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Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)

Students’ Hostels

Check the guidelines for students' hostels.

Last updated 6 June 2026

A students’ hostel or dormitory is used for lodging by students unrelated by blood, marriage, adoption or legal guardianship. The premises are considered as students’ hostel if:

  • The total number of students staying in the premises exceed 6 students; and

  • The premises is for accommodation facilities for full time students studying in the local primary schools, secondary schools, junior colleges and tertiary institutions.

Students’ hostels may either be ancillary to the EI development, for eg as a separate dormitory building that serves students/staff of the school or independent developments.

Location

Students’ hostel developments may be allowed on sites zoned Educational Institution, Commercial/Residential and Residential with 1st storey Commercial.

Independent students’ hostel developments may also be allowed on sites zoned Residential provided that:

  • The site shall not be located in estates safeguarded for landed housing only (e.g. Good Class Bungalow Areas);

  • The site shall be located at the fringe of non-landed residential estates and in street blocks which already have non-residential uses;

  • The site shall be fronting a category 2 or 3 road; and

  • The amenity of the surrounding areas shall not adversely affected.

Conversions of Existing Flats to Students’ Hostel

Conversion of existing flats to students’ hostel may be either on an en-bloc or a ‘per floor’ basis. Conversion on a ‘per floor’ basis (i.e. all the flat units on the same floor sharing a common staircase or lift access) may be considered only under a single Temporary Permission (TP) regardless of the number of owners involved, provided that it does not result in dis-amenity to other residents.

The students’ hostel shall be located below existing residential floors to minimize potential inconveniences and disturbances to the residents.

All owners shall submit a Letter of Undertaking (LOU) that the students’ hostel will be run by a single operator. For conversions on a per floor basis, all owners on the floor are to sign the LOU. A fresh LOU shall be submitted for subsequent renewals of the TP.