We introduced the ROS scheme in November 2007 to boost the vibrancy and competitiveness of HDB shops. Where HDB retailers or local Merchants' Associations (MAs) are keen to spearhead revitalisation efforts, the ROS scheme can help retailers upgrade the shopping environment and carry out promotional events.
<h5>Enhanced ROS Scheme</h5>
The ROS Scheme comprises the following components:
<ul>
 <li>Co-funding for upgrading of common area</li>
 <li>Co-funding for optional shopfront improvement works</li>
 <li>Co-funding for promotional events</li>
 <li>Rent-free periods for tenants to renovate their shops</li>
 <li>Start-up fund for formation of Merchants' Association</li>
</ul>
<h5>Co-funding for upgrading of common area</h5>
Over the years, many MAs have worked with Town Councils and Grassroots Organisations to upgrade the common property in the Town Centres and Neighbourhood Centres to improve the shopping ambience for our residents.
For ROS Batch 8, shop owners will bear 5% of the upgrading cost. HDB and Town Councils will bear the remaining upgrading cost. The budget per shop for upgrading works (inclusive of the shop owner&rsquo;s 5% share) is capped at $35,000.
For rental shops, HDB and Town Councils will bear 100% of the upgrading cost, up to $35,000 per shop.
To support HDB shops to kick-start their revitalisation efforts, HDB will provide a funding of up to $10,000 for MAs to appoint consultants to provide preliminary concepts/artist's impressions of ROS upgrading.
<h5>Co-funding for optional shopfront improvement works</h5>
For shop owners who opt to carry out shopfront improvement works (e.g., replacement of signboard or roller shutter) alongside ROS, HDB will co-fund 80% of the costs, capped at $3,000 per shop. Shop owners will bear the remaining 20%.
<h5>Co-funding for promotional events</h5>
HDB co-funds up to 50% of the costs for MAs&rsquo; promotional events to attract crowds to their towns and neighbourhood centres.
The total funding will be based on the number of MA members, with an annual cap of $500 per sold shop and $1,000 per rental shop. MAs need to plan at least 2 events per year in order to qualify for the funding. The funding can be used to pay for the events&rsquo; publicity and logistical costs.
The co-funding for promotional events will be limited to no more than 6 consecutive years, subject to application each year. For the first 3 years of co-funding, the funding will be capped at 50% of the expenditure, or 50% of the total funding for the year for each event, whichever is lower.
For the fourth to sixth years of the co-funding, the amount will be gradually reduced (fourth year &ndash; 40%, fifth year &ndash; 30%, sixth year &ndash; 20%), subject to yearly application.
<h5>Rent-free renovation period for tenants</h5>
You are encouraged to upgrade your shop and business operations to complement the efforts made to upgrade the shopping facade and to carry out promotional events. If you renovate your shop in conjunction with the overall upgrading/ promotional efforts of the ROS scheme, you can enjoy a rent-free period of up to 1 month.
To enjoy this rent-free period, you need to be an MA member and have rented the shop from us for at least 6 years.
<h5>Start-up fund for formation of Merchants&rsquo; Association (MA)</h5>
For town and neighbourhood centres without an existing MA, a start-up fund of $10,000 is available to encourage retailers to organise themselves and form an MA.

