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SINGAPORE - From May 1, owners of four-room and larger Housing Board (HDB) flats will be allowed to rent their property to six unrelated people, down from the current cap of nine.
The number of occupants allowed in three-room living quarters of commercial properties will also be cut from eight to six.
In a statement on Thursday (Feb 1), 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 is in line with the Urban Redevelopment Authority's move last May to cap the number of unrelated tenants for private residential properties at six.
The old HDB rules will apply to agreements signed before May 1, even after the new cap kicks in. But from that date, the new provisions will apply once 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.
Currently, 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 on 1800-225-5432, or the commercial properties inquiry line on 1800-866-3073. The lines are open from 8am to 5pm on weekdays
http://www.straitstimes.com/singapo...ll-public-or-commercial-properties-from-may-1
The number of occupants allowed in three-room living quarters of commercial properties will also be cut from eight to six.
In a statement on Thursday (Feb 1), 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 is in line with the Urban Redevelopment Authority's move last May to cap the number of unrelated tenants for private residential properties at six.
The old HDB rules will apply to agreements signed before May 1, even after the new cap kicks in. But from that date, the new provisions will apply once 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.
Currently, 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 on 1800-225-5432, or the commercial properties inquiry line on 1800-866-3073. The lines are open from 8am to 5pm on weekdays
http://www.straitstimes.com/singapo...ll-public-or-commercial-properties-from-may-1
