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Is prior approval required to use a residential premise as a HO?
Private residential premises
The change of use of private residential premises for HO will be
automatically authorised once the proposed HO is registered with URA.
Registration with URA is required to ensure that the business complies
with the HO guidelines before it is allowed to operate.
The residential character of the private and public housing estates
must not be compromised. If the HO use creates disamenities and
results in complaints, the use may be required to terminate.
HDB Residential Flats
Applicants who wish to use their HDB residential flats for HO
are required to seek prior approval from HDB. No further approval
from or registration with URA is required.
Executive Condominium (EC)
Applicants who wish to use their EC flats for HO are required
to register with URA. No approval from HDB is required.
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What is the rationale for limiting the number of non-residents
engaged in the business to a maximum of 2?
The limit of 2 non-residents engaged in the business is intended
to ensure that the scale of the business activity is kept small
so as to minimise the possible disamenity to the neighbouring
residential properties.
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Why are uses like conducting tuition classes, dress
making/embroidery lessons, repair of household appliances,
electrical products, footwear, etc, beauty/hair-dressing and
massage therapy services not allowed under the new HO Scheme?
These uses are not allowed under the new HO Scheme because
the scale of activities with external employees and visitors/customers
could cause disturbance and adversely affect the amenity of the neighbours.
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Am I allowed to carry out small businesses in my home if
I do not employ any external persons outside the household?
Small scale businesses undertaken by the resident himself/herself
without the employment of external persons can be permitted in
residential premises without planning permission provided the
operation does not cause any disturbance, noise, smell, fumes nuisance
or other amenities problems to the neighbours.
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What is the validity period for the HO authorisation?
Upon successful registration with URA, a one-time permit for home office use will be granted.
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Do I need to register my business with ACRA?
Yes, under the scheme you are required to register your business
with ACRA unless the businesses are exempted from registration
under the Business Registration Act. For more details, please
contact the ACRA directly by clicking Here.
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Why is the display of signage disallowed?
The display of signage in the residential areas may affect the
amenity of areas and the residents who use the residential premises
primarily for dwelling purposes. It may also alter the residential
character of our housing estates.
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Do I have to submit the Management Corporation's approval
to URA before I can register the HO use?
All HO use in private residential premises must be registered with
URA and comply with the prevailing HO guidelines. There is no need
to submit the MC's approval to URA for HO registration.
However, you are advised to seek the approval of the Management
Corporation to ensure that the HO use is in accordance with the
by-laws of the development.
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Who can apply?
Anyone who are owners/tenants/authorised occupiers of private
residential properties.
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Can a tenant of a private residential property use their
rented premises as a home office under the scheme?
Yes, a tenant is allowed to register his/her rented residential
premises for HO use with URA provided that he/she has obtained
the prior consent from the owner.
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Am I required to pay any fee and how is the fee to be paid?
Why is a fee required?
Yes, a non-refundable administration fee of $20(inclusive of GST)
is required when you register the HO use with URA via Online Business
Licensing Service (OBLS). You can use either Visa, MasterCard,
Direct Debit through Internet Bank Account and FlexiPay.
The fee is to cover some operating expenditure.
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How long will it take URA to respond to me?
The HO use authorisation will be issued immediately when the HO
use is successfully registered and payment received.
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Do I need to obtain any approval from other government agencies?
The user has to obtain all relevant approvals and permits from other
government agencies when necessary, before commencing the HO use.
For fire safety, the Fire Safety and Shelter Bureau(FSSB) requires
the HO user to comply with the following requirements although no
separate approval from FSSB is needed:
- Self-contained smoke detector shall be installed in the unit
to cover the office area
- Each residential unit shall be maintained as a fire
compartment at all times. There should be no opening or removal
of separating wall to combine multiple units into one
- Suitable types of fire extinguisher (water or multi-purpose type)
shall be installed within the unit to cover the office area.
For any clarifications on FSSB requirements, click
here to contact FSSB directly.
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What if I wish to terminate the use of my unit as a HO?
No approval from URA is required if you wish to terminate the HO use. The
premises shall be reverted back to residential use.
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Am I allowed to vary the scope of my business after I have
obtained authorisation for my HO use?
If you wish to vary the scope of your business, you will have to
ensure that the business complies with the guidelines of the HO
Scheme. There is no need for you to register the HO again.
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What will happen if any of the terms and conditions of the
HO scheme is infringed upon?
Non-compliance of the conditions or the planning guidelines will
be subject to enforcement action. The HO authorisation may be terminated.
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Is development charge (DC) payable for HO use?
No DC is leviable for the change of use from a premises approved
for residential use to HO use provided there is no additions/alterations
work being proposed to increase the floor area of the residential unit.
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If my application for a HO is authorised, what would be
the property tax rate that is applicable to me?
As long as the HDB flats and private properties are still being
principally occupied by the owners as residences, the owner-occupier
concessionary tax rate would continue to apply. The owner-occupier
concessionary rate is 4%.
For more clarifications, please click
here to contact the Property Tax Department (IRAS) directly.
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Can money lending business be allowed under the HO scheme?
Money lending business cannot be allowed in residential premises as the
activities may attract extraneous human and vehicular traffic and cause
amenity problems to the surrounding neighbourhood.
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Frequently Asked Questions