Revitalisation of Shops (ROS) scheme 

Under HDB&rsquo;s Social Enterprise Policy, social enterprises which are members of the Singapore Centre for Social Enterprise (raiSE) can apply for direct allocation of an HDB shop or office space and benefit from a 30% discount in monthly rental rates (up to a maximum discount of $18 per square metre) for a 3-year term, with the option of renewing for another 3 years. The extended period of enjoyment of this discount is to give certainty to these social enterprises. Interested Social Enterprises can contact raiSE at <a href="mailto:enquiries@raiSE.sg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" title="enquiries@raiSE.sg">enquiries@raiSE.sg</a> for more details.
These benefits are also open to businesses that hire persons with disabilities or persons with special needs for at least 20% of their manpower in their premises. Interested businesses can contact SG Enable at <a href="mailto:opendoor@sgenable.sg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" title="opendoor@sgenable.sg">opendoor@sgenable.sg</a> for more details.
<table>
 <tbody>
 <tr>
 <td colspan="2">Eligibility</td>
 <td>Open to Social Enterprises who are a member of raiSE, as well as SG Enable-supported inclusive-hiring businesses (IBs) which hire persons with disabilities/ persons with special needs for more than or equal to 20% of their manpower on premises.</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td colspan="2">Rental Discount Benefits </td>
 <td>30% discount for a 3-year term, with the option of renewing for another 3 years, capped at $18 per square metre.</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td colspan="2">Allocation and Quota 
 </td>
 <td>
 Direct allocation of a shop of their choice from any of HDB&rsquo;s vacant commercial properties, at valuer-assessed market rent. 
 Up to 30 shop spaces will also be made available for direct allocation each year, doubling from the current 15 units. 
 </td>
 </tr>
 </tbody>
</table>
FAQs
Q1 What is HDB&rsquo;s Social Enterprise policy?
A1 Piloted on a small scale from 2012-2019, HDB&rsquo;s Social Enterprise policy provides new and growing social enterprises with shop spaces at subsidised rent. In 2019, the policy was further enhanced and extended to all members of raiSE.
We also expanded the scheme to benefit SG Enable-supported Inclusive-Hiring Businesses (IBs), which hire persons with disabilities/ persons with special needs making up more than 20% of their manpower on premises. 
Q2 Will there be a cap on the number allocated each year, why? 
A2 There will be a cap of about 30 premises allocated each year to keep the scheme sustainable and to retain other HDB shop spaces for other businesses.
Q3 Can existing beneficiaries on board the enhanced scheme (e.g. to enjoy the additional rental discount)? 
A3 Yes, existing beneficiaries will enjoy the 30% rental discounts at their next tenancy renewal if they continue to deliver good social outcomes in the existing HDB premises.

Support for Social Enterprises and SMEs with Inclusive Hiring Practices (Inclusive Business Programme)

The Entrepreneur Scheme was first introduced in 2018 to encourage start-ups or existing businesses with innovative and productive business models to set up businesses in HDB&rsquo;s new generation neighbourhood centres (NCs) by allocating them HDB shop spaces.
To refresh and boost the range of goods and services offered in HDB estates, HDB has enhanced the Entrepreneur Scheme to provide more support for budding entrepreneurs. Eligible start-ups will benefit from a 10% rental discount for their first 3-year tenancy. They will also be allocated HDB shop spaces beyond new neighbourhood centres. This will allow start-ups to operate from HDB shop spaces located in existing town centres, neighbourhood centres and precinct clusters.
HDB&rsquo;s Enhanced Entrepreneur Scheme complements EnterpriseSG&rsquo;s Heartland Innovation &amp; Transformation Programme. Interested applicants can <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.hdb.gov.sg/write-to-us" target="_blank" title="submit a deck">submit a deck</a> (in PDF format) for EnterpriseSG&rsquo;s review. The deck should elaborate on the proposed innovation concept and provide details on how it will be implemented. The deck can also cover:
<ol>
 <li>The value proposition of the proposal</li>
 <li>How the proposal differs from existing concepts</li>
 <li>Digitalisation tools that will be adopted</li>
 <li>The intended business model</li>
 <li>Applicant&rsquo;s portfolio of experience</li>
</ol>
Should you have any further queries on the Enhanced Entrepreneur Scheme, please <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.hdb.gov.sg/write-to-us" target="_blank" title="write to us">write to us</a>.

Enhanced Entrepreneur Scheme

With this solution, eating house operators can accept payment from 20 payment schemes without needing to liaise with different individual payment schemes and acquirers. Payment transactions will be credited directly into your bank account within one day after the close of business for most payment schemes, and within two days for transactions via American Express, Mastercard and Visa. Transaction receipts will be consolidated into a single report for your convenience. The e-payment terminal can also be integrated with your point of sales system for better tracking of sales performance and consumer behaviour.
You will enjoy a low merchant discount rate (MDR) of 0.5% for monthly payment transactions, which is below the average industry MDR of 2% to 5%.
To sign up, please contact NETS at 6274 1212 or <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:CFCepayments@nets.com.sg" title="CFCepayments@nets.com.sg" target="_blank">CFCepayments@nets.com.sg</a>.

E-Payment Solution for Eating Houses

HIP will help you with common maintenance matters related to ageing premises. HIP works are carried out in a systematic and comprehensive manner to minimise any inconvenience.
There are 2 main categories of works under the HIP: essential improvements and optional improvements.&nbsp;
Essential improvements include:
<ul>
 <li>Replacement of waste pipes and pipe sockets</li>
 <li>Repair of spalling concrete and structural checks</li>
 <li>Upgrading of electrical supply</li>
</ul>
Optional improvements include upgrading of toilets/ bathrooms, and replacement of the entrance door and gate, and the refuse chute hopper.

