Understand scheme’s provisions and guidelines

Step 2: Understand scheme’s provisions and guidelines

Once you have determined which scheme your home business falls under, you need to understand the scheme’s regulations that apply to your business.

Guidelines for Home-Based Business Scheme

Licence required?

• No, but the business is to be operated by owners, registered occupants or tenants of the residential property only (with consent from the property owners).

Business Registration

• For more information, visit Start-up Guide.

Business Activities

• Should not be illegal, unlawful or immoral (e.g. gambling or pornography-related activities).

• Should not adversely affect your neighbours’ living environment, or cause danger to human lives, damage to properties or nuisance (e.g. noise, smoke, odour, dust, litter, high human or vehicular traffic).

• Should not adversely affect the character, ambience and environment of the residential estate.

• Should not involve the use of heavy equipment or appliances not meant for domestic use.

• No large-scale storage or frequent loading and unloading of goods, especially for bulky items or use of the residential premises as a distribution centre.

Engaging Employees

• Not allowed.

Advertising

• Advertisements, signages, or posters are not allowed to be displayed at the residential premises.

• Physical advertising (e.g. distribution of posters, flyers, door-door visitations) or selling of physical goods in and around the residential premises are not allowed.

Other Requirements

• The activities must comply with the rules and regulations of other authorities (e.g. Singapore Food Agency for food safety and hygiene, Fire Safety and Shelter Department for fire safety requirements).

• For condominium developments, the homeowner / resident should check directly with the Management Corporation Strata Title (MCST) / Managing Agent (MA) of the development on whether their activity complies with the by-laws and regulations of the development. The MCST / MA can establish whether the resident’s activity has infringed any of the by-laws and regulations of the development and if necessary, to institute house rules, by-laws or resolutions under the relevant provisions of the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act (BMSMA) to address amenity issues in the development.

Guidelines for Home Office Scheme

Licence required?

• Yes. You can submit your application (Singpass login is required) for a home office in a Housing Development Board (HDB) flat or a private property with the property owner’s consent. Instant approval will be granted upon successful submission of your application and payment of a $20 administration fee using your Visa or MasterCard.

• This license is valid for the duration of your home office business.

Business Registration

• For more information, visit Start-up Guide.

Business Activities

• Should not be illegal, unlawful or immoral (e.g. gambling or pornography-related activities).

• Should not adversely affect your neighbours’ living environment, or cause danger to human lives, damage to properties or nuisance (e.g. noise, smoke, odour, dust, litter, high human or vehicular traffic).

• Should not adversely affect the character, ambience and environment of the residential estate.

• Should not involve the use of heavy equipment or appliances not meant for domestic use.

• No large-scale storage or frequent loading and unloading of goods, especially for bulky items or use of the residential premises as a distribution centre.

• For home office, the business should not be on the list of non-permitted business activities under the Home Office scheme.

Engaging Employees

• Up to two external employees (i.e. non-residents) can work from your residence for your home-office business.

Advertising

• Advertisements, signages, or posters are not allowed to be displayed at the residential premises.

• Physical advertising (e.g. distribution of posters, flyers, door-door visitations) or selling of physical goods in and around the residential premises are not allowed.

Other Requirements

• You must comply with the regulations of other government authorities and obtain relevant licences/approvals before commencement of business, and you may visit GoBusiness Licensing Portal to learn more.

• No part of the relevant premises should comprise unauthorised works under the Planning Act (for private residential properties) or H&D Act (for HDB properties).

• In accordance with fire safety requirements set by the Fire Safety and Shelter Department (FSSD), you must install the following in the office area:
  
  - Minimally an 8A/34B ABC Dry Chemical Powder fire extinguisher
  
  - A single-station smoke detector (battery operated, no wiring needed)
  
  Both are readily available at DIY shops.

• For condominium developments, the homeowner / resident should check directly with the Management Corporation Strata Title (MCST) / Managing Agent (MA) of the development on whether their activity complies with the by-laws and regulations of the development. The MCST / MA can establish whether the resident’s activity has infringed any of the by-laws and regulations of the development and if necessary, to institute house rules, by-laws or resolutions under the relevant provisions of the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act (BMSMA) to address amenity issues in the development.