Quick Summary

• Short-term rentals are strictly regulated in Singapore
• < 1 month → Stay in hotels or serviced apartments
• 1–3 months → Try co-living or flexible housing
• 3+ months → Rent a private condo
• Avoid “cheap Airbnb-style” listings in condos — many are illegal

Key Rules You Must Know

• Private condos: Minimum 3-month stay
• HDB flats: Minimum 6-month stay
• Only serviced apartments / hotels allow short stays (<3 months)

Option 1: Serviced Apartments (Best for <1 Month)

Best for: First few days or weeks after arrival

Pros:

• Fully furnished (move-in ready)
• Utilities + WiFi included
• Housekeeping included
• Legal for short stays

Cons:

• More expensive than renting long-term

Examples:

• Dao by Dorsett AMTD Singapore
• Coliwoo Serviced Apartments

Option 2: Co-Living (Best for 1–3 Months)

Best for: Flexible stays without long contracts

Pros:

• Furnished rooms or studios
• Flexible leases (some weekly/monthly)
• Utilities + WiFi included
• Community vibe (good for newcomers)

Cons:

• Smaller spaces
• Less privacy (depending on unit)

Popular providers:

• Cove Singapore
• Figment
• Coliwoo

Option 3: Condo Rental (Best for 3+ Months)

Best for: Settling down after you know your area

Pros:

• More space (good for couples/families)
• Full facilities (pool, gym, security)
• Better value monthly

Cons:

• Minimum 3-month lease
• Setup required (utilities, furniture sometimes)

Best Areas for Newcomers

• Orchard / River Valley → Central, convenient, expat-friendly
• CBD (Tanjong Pagar / Shenton Way) → Close to offices
• One-north / Buona Vista → Tech & research hub
• East Coast / Katong → Lifestyle + near the beach

What to Avoid

• ❌ Cheap short-term condo listings (often illegal)
• ❌ Signing long leases before understanding commute
• ❌ Choosing location based only on price

Simple Recommendation

If you’re new to Singapore:

1. Start with a serviced apartment (1–2 weeks)
2. Move to co-living (1–3 months) if needed
3. Switch to a condo rental (3+ months) once settled

Final Tip

Singapore is compact, but daily commute matters a lot.
Use your short-term stay to test areas before committing long-term.