New Reporter
20-12-23, 13:11
Rental occupancy cap relaxed to 8 unrelated people for HDB, private properties
Dec 20, 2023
LARGER Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats and private residential properties will be allowed to house eight unrelated persons, from the current cap of six.
The rental occupancy cap will be relaxed temporarily between Jan 22, 2024 and Dec 31, 2026, to better meet rental demand, said HDB and the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) on Wednesday (Dec 20).
The cap relaxation will apply to four-room and larger HDB flats, living quarters of HDB commercial properties where the living space is at least equivalent to a four-room flat, and private residential properties of at least 90 square meters.
Residential property owners who currently house up to six unrelated persons would need to apply to HDB for HDB flats, or URA for private residential properties, to include additional occupants.
Private property owners can do so by registering their properties via URA’s e-services upon payment of a S$20 administrative fee.
“Upon successful registration, the owner will be informed that they can use the residential property to accommodate up to eight unrelated persons, each subject to a minimum stay duration of three consecutive months,” said the governmental bodies.
The current rule for HDB flat owners, as well as HDB commercial property owners and tenants, to get HDB’s approval before the tenancy commencement date still applies.
“Applications to rent out HDB flats or bedrooms may be submitted online via HDB’s e-services,” said the board, noting that an administrative fee is payable with each application, at S$10 per bedroom or S$20 per whole flat rented out.
“HDB commercial property owners and tenants who wish to rent out their living quarters can apply via the GoBusiness Licensing Portal. The administrative fee is S$100 per application,” it added.
Both HDB and URA noted that any extension of the relaxed occupancy cap beyond 2026 will be subject to review, based on the open market situation then.
Minister for National Development Desmond Lee commented in a Facebook post that the sharp increase in residential rents was largely led by strong demand amid Covid-19 construction delays.
“To mitigate this, we ramped up housing supply with close to 100,000 homes expected to be completed by 2025,” he said. Lee added that the increased supply of new homes will allow Singaporeans renting while awaiting project completions to vacate their rental units soon, further freeing up rental supply.
The government recognises the need to maintain a healthy rental supply to support those who rent by relaxing the occupancy cap.
“This temporary measure will only apply to larger properties, which can accommodate more occupants with minimal impact on those around them, in order to maintain a conducive living environment for the larger community.
“We will monitor the situation closely and take action against any infringements or serious disamenities, including revoking the homeowner’s rental approval,” added Lee.
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/property/rental-occupancy-cap-relaxed-8-unrelated-people-hdb-private-properties
Dec 20, 2023
LARGER Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats and private residential properties will be allowed to house eight unrelated persons, from the current cap of six.
The rental occupancy cap will be relaxed temporarily between Jan 22, 2024 and Dec 31, 2026, to better meet rental demand, said HDB and the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) on Wednesday (Dec 20).
The cap relaxation will apply to four-room and larger HDB flats, living quarters of HDB commercial properties where the living space is at least equivalent to a four-room flat, and private residential properties of at least 90 square meters.
Residential property owners who currently house up to six unrelated persons would need to apply to HDB for HDB flats, or URA for private residential properties, to include additional occupants.
Private property owners can do so by registering their properties via URA’s e-services upon payment of a S$20 administrative fee.
“Upon successful registration, the owner will be informed that they can use the residential property to accommodate up to eight unrelated persons, each subject to a minimum stay duration of three consecutive months,” said the governmental bodies.
The current rule for HDB flat owners, as well as HDB commercial property owners and tenants, to get HDB’s approval before the tenancy commencement date still applies.
“Applications to rent out HDB flats or bedrooms may be submitted online via HDB’s e-services,” said the board, noting that an administrative fee is payable with each application, at S$10 per bedroom or S$20 per whole flat rented out.
“HDB commercial property owners and tenants who wish to rent out their living quarters can apply via the GoBusiness Licensing Portal. The administrative fee is S$100 per application,” it added.
Both HDB and URA noted that any extension of the relaxed occupancy cap beyond 2026 will be subject to review, based on the open market situation then.
Minister for National Development Desmond Lee commented in a Facebook post that the sharp increase in residential rents was largely led by strong demand amid Covid-19 construction delays.
“To mitigate this, we ramped up housing supply with close to 100,000 homes expected to be completed by 2025,” he said. Lee added that the increased supply of new homes will allow Singaporeans renting while awaiting project completions to vacate their rental units soon, further freeing up rental supply.
The government recognises the need to maintain a healthy rental supply to support those who rent by relaxing the occupancy cap.
“This temporary measure will only apply to larger properties, which can accommodate more occupants with minimal impact on those around them, in order to maintain a conducive living environment for the larger community.
“We will monitor the situation closely and take action against any infringements or serious disamenities, including revoking the homeowner’s rental approval,” added Lee.
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/property/rental-occupancy-cap-relaxed-8-unrelated-people-hdb-private-properties