URA lists private tuition for up to three students at a time as an activity permitted under Singapore’s Home-Based Business Scheme. For a condo, the activity must remain small-scale and the property must continue to be a home. The scheme has conditions on who can operate the business and how it affects neighbours.
If you rent the condo, get the owner’s consent. Check the tenancy terms and applicable estate by-laws as well. Work out how students will arrive and leave, especially if lessons run back to back. Read URA’s Home-Based Business Scheme rules.
- Count the students in each session and check when groups overlap.
- Confirm the operator lives at the property and has the relevant consent.
- Review arrival, waiting and pickup arrangements.
- Check the rules before adding teachers or increasing the number of students.
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Check how the lessons would actually run
| Proposed arrangement | What to review |
|---|---|
| Three students in one session | The number fits URA’s tuition limit. Check the remaining scheme conditions. |
| Four students in one session | It exceeds the stated limit. |
| Two groups booked back to back | Leave enough time for one group to leave before the next arrives. |
| A non-resident tutor is hired to teach in the unit | The scheme bars non-resident employees working at the premises. |
Suppose the first group ends at 5 pm and the second group is booked for 5 pm. If the first group stays to ask questions and the second arrives early, students may overlap. Schedule a gap and communicate a clear pickup point and start time. Keep the corridor clear and agree with parents how to handle early arrivals.
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Review the plan before expanding
The scheme restricts signs or advertisements displayed at the premises and bars third parties from operating a business there. A resident who plans to bring in additional teachers or run larger sessions should check the appropriate premises and approval requirements first. If considering a commercial unit, verify its recorded use before committing to a lease. See how to check approved use for a shophouse unit.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the limit three students per day?
URA describes the limit as three students at a time. Schedule sessions so the actual activity stays small-scale and meets the other conditions.
Does the Home Office Scheme allow larger tuition classes?
URA describes the Home Office Scheme as a route for administrative functions. Check the specific rules for the activity you intend to conduct. Read URA’s Home Office Scheme guidance.