Foreigners can rent private apartments and landed properties, as long as they have a valid long-term permit to stay in Singapore. It is illegal for landlords to provide accommodation for illegal immigrants, so a proof of valid stay is required when renting an apartment – typically an employment or student pass. However, renting out a whole HDB apartment is subject to approval from HDB and the tenant is advised to check that the landlord has the permission.
As in many other countries, Singapore has restrictions on foreign ownership of property. The Singapore government has recently relaxed the restrictions in order to attract foreign investment as well as foreign talent as part of a drive to increase Singapore’s population and economy – although few people expect the restrictions on land ownership to be lifted any time soon. There are currently no restrictions for foreigners to buy private apartments. However, foreigners cannot buy landed properties without specific case-by-case approval from the government. And even then there are restrictions on the use of the property e.g. most cannot be rented out unless in a mixed commercial and residential area.
Foreigners holding Singapore ‘Permanent Residency’ or ‘Citizenship’ status can also buy HDB apartments directly from the government or through the re-sale market. To qualify for the HDB scheme:
- Applicant must either be a Singapore citizen or PR with at least one other sibling who is a PR.
- Applicants must be at least 21 years old.
- Applicants must form a family nucleus – either married or intending to get married; or with parents, siblings and/or children.
- (Optional) The combined income of all persons in the application must not exceed S$8,000 a month in order to qualify for CPF Housing Grant.
HDB has other schemes for special cases – please check http://www.hdb.gov.sg/ for details.