Home Improvement Programme (HIP)

For rental shops, electrical upgrading up to 1 phase 60 amps will be done at no charge. Electrical upgrading above 1 phase 60 amps will be charged at $45 per amp.
For sold shops, electrical upgrading to 1 phase 60 amps will be charged at $45 per amp. Electrical upgrading above 1 phase 60 amps will be charged at $85 per amp.
To let businesses of different scales enjoy this benefit, we have also removed the minimum charge requirement.

Lower Electrical Upgrading Cost

<h3>Rent-free period for renovation works</h3>
We aim to facilitate the upgrading of the overall shopping environment in our estates, and in the process, help our shops improve their business viability. You can enjoy a rent-free period of half a month when you fulfil either of these conditions:
<ul>
 <li>Renovate your shop within the 6-month period after renewing your tenancy</li>
 <li>Renovate your shop in conjunction with the makeover of complexes/rejuvenation programmes, such as Remaking our Heartland, Neighbourhood Renewal Programme, and Town Council improvement works</li>
</ul>
To qualify, you must have rented the shop from us for at least 3 years and fall under the following use classes as defined by the Urban Redevelopment Authority: shop, restaurant, amusement centre, and pet shop. Each tenancy can enjoy the rent-free period a maximum of once every 3 years. When you submit the renovation plans and costs to us, the renovation plans should be holistic and give your shop a refreshing new look with:
<ul>
 <li>A more attractive shop front design</li>
 <li>Better internal layout</li>
 <li>An improved ambience within the shop</li>
</ul>
Upon approval, you can proceed with the renovation works and will receive the rent-free period after the works are completed and verified.
The rent-free benefit does not cover renovation undertaken to rent out part of your shop. If you assign your shop within 6 months from the completion of the renovation works, you need to return the half-month rent to us.
To apply for the half-month rent-free period, please submit the <a href="/-/media/shops-and-offices/business-resources/probusiness-schemes/rent-free-period-form.pdf" target="_blank">application form</a> together with the required supporting documents to HDB within 6 months after renewing your tenancy.
<h3>Higher rental rebates during upgrading</h3>
You will receive a 75%, 50%, or 25% rental rebate if upgrading works are carried out in your shop, block, or precinct respectively.
In situations where upgrading works have caused business operations to stop completely, you will be given a 100% rental rebate.
<h3>Extended rent-free period and revised staggered rent for newly constructed shops</h3>


To help residents access daily necessities near their new homes more quickly, HDB will initiate the tender process earlier and provide more support so that HDB shops in new BTO projects, including coffee shops and supermarkets, can start operating earlier.
We support retailers who are setting up businesses in new BTO projects through 2 key measures:
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm; list-style-type: disc;">
 <li style="margin-left: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Extended rent-free period for all shops in new BTO projects to a maximum of 6 months, for those that start operations within the first 6 months from when the shops obtain their Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP).</li>
 <li style="margin-left: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Revised staggered rent structure for tenants of newly-constructed HDB shops awarded via tenders/ e-bidding launched from 4 March 2026 onwards. Tenants will pay 70% of the tendered rent in the first year, 90% in the second year, and the full tendered rent from the third year onwards.</li>
</ul>
<table style="width: 696.778px; height: 330.222px;">
 <tbody>
 <tr>
 <td style="background-color: #0a676d; text-align: left;">Open by Xth month after shop&rsquo;s TOP</td>
 <td style="background-color: #0a676d; text-align: left;">4th month or earlier&nbsp;</td>
 <td style="background-color: #0a676d; text-align: left;">5th month&nbsp;</td>
 <td style="background-color: #0a676d; text-align: left;">6th month&nbsp;</td>
 <td style="background-color: #0a676d; text-align: left;">7th month onwards&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left;">Amount of rent-free period</td>
 <td colspan="4" style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left;">3 months 
 </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="background-color: #f7f7f7; text-align: left;">Additional rent-free period&nbsp;</td>
 <td style="background-color: #f7f7f7; text-align: left;">3 months&nbsp;</td>
 <td style="background-color: #f7f7f7; text-align: left;">2 months</td>
 <td style="background-color: #f7f7f7; text-align: left;">1 month</td>
 <td style="background-color: #f7f7f7; text-align: left;">NIL&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left;">Total rent-free period</td>
 <td style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left;">6 months</td>
 <td style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left;">5 months</td>
 <td style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left;">4 months</td>
 <td style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left;">3 months</td>
 </tr>
 </tbody>
</table>

