HDB owners may be held ransom by tenant or can get owners into trouble by reporting to HDB if they found that owners have been doing it illegally.
Director (Branch Operations),
Housing & Development Board
We refer to the letters “Can HDB step up enforcement?” (July 13) and
“List all authorised sublet flats in a public database online” (July 16).
We thank the writers for their feedback and suggestions.
We assure the public that the Housing and Development Boardtakes a serious view of any unauthorised subletting, whether by citizenor permanent resident households,as HDB flats are primarilymeant for owner occupation. Owners who wish to sublet theirentire flats must meet the Minimum Occupation Period and obtainHDB’s approval first.
They must comply with the HDB’s terms and conditions, for
example, by ensuring that the number of subtenants does not exceed
the maximum allowed for the various flat types. Subletting offlats or bedrooms for short-term stay to tourists is also not allowed.Owners who try to circumvent the HDB’s rules by locking up oneroom and subletting the rest of the flat without physically staying in itwill be regarded as having engaged in unauthorised subletting of theentire flat.The HDB has been stepping upenforcement against unauthorised subletting. Besides conducting regularchecks on approved subletting cases to ensure rules are compliedwith, the HDB does spot checks and planned inspections to ensure theproper use and occupation of flats.
Last year, the HDB carried out 7,000 flat inspections. Most of thecases were in order. However, we found 56 flats with unauthorisedsubletting and took action against the owners, including imposing financialpenalties or compulsorily acquiring their flats.Before renting a flat or a bedroom,
prospective subtenants should familiarise themselves withthe eligibility conditions for subtenants as well as for owners, as it isimportant they ensure that the flat owner has obtained approvalto sublet the flat. More information could befound at the HDB’s website, www.hdb.gov.sg, under “Living in HDBflats”.
The HDB will continue its effortsagainst unauthorised subletting.The public may call our hotlineat 1800-555-6370 (Monday toFriday, 8am to 5pm) to report anysuspected cases of unauthorisedsubletting. Any information providedwill be treated with the strictestconfidence.
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Originally Posted by carbuncle
