The amount that you will have to pay for rental stamp duty is dependant on the average annual rent (AAR). So on any lease period of 4 years or less, it is just 0.4% of total rent for the period of the lease. If it is a lease period of more than 4 years(which is very uncommon) it will be 0.4% of 4 times the AAR for the period of the lease.
If you are reading this right now, congrats! Finding a suitable home is probably the toughest process of the whole rental exercise, so everything else from then on will seem like a walk in the park. So now that you have signed your tenancy agreement you will have to pay the rental stamp duty on the TA to IRAS (Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore). The good news is that Singapore is mightily efficient and paying the rental stamp duty is an easy enough process.
How to calculate rental stamp duty?
You will have to pay rental stamp duty on any AAR exceeding $1,000 (which is basically everyone). AAR includes consideration for other payments such as:
1. Advertising and promotion
2. Furniture and fittings
3. Maintenance
4. Service
5. Any other charges, excluding GST charges

So who pays for the stamp duty?
It is common practice in Singapore for the tenants to pay the rental stamp duty for tenancy agreements.
When should it be paid?
The rental stamp duty should be paid within 14 days if the tenancy agreement is signed in Singapore. If it is signed overseas, you will be given 30 days. Do not forget to pay as there are late payment penalties involved!
More from Stacked
PLH Model HDB Flats VS Other “Prime” Resale Flats: How Do They Stack Up?
The first PLH model flats, River Peaks I & II, are part of the November BTO launch. It’s crunch time…
Is it compulsory to pay for the rental stamp duty?
In order for the agreement to be binding, the stamp duty has to be paid. If you are a landlord you can take action against tenants who fail to pay on time or decide that they would not pay for it after signing the tenancy agreement.
For late payments not exceeding 3 months, a penalty of $10 or an amount equal to the duty payable, whichever is greater, will be imposed.
For late payments exceeding 3 months, a penalty of $25 or 4 times of the duty payable, whichever is greater, will be imposed.
What if the rent is increased?
If in the situation that the rental amount is increased or tenancy lease is extended, stamp duty will be payable based on the increase in rental or the rental for the extended lease. The good news is that if there is a decrease in rental or the lease is shortened you do not have to do anything!
There are also other variations where the rental stamp duty will not have to be paid:
1. Changing the use of the property with no additional payment
2. Lifting the restrictions in the lease with no additional payment
3. Amending the terms of the lease that do not affect the rental and lease term such as addition of an option to renew
As always, feel free to leave a comment below or you can reach us at hello@stackedhomes.com!
Sean
Sean has a writing experience of 3 years and is currently with Stacked Homes focused on general property research, helping to pen articles focused on condos. In his free time, he enjoys photography and coffee tasting.Read next from Rental Market

Rental Market Is Singapore’s Rental Market Really Softening? We Break Down The 2024 Numbers By Unit Size

Editor's Pick The Cheapest Condos For Rent In 2024: Where To Find 1/2 Bedders For Rent From $1,700 Per Month

Rental Market Where To Find The Cheapest Landed Homes To Rent In 2024 (From $3,000 Per Month)

Rental Market Where To Find High Rental Yield Condos From 5.3% (In Actual Condos And Not Apartments)
Latest Posts

Pro Are Older One- and Two-Bedders in District 10 Holding Up Against the New Launches? We Break It Down

Property Market Commentary Are Singapore’s Oldest HDB Flats Finally Losing Value? A 2025 Price Update

Singapore Property News The World’s Real Estate Is Now Worth US$393 Trillion In 2025. Here’s Where Singapore Fits In

Property Trends The Room That Changed the Most in Singapore Homes: What Happened to Our Kitchens?

Landed Home Tours We Toured A Unique Landed Street Where No One Has Sold a Property for 14 Years

Singapore Property News Why Old ECs Now Make More Sense Than Million-Dollar Flats

New Launch Condo Reviews Skye At Holland Condo Review: Attractive Entry Price To Holland Village From $2,598 PSF

On The Market A Rare 1930s Art Deco Home In Alexandra With 33,000 Sq Ft of Land Is Up For Rent

On The Market The Cheapest 4-Room HDB Flats Still Available Right Now – From $410,000

Pro Old vs New Family-Sized Condos in District 9: A Data-Driven Analysis of Value in 2025

Property Market Commentary 5 Ways Singapore’s Condo Layouts Have Changed Over The Years (And What We No Longer Value)

Editor's Pick Why These “Ulu” Estates May Be The Next Property Investment Hotspots In Singapore (By 2035)

On The Market 5 Biggest Condos In Singapore You Can Buy Right Now For Less Than $1.8M

Pro Are Older One- and Two-Bedders in District 9 Holding Up Against the New Launches? We Break It Down

Property Advice 5 Telltale Signs to Watch Before Property Prices Move In Singapore
