ST : Subletting Rules

Mar 28, 2010

Subletting Rules

Subletting whole flat: Owners can sublet their whole flat after they have lived in it for a minimum number of years.

It is five years for flats bought directly from the HDB or resale flats bought with a CPF housing grant, and three years for resale flats bought without the grant.

Flat owners must obtain a written approval from the HDB before subletting their flats.

The number of tenants cannot exceed nine for four-room or bigger flats, six for three-room flats, and four for one- and two-room flats.

Subletting spare rooms: Only owners of three-room or larger flats can sublet spare rooms. They must live in the flat with the tenants.

They do not need HDB's approval, but must register with the HDB within seven days of subletting their rooms.

For a three-room flat, only one bedroom can be sublet with a maximum of six people living in the flat, including the owners.

For a four-room or bigger flat, two bedrooms can be sublet with at most nine occupants.

Penalties for flouting rules: The HDB may repossess the flat and pay the owner the difference between the value he paid for the flat and a financial penalty. In some cases, it may impose a fine instead.

To report unauthorised subletting: The HDB encourages residents to call its toll-free hotline on 1800-5556370 from Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm, to report any cases of unauthorised subletting of flats.

It assures residents that it will treat the information with the strictest confidence.

Calls can be made anonymously.