Signed the tenancy? Remember the stamp duty

What is rental stamp duty?

IRAS generally requires stamp duty on documents for renting immovable property in Singapore, calculated using the higher of contractual rent or market rent. The Stamp Certificate is evidence that the agreement has been stamped.

For leases with average annual rent not exceeding S$1,000, duty is exempt. Above that threshold, a lease of four years or less is charged at 0.4% of total rent over the lease period. For a lease longer than four years or of indefinite duration, the calculation uses 0.4% of four times the average annual rent. Duty is rounded down to the nearest dollar, with a minimum of one dollar for a chargeable lease.

A calculation example

Assume a fixed monthly rent of S$4,200 for two years, with no other chargeable items. Total rent is S$4,200 × 24 = S$100,800. At 0.4%, this is S$403.20, rounded down to S$403.

This is a calculation example, not a quotation for a property. Stepped rent, rent-free periods or other charges should be recalculated according to the IRAS rules or calculator.

Keep the move-in documents together

• The full tenancy agreement signed by both parties and any signed supplements.
• The stamp certificate and payment record.
• The handover and inventory lists, with photographs taken at handover.
• Accessible copies of the repair, servicing and deposit terms.

At signing, confirm who will arrange and pay for stamping, and the applicable deadline. A deposit receipt is not proof that the agreement has been stamped.