Renting a home · Can wait

Do I need to stamp my tenancy agreement, and who pays?

General guidance for homes in Singapore. In a condo or other strata building, common property is for the management office; in an HDB flat, your Town Council.

Yes. A tenancy agreement is stamped through IRAS, and unless your agreement says otherwise the tenant pays. For a lease of up to 4 years the duty is 0.4% of the total rent for the whole term.

Check first

  • Does your tenancy agreement say who bears the stamp duty?
  • Was it signed in Singapore? Stamping is penalty-free within 14 days of signing here, 30 days if signed overseas.
  • Do you already have a Stamp Certificate from a previous stamping?

What you can try

  • Work out the duty: 0.4% of the total rent for the lease period, for terms up to 4 years.
  • Stamp it yourself on the IRAS e-Stamping portal (myTax Portal → Stamp Duty → Stamp Lease and Tenancy Documents) and download the Stamp Certificate.
  • Keep the certificate with the agreement. IRAS notes you will need it to pursue disputes, such as a deposit held without reason.
  • If an agent handled stamping, ask for the certificate, not just a receipt.

When to stop and get help

  • The lease was never stamped and a dispute is brewing: stamp it late rather than not at all. Late penalties start at $10 or the duty amount within 3 months, and rise steeply after.
  • Anyone tells you stamping is optional.

Who to contact

  • IRAS (e-Stamping portal) — For stamping, the exact computation and late stamping.
  • Your agent — If one handled the tenancy, confirm what was stamped and get the certificate.

Find your building's management office

Every building in the estate.sg directory lists its management office's number and address.

When to hire someone

Not needed; stamping is a 10-minute self-service task.