Number of unrelated tenants in flats, commercial properties cut to 6 from May: HDB

[SINGAPORE] From May 1, owners of four-room - or larger - housing board (HDB) flats will be allowed to rent their property out to a maximum of six unrelated persons, down from the current cap of nine, said HDB on Thursday.

The agency also reduced the number of occupants allowed in three-room living quarters of commercial properties from eight to six.

HDB said the changes aim to minimise the problems caused by overcrowding, in addition to maintaining "a conducive living environment" in Singapore's public housing estates.

It also said the new policy was in line with the Urban Redevelopment Authority's move last May (2017) that said private residential properties could only be rented out to no more than six unrelated tenants.

When the new provisions kick in on May 1, the revised cap for HDB will apply only when the rental arrangement is renewed, or when there are changes in the flat's occupants.

Furthermore, all flat owners, as well as all commercial property owners and tenants, will need to get approval before they begin any tenancy agreement. This marks a restriction of the current arrangement, where only flat owners who intend to rent out their entire flat need official permission.

Right now, owners of HDB commercial properties do not need such approval. Flat owners and rental commercial property tenants who want to rent out bedrooms and living quarters only need to register within seven days from the first day of the tenancy.

HDB said it was tightening the rules to ensure that all rented properties meet the new eligibility conditions.

To find out more, the public can contact the HDB branch service line at 1800-225-5432, or the commercial properties enquiry line at 1800-866-3073. The lines are open from 8am to 5pm on weekdays.

THE STRAITS TIMES