# Stamp Duty on Leases

- Topic: Taxes & duties
- Last updated: 6 Nov 2026
- Fact-checked against official government sources: 6 Nov 2026
- Canonical URL: https://propertymeter.sg/glossary/lease-stamp-duty/

## What is stamp duty on a lease?

Stamp duty on leases is a tax on tenancy agreements in Singapore. It is 0.4% of the total rent for leases of up to four years, or 0.4% of four times the average annual rent for longer leases. Leases with an average annual rent of $1,000 or less are exempt. The tenant pays unless the agreement says otherwise.

## Key facts

- **Lease of 4 years or less:** 0.4% of the total rent for the lease period
- **Lease of more than 4 years, or indefinite:** 0.4% of 4 times the average annual rent
- **Exempt:** Leases with an average annual rent of $1,000 or less
- **Rent used:** The contractual rent or the market rent, whichever is higher
- **Who pays:** The tenant, unless the tenancy agreement says otherwise
- **Deadline:** Within 14 days of signing in Singapore; 30 days after receipt if signed overseas

## How lease stamp duty works

Every lease or tenancy agreement for property in Singapore is a dutiable document. The rate is the same for homes and other property; what changes is the length of the lease.

| Lease length | Stamp duty |
| --- | --- |
| Up to 4 years | 0.4% × total rent for the lease |
| More than 4 years, or no fixed end | 0.4% × (4 × average annual rent) |
| Average annual rent of $1,000 or less | Exempt |

IRAS uses the contractual rent or the market rent, whichever is higher. The average annual rent can include certain other charges, such as maintenance and service charges.

## Example

You rent a condo for two years at $4,000 a month.

| Step | Amount |
| --- | --- |
| Total rent | $4,000 × 24 = $96,000 |
| Stamp duty (0.4%) | $384 |
| Pay by | 14 days after signing |

IRAS's own example: a 5-year lease with rent rising from $1,800 to $3,300 a month has total rent of $151,200 and an average annual rent of $30,240. Duty is 0.4% of $120,960 (4 × $30,240), or $483 after rounding down.

## Common mistakes

- **Assuming the landlord pays.** By default the tenant pays, unless the agreement says otherwise.
- **Missing the 14-day deadline.** Late stamping can attract a penalty of up to four times the duty.
- **Stating a below-market rent.** IRAS charges duty on the higher of the contractual and market rent.

## Frequently asked questions

### Do I pay stamp duty on a room rental?

Stamp duty is payable on lease documents. If the average annual rent is $1,000 or less, the lease is exempt. A licence agreement may not be liable if it is not in fact a lease; check the IRAS rules for your arrangement.

### What if I pay stamp duty late?

IRAS can impose a penalty of up to four times the duty on documents that are unstamped, stamped late or insufficiently stamped.

### How is the duty rounded?

It is rounded down to the nearest dollar, with a minimum of $1.

## Sources

1. [Renting a property (stamp duty on leases)](https://www.iras.gov.sg/taxes/stamp-duty/for-property/renting-a-property) (IRAS)
2. [Who should pay stamp duty](https://www.iras.gov.sg/taxes/stamp-duty/for-property/basics-of-stamp-duty-for-property/who-should-pay-stamp-duty) (IRAS)
3. [Learning the basics of stamp duty for property](https://www.iras.gov.sg/taxes/stamp-duty/for-property/basics-of-stamp-duty-for-property/learning-the-basics-for-properties) (IRAS)

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Source: PropertyMeter (https://propertymeter.sg/glossary/lease-stamp-duty/). General information only, not financial, legal or tax advice.