What will moving in cost?

Renting in Singapore usually means paying several months at once before you get the keys. Here is what makes up that figure, and how much of it you get back.

The lease

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Monthly rent

Lease length

Agent commission you pay

In Singapore the landlord usually pays the agent for a two-year lease, or for a one-year lease above about $3,500 a month. Below that, or on shorter leases, a tenant's agent often charges the tenant half a month to one month's rent. Nothing here is fixed by law, so confirm it before you sign.

Anything else due on signing

Utility deposit, handover cleaning, aircon servicing.

Due before you move in

$48K

$48,298

You get back at the end

$31,200

2 months' deposit

Gone for good

$17,098

Rent, duty and fees

The breakdown

A 2-year lease at $15,600 a month.

Security deposit2 months — the usual one month per year of lease. Refundable.$31,200

First month's rent, in advance$15,600

0.4% of the rent over the term. The tenant normally pays this, within 14 days of signing.$1,498

Total before you get the keys$48,298

Over the whole lease you would pay $374,400 in rent.

Worth knowing

The deposit is refundable, but landlords may deduct for damage beyond fair wear and tear, or if you break the lease early. Take dated photographs at handover and keep the inventory list.
Ask for a diplomatic clause if there is any chance you leave Singapore. It normally lets you end a two-year lease after twelve months with two months' notice, and is rarely offered on a one-year lease.
Minor repairs are usually the tenant's up to a fixed amount per item per month. Check what that figure is before you sign.
Stamp duty is paid to IRAS, not the agent. An unstamped tenancy agreement cannot be used as evidence in court. IRAS: Stamp duty on leases

An estimate, not financial advice. Deposits and agent fees are matters of convention and negotiation, not law. Rates and limits were last checked against the official sources on 2026-09-12. Banks, lawyers and IRAS have the final say — confirm before you commit.