AsiaOne : Flat owners to register subletting of rooms with HDB

Flat owners to register subletting of rooms with HDB

Tue, Jan 12, 2010
AsiaOne

From February 1 this year, flat owners who sub-let rooms in their HDB flats will have to register with the Housing & Development Board (HBD) within seven days.

They will also be required to notify HDB when they renew or terminate the sub-letting of rooms, as well as any changes to their sub-tenants' particulars. However, there is no need to seek prior approval for sub-letting of rooms.

HDB said that the new rule will support the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)'s on-going efforts to eradicate loan-sharking activities, and will better protect DB residents. Through this, HDB will be able to capture the particulars of those who rent rooms in HDB flats.


The requirement will apply to both new and existing cases of room sublets.

For tenancies that commenced before February 1, owners will be given a six-month grace period from that date to register. Meanwhile, for sublets from February 1, owners will have to register with HDB within 7 days from the start date of subletting.

According to a statement from the HDB, the following information must be provided:

Sub-letting commencement date
Sub-letting expiry date
No. of rooms sublet
Rental per month
Name of sub-tenants
Househould structure of sub-tenant
UIN/FIN of sub-tenant
Nationality of sub-tenant
Citizenship of sub-tenant
Ethnicity of sub-tenant
Work pass of sub-tenant (e.g. work permit, employment pass)
Sector which sub-tenant works in
Reasons for subletting
Registration may be done either online, or at the Branch Office, where staff will be able to guide them on the registration process.

Flat owners who flout the rule will face a penalty of up to $3,000. Those who repeatedly fail to comply with the requirement may find their flat compulsorily acquired by HDB.

Apart from this new rule, the other terms and conditions for sub-letting of rooms are unchanged.