HDB Steps Up Enforcement against Unauthorised Subletting and Revises Subletting Rule for SPRs
HDB flats are primarily meant for owner occupation. Those who wish
to sublet their flats must meet the Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) and
obtain HDB's approval before they can do so. This rule applies to both
Singapore Citizens (SCs) and Singapore Permanent Residents (SPRs).
Enforcement Actions Taken Against Unauthorised Subletting
2. In 2011, HDB carried out 7,000 flat inspections and
took action against 56 flat owners for unauthorised subletting. Of
these, HDB has initiated compulsory acquisition action against 18 flat
owners for blatantly infringing subletting rules. (See Annex A 
(PDF 22KB) for details of 3 cases where HDB has initiated compulsory
acquisition actions as the flat owners have blatantly abused the public
housing system and flouted HDB rules.)
(PDF 22KB) for details of 3 cases where HDB has initiated compulsory
acquisition actions as the flat owners have blatantly abused the public
housing system and flouted HDB rules.)
Revised Subletting Rules for Singapore Permanent Residents (SPRs)
3. HDB reviews policies and rules regularly to keep
them relevant. As part of ongoing reviews, the rules for subletting by
flat owners who are SPRs will be revised with effect from 11 Jul 2012.
Current Rule
4. Currently, both SC and SPR flat owners are allowed
to sublet their flat after meeting the MOP. The approval is granted for a
maximum of 3 years per application. Owners can apply to renew the
period of subletting upon the expiry of each 3-year period, with no cap
on the number of renewals and the total period of subletting.
Revised Rule
5. Under the revised rule, SPR flat owners will be
allowed to sublet their flat after meeting the MOP, if they have not
sublet the flat before. The approval will be granted for 1 year only,
instead of 3 years. Upon expiry of the 1-year period, the application to
extend the approval will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and
approval will be granted only if there are extenuating reasons. The
total period of subletting during the flat owners' entire duration of
the flat ownership is capped at 5 years.
6. The revised rule is to reinforce the policy intent
of providing HDB flats as homes to SPRs, and to deter those who are
buying the flats for rental yield or investment. While HDB allows SPR
owners who have met the MOP to sublet their flat, the subletting should
be on a temporary basis. If the SPR families no longer need the flats
for their own occupation, they should sell the flat instead of
subletting them.
7. There will be no change to the subletting rules for flat owners who are Singapore citizens.
Advice to Homeowners and Tenants
8. HDB would like to remind all flat owners to comply
with its terms and conditions for subletting, such as ensuring that the
number of tenants does not exceed the maximum number allowed for the
various flat types and that the flats are only occupied by the listed
tenants. They must also monitor their tenants to prevent nuisance or
misuse of the flat, such as further subletting the flat to
non-authorised occupants for short-term stays.
9. HDB takes a serious view of any unauthorised
subletting and will take stern actions against owners, including
compulsory acquisition, even if it is the owner's first infringement.
This is especially for cases where the flat owners had bought the flat
purely for monetary gains, with no intention of occupying it. HDB has
also encountered cases where flat owners try to circumvent HDB's rules
by locking up one room and subletting the rest of the flat without
physically staying in it. Such cases will be treated as unauthorised
subletting of the entire flat. Subletting of flats or bedrooms for
short-term stay to tourists is also not allowed.
10. Prospective tenants are also advised to
familiarise themselves with the eligibility conditions for subletting,
e.g. whether the flat owner has obtained HDB's approval to sublet the
flat. More information can be found on HDB's website www.hdb.gov.sg, under the section "Living in HDB flats".
11. HDB flat owners who intend to rent out their
flats/rooms and tenants who are renting a flat/room are advised to check
CEA's Public Register of Estate Agents and Salespersons at www.cea.gov.sg to
verify their salespersons are registered with CEA before engaging their
services. In addition, flat owners and tenants should not allow their
salespersons to handle rental payments or rental deposits as they are
prohibited from handling transaction monies for or on behalf of any
party in the lease of HDB properties.
12. Consumers should only engage salespersons who are
registered with CEA. They are also advised not to respond to any real
estate agency flyer, leaflet or advertisement that does not provide a
salesperson's details or registration number. Consumers should report to
CEA when they encounter any person not listed on the Public Register
but carrying out estate agency work illegally or handling transaction
monies in the lease of HDB properties. They can report the matter to the
CEA at 1800-6432555 or feedback@cea.gov.sg.
For Enquiries
13. The public can call the following numbers for more
information or enquiries on subletting or report suspected cases of
unauthorised subletting or unauthorised use of flat:
- a) For information or enquires on subletting
HDB Branch Office Service Line @ 1800-225-5432
b) For report on suspected unauthorised subletting / use of flat:
HDB's dedicated hotline @ 1800-555-6370
(All feedback will be kept strictly confidential)
