,750 |
|
Bukit Merah |
$2,000 |
|
Bukit Panjang |
$1,680 |
|
Bukit Timah |
* |
|
Central |
$2,230 |
|
Choa Chu Kang |
$1,700 |
|
Clementi |
$2,000 |
|
Geylang |
$1,810 |
|
Hougang |
$1,700 |
|
Jurong East |
$1,850 |
|
Jurong West |
$1,800 |
|
Kallang/ Whampoa |
$2,000 |
|
Marine Parade |
$1,900 |
|
Pasir Ris |
* |
|
Punggol |
$1,950 |
|
Queenstown |
$2,000 |
|
Sembawang |
– |
|
Sengkang |
* |
|
Serangoon |
$1,880 |
|
Tampines |
$1,850 |
|
Toa Payoh |
$1,900 |
|
Woodlands |
$1,650 |
|
Yishun |
$1,700 |
Sources: HDB Rental Statistics, HDB Market Rental Rates
Based on the HDB rental transactions for 3-room flats in Singapore for Q3 2021, it looks like renters can expect to pay anything from $1,680 to $2,230 for an entire 3-room HDB flat.
Those looking for more affordable options can look for 3-room rental HDB flats in Bukit Panjang, Bukit Batok, Choa Chu Kang, and Hougang, where HDB rental rates hover around $1,700/month. These towns may be relatively inaccessible, but they do offer more green space and possibly a slower pace of life.
The more mature towns like Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Geylang, Jurong East, and Serangoon, where the HDB rental prices are around $1,800/month, offer a good compromise between affordability and amenities. All are well-connected and full of amenities like shopping malls and eateries.
Browse all HDB 3-room flats for rent on PropertyGuru.
4-Room HDB Flat Rental Prices
|
HDB town |
4-room HDB flat rental price |
|
Ang Mo Kio |
$2,200 |
|
Bedok |
$2,200 |
|
Bishan |
$2,400 |
|
Bukit Batok |
$2,100 |
|
Bukit Merah |
$2,600 |
|
Bukit Panjang |
$2,000 |
|
Bukit Timah |
* |
|
Central |
$2,800 |
|
Choa Chu Kang |
$2,000 |
|
Clementi |
$2,500 |
|
Geylang |
$2,400 |
|
Hougang |
$2,030 |
|
Jurong East |
$2,200 |
|
Jurong West |
$2,150 |
|
Kallang/ Whampoa |
$2,500 |
|
Marine Parade |
$2,200 |
|
Pasir Ris |
$2,050 |
|
Punggol |
$2,000 |
|
Queenstown |
$2,750 |
|
Sembawang |
$1,900 |
|
Sengkang |
$2,100 |
|
Serangoon |
$2,300 |
|
Tampines |
$2,200 |
|
Toa Payoh |
$2,300 |
|
Woodlands |
$1,900 |
|
Yishun |
$2,000 |
Sources: HDB Rental Statistics, HDB Market Rental Rates
Looking at the HDB rental transactions in Q3 2021, we would estimate HDB rental flat prices for a 4-room flat to range from $1,900 to $2,800/month.
For families on a budget, Pasir Ris, Punggol, and Yishun are all good places to rent. HDB rental prices here are about $2,000/month. These neighbourhoods aren’t very close to the city centre, but they make up for their locations with outdoor spaces and amusement parks for kids to burn off their energy.
Related article: 8 Benefits of Living Near Nature
Those seeking east-side accommodation may want to look for an HDB 4-room rental flat in Marine Parade or Bedok, where HDB rental prices are about $2,200/month. From here, there’s good access to the eateries in Katong and easy access to East Coast Park for bicycle rides.
Browse all HDB 4-room flats for rent on PropertyGuru.
5-Room HDB Flat Rental Prices
|
HDB town |
5-room HDB flat rental price |
|
Ang Mo Kio |
$2,400 |
|
Bedok |
$2,400 |
|
Bishan |
$2,600 |
|
Bukit Batok |
$2,300 |
|
Bukit Merah |
$2,900 |
|
Bukit Panjang |
$2,100 |
|
Bukit Timah |
* |
|
Central |
* |
|
Choa Chu Kang |
$2,000 |
|
Clementi |
$2,700 |
|
Geylang |
$2,860 |
|
Hougang |
$2,200 |
|
Jurong East |
$2,400 |
|
Jurong West |
$2,350 |
|
Kallang/ Whampoa |
$2,600 |
|
Marine Parade |
* |
|
Pasir Ris |
$2,300 |
|
Punggol |
$2,000 |
|
Queenstown |
$3,000 |
|
Sembawang |
$2,050 |
|
Sengkang |
$2,100 |
|
Serangoon |
$2,500 |
|
Tampines |
$2,300 |
|
Toa Payoh |
$2,600 |
|
Woodlands |
$2,000 |
|
Yishun |
$2,150 |
Sources: HDB Rental Statistics, HDB Market Rental Rates
The HDB rental transactions for 5-room flats in Q3 2021 tell us that median HDB rental rates range from $2,000 to $3,000/month, depending on location.
Space is likely to be your main priority if you’re looking to rent a 5-room HDB flat. Snag one for $2,000/month in neighbourhoods like Choa Chu Kang, Woodlands, Sembawang, or Punggol if you don’t mind the distance from town.
But if you’re looking to live in city-fringe neighbourhoods like Bukit Merah or Queenstown, be prepared to fork out closer to $3,000/month as the HDB rental rates here can be quite steep!
Browse all HDB 5-room flats for rent on PropertyGuru.
More FAQs about HDB Rental Prices
How Much Does HDB Rental Flat Cost?
Based on HDB rental transactions in Q3 2021, the current HDB rental rate for a 4-room flat ranges from $1,900 to $2,800 per month, depending on location.
What Is the Market Rental Rate?
For median HDB rental flat prices by town, refer to the HDB Rental Statistics for a quick snapshot. If you want rental data that is more specific to a certain location, check HDB Market Rental Rates instead.
Can Singaporean Rent HDB?
Both Singapore citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents (PRs) can rent HDB flats on the open market with no restrictions. You can choose between renting the entire flat, or renting a room.
Can Expats Rent HDB in Singapore?
Expats can rent HDB flats on the open market. You must be a legal resident in Singapore with a valid Employment Pass, S Pass, Work Permit, Student Pass, Dependant Pass, or Long-Term Social Visit Pass. Note that tourists are not allowed to rent HDB flats.
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This article was written by Mary Wu, who hopes to share what she’s learnt from her home-buying and renovation journey with PropertyGuru readers. When she’s not writing, she’s usually baking up a storm or checking out a new cafe in town.
