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71 offenders fined since 2019 for providing illegal short stays in Singapore
BY ASHLEY THAM
Published July 3, 2024
Updated July 3, 2024
SINGAPORE — A total of 71 offenders have been fined since 2019 for providing illegal short-term stays in Singapore, authorities said on Wednesday (July 3).
Of these, 64 were fined for providing such stays in private properties, while the remaining seven were fined for providing short-term rentals of HDB flats, said HDB and the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) in a joint reply on Wednesday in response to media queries.
Another 15 people were taken to court and prosecuted for providing short stays in private properties.
Rentals of less than three months for private properties and less than six months for HDB flats are not allowed under the law.
Last month, CNA found more than 15 Airbnb listings in Singapore offering such short-term accommodation – some for two or three nights.
Several of these listings had been active for months, with one having dozens of reviews from prior guests.
A few days after CNA's report, Airbnb removed several illegal listings from its platform.
HDB and URA said on Wednesday: "Listings on online platforms may provide an indication that certain residential properties are being misused.
"Agencies will investigate all suspected illegal short-term accommodation that are brought to our attention through public feedback."
The agencies will actively carry out investigations to identify errant cases and monitor listings on online platforms.
They said they are engaging key online platforms to highlight their role in ensuring the listings are aligned with Singapore's laws.
The three-month minimum stay for private properties is to minimise frequent turnover of "transient occupants", which the authorities said changes the residential character of a property, impacts neighbours and has effects on safety and security.
The longer six-month minimum stay for HDB flats is due to the "more compact nature and porosity of public housing estates", they added.
Members of the public can report suspected short-stay cases by calling HDB's hotline at 1800-555-6370 or providing feedback on URA's website. CNA