* To qualify for the additional rent-free period, the coffee shop must have at least two food stalls and one drinks stall operational.
<h3>Staggered rent for tenancy renewals</h3>
To assist tenants who renew their tenancy for more than a year, and whose rents are increased by more than 10% at renewal, we will adjust the rents gradually over the renewal period.
<table>
 <thead>
 <tr>
 <th>% of Rent Increase</th>
 <th>1st Year*</th>
 <th>2nd Year</th>
 <th>3rd Year^</th>
 </tr>
 </thead>
 <tbody>
 <tr>
 <td>&le; 10%</td>
 <td>Market rent (no staggering)</td>
 <td>Market rent</td>
 <td>Market rent</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>&gt; 10% to 20%</td>
 <td>Up 10% from existing rent</td>
 <td>Market rent</td>
 <td>Market rent</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>&gt; 20%</td>
 <td>Up 10% from existing rent</td>
 <td>Up 20% from existing rent</td>
 <td>Market rent</td>
 </tr>
 </tbody>
</table>
* 1st year if renewal is for a 2-year term 
^ 2nd year if renewal is for a 2-year term
You can renew your tenancy for a 1, 2, or 3-year term. You can also choose shorter-term tenancies if you expect market rents to fall over time.
<h3>Renting out of shop space</h3>
If you would like to scale down your business operations, you can rent out up to 50% of the shop space to 1 sub-tenant.
<h3>Instalment plan for tenants in arrears</h3>
If you are in financial hardship, you can pay your arrears by instalments.
<h3>Change of trade</h3>
Since August 2002, you only need to notify us through a standard notification form and submit the administrative fee of $100 (excluding GST) to engage in an approved trade. Fees differ for rental shops and HDB shopping complexes. An acknowledgement letter will be issued on the same day, and you can start your new trade immediately.
Since 11 March 2011, you can change your trades to non-retail uses, such as offices, office-related trades, showroom, sale of take-away food, and single-operator family restaurant. However, you cannot change trades to uses that will inconvenience residents, such as eating houses and industrial trades.
<h3>Use of HDB premises for related business operations</h3>
If you wish to make changes to your business operations, refer to <a href="/-/media/shops-and-offices/business-resources/probusiness-schemes/Scenarios-v3.pdf">this list of&nbsp;scenarios</a>&nbsp;for guidance on:
<ul>
 <li>Using the address of your HDB premises for business registration with ACRA </li>
 <li>Putting up a different signboard for branding or franchise purposes</li>
</ul>
Depending on the scenario, you may need to notify HDB or seek our approval by&nbsp;<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.hdb.gov.sg/write-to-us" target="_blank">writing to us</a>.
<h3> Higher ex-gratia payment under clearance / Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme</h3>
The ex-gratia payment will be increased from $48,000 to $60,000 for tenants affected by land clearance or Selective En-bloc Redevelopment Scheme. Shop tenants eligible for ex-gratia include:
<ul>
 <li>Tenders before 4 March 1999</li>
 <li>Assignments before 1 June 1999</li>
 <li>Businesses fully owned by Singapore Citizens</li>
</ul>
<h3>Reduced rental deposits for discharged bankrupts</h3>
If you are a discharged bankrupt who would like to take up an HDB shop, you only need to pay a 1-month rental deposit. You also need not have a personal guarantor. Previously, you would have to pay a 2-month deposit and have 2 personal guarantors.

Other Pro-Business Measures for Shop Tenants

Enterprise Singapore is the government agency championing enterprise development. The agency works with committed companies to build capabilities, innovate and internationalise.
It also supports the growth of Singapore as a hub for global trading and startups, and builds trust in Singapore&rsquo;s products and services through quality and standards.
Find out how <a href="https://www.enterprisesg.gov.sg/">Enterprise Singapore</a> can work with you to grow your business.

Pro-Business Schemes

Recommended

Pro-Business Schemes

Application Guidelines for Renting an HDB Shop or Office from Open Market