The short answer
Shophouse rents in Singapore are not set by one published rate. They are quoted per square foot per month, or as a monthly sum for the whole unit, and vary by street, floor, frontage, approved use and fit-out condition. Ground-floor F&B on established dining streets generally commands a premium over upper-floor space.
- Quoted as
- Per sq ft per month, or monthly sum
- Biggest driver
- Street and micro-location
- Benchmark with
- URA rental indices and nearby lettings
- GST
- 9% if landlord is registered (since 1 Jan 2024)
Last reviewed 2026-11-05. Rules and fees change; confirm with the relevant agency before committing to a lease or fit-out.
What drives shophouse rent
| Driver | Effect on rent | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Street and micro-location | Strongest driver | Footfall, MRT access and dining or nightlife clustering |
| Floor level | Ground floor usually highest | Frontage visibility; upper floors suit offices and studios |
| Approved use and licences | F&B-ready units rent faster | Saves the tenant change of use time and risk |
| Kitchen, extraction and grease trap | Can lift rent | Hard to retrofit in conservation façades |
| Five-foot way and frontage | Visibility and outdoor use potential | Outdoor seating needs separate approval |
| Condition and fit-out | Shell vs fitted changes the deal | Rent-free fit-out periods are commonly negotiated |
| Lease length and rent review | Longer terms can support better rates | Landlords price in vacancy risk |
How to benchmark a rent quote
URA publishes rental indices for retail and office space, and its REALIS database records commercial rental transactions. These help you set a range, though shophouses are heterogeneous and indices are not a substitute for comparable lettings on the same street.
- Ask for the last two lettings on the same street, with floor and use.
- Convert every quote to the same basis: rent per month, per sq ft, excluding GST.
- Check whether the quote includes service charges, signage rights or outdoor seating.
- Compare the effective rent after rent-free months, not just the headline.
Compare the effective rent after incentives, not the headline.
Headline rent versus effective rent
A quoted monthly rent hides the true cost. Rent-free periods, tenant contributions to fit-out, reinstatement obligations and GST all change what you actually pay. Compare offers by working out the total cash cost over the committed term, then divide by the number of months.
Sources and where to verify
See also our shophouses for rent hub and the commercial shophouse permitted uses overview.