Pay your rent, care for the home, report problems early, and follow the terms you actually agreed to. Know the difference between a legal requirement and a contractual responsibility.
Official references checked: 10 October 2026 · Singapore
This table covers common situations for private residential rentals, with HDB differences highlighted where relevant. “TA” means tenancy agreement. The last column helps you identify what to check before assuming a rule applies.
| Responsibility | When? | What should the tenant do? | Depends on |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01. Pay rent on time | Every rental due date | Pay the amount stated in the TA by the agreed date and method. Keep transfer records. Notify the landlord promptly if there is a payment problem. | TA |
| 02. Pay utilities and agreed charges | When bills are due | Pay electricity, water, gas, internet and other charges allocated to you under the TA. Do not assume all utilities are included in rent. | TA |
| 03. Keep the home reasonably clean | Throughout the lease | Keep kitchens, bathrooms, drains and living areas hygienic; dispose of rubbish properly and take reasonable steps to avoid preventable pests or damage. | TA / reasonable upkeep |
| 04. Arrange aircon servicing | At the frequency stated in the TA | If your TA requires servicing, use the specified or suitable contractor, follow the agreed frequency and retain invoices. Three-monthly servicing is found in some templates but is not a universal law. | TA |
| 05. Report faults, leaks and defects promptly | As soon as noticed | Send a clear description and photos to the landlord or appointed contact. Report water leaks, electrical hazards, failed locks or other urgent safety issues immediately. Take reasonable steps to limit further damage safely. | TA / safety |
| 06. Handle minor repairs as agreed | When something breaks | Read the minor-repair clause, its dollar cap and exclusions. Ask for approval before arranging works if required. A repair cap is negotiated, not fixed by Singapore law. | TA |
| 07. Take care of fixtures, furniture and appliances | Daily | Use items properly, avoid misuse and notify the landlord if something fails. Responsibility for replacement depends on the cause, the TA and fair wear and tear—not simply the age of the item. | TA |
| 08. Avoid unauthorised alterations | Before any work | Obtain written consent where required before drilling, painting, installing fittings, changing locks or making alterations. Also comply with building or management rules. | TA / building rules |
| 09. Use the premises for permitted residential purposes | Throughout the lease | Do not operate illegal short-term accommodation. URA's private-home minimum stay is three consecutive months; HDB rentals have separate rules. Follow the property's approved use and occupancy limits. | Law / regulation |
| 10. Keep occupant details and passes accurate | When anyone moves in or out | Ensure occupants comply with the property's eligibility and occupancy rules. For HDB, only authorised tenants may stay. Inform the landlord when approvals or registrations must be updated. Visitors are not automatically prohibited; check the TA and applicable rules. | Law / TA |
| 11. Do not sublet or add paying occupants without proper approval | Before any subletting | Check the TA and obtain necessary consent and regulatory approval. A tenant cannot assume that spare bedrooms may be sublet or used for short-term stays. | Law / TA |
| 12. Follow pet and estate rules | Throughout the lease | Keep pets only if permitted by the TA and applicable HDB/condo rules. Observe noise, cleanliness, common-area and neighbour-related requirements. | TA / estate rules |
| 13. Allow access as agreed | When valid access is requested | Cooperate with inspections, repairs or viewings under the TA's notice and appointment provisions. The landlord does not automatically have unrestricted entry simply because they own the property. | TA |
| 14. Keep records and plan for expiry | Throughout; especially near lease end | Keep servicing receipts, photos, repair approvals and payment records. Check notice, renewal, cleaning, reinstatement and handover clauses well before the lease ends. | TA |
Who pays when something breaks?
It depends on the cause and the TA. A tenant may be responsible for damage caused by misuse or negligence. Ordinary wear and tear, major replacements and existing defects may be treated differently. The negotiated minor-repair clause can also allocate costs.
For example, if an aircon stops cooling, report the fault and provide your servicing records. Do not assume either party must pay until the cause and applicable clause are checked. If a contractor is needed, follow the agreed approval process.
Read: Minor Repairs → Read: Repairs & Responsibility → End-of-Tenancy Timeline → Compare: Landlord Responsibilities →
A simple routine to follow
Every month
Pay rent on time, check utilities, keep the unit clean and report problems before they worsen.
When servicing is due
Arrange aircon or other maintenance only as required by your TA. Keep the receipts.
When something changes
Check with the landlord before adding occupants, subletting, keeping a new pet or altering the property.
Before moving out
Review the handover, cleaning, reinstatement and notice provisions. Arrange a condition check and return all keys and access devices.
What should a tenant do when something breaks during the lease?
A bathroom tap becomes loose and a dryer starts making a strange noise. The tenant continues using them for weeks, then reports more serious damage at move-out. Early reporting would have made the issue easier to assess.
What to do next
- Report faults promptly with photos or a short video.
- Keep rent, utilities and any agreed aircon-servicing records organised.
- Ask before carrying out repairs, drilling, changing locks or alterations where consent is required.
- Keep a running list of reported issues and written approvals for handover.
JC’s practical takeaway: A tenant's duties come from a mix of applicable rules, the tenancy agreement and reasonable care; not every common practice is law.
Tenant's practical decision guide
Not every tenant responsibility comes from a Singapore-wide law. Separate legal requirements, terms of your signed agreement and good habits.
Pay rent by the agreed date, retain proof of payment and promptly flag billing discrepancies.
Take photos, report promptly, check the repair clause and seek approval before non-emergency works.
Check written permission for pets, extra occupants, alterations or subletting; regulatory requirements may also apply.
Example: aircon starts dripping
- Switch off the unit if continuing to run it may cause damage.
- Record the leak and notify the landlord or managing agent.
- Retrieve servicing receipts and check your aircon maintenance clause.
- Agree on diagnosis, access and costs before repair work, except urgent safety steps.
JC's takeaway: Report early. Delays can turn a small defect into a bigger disagreement.
Official Singapore references
These sources explain the regulations and provide negotiable tenancy templates. Check them for updates.
General educational information only. No blanket repair cap, aircon servicing interval, guest ban or one-month defect warranty applies to every Singapore tenancy. Read the actual agreement and current regulatory requirements before acting.