Thursday, April 28, 2011

Housing and Development Board (HDB) stepped up enforcement against unauthorized subletting of flats

The Housing and Development Board (HDB) stepped up its enforcement against unauthorized subletting of flats in 2010. This comes after 7,000 flat inspections conducted in 2010 (an increase from the 3,000 done in 2009).

Of the 95 flat owners owners caught by the HDB for illegal subletting, 39 had their flats acquired.

Of the 7,000 flats inspected, 95 flat owners had action taken against them by the HDB in relation to unauthorized subletting. The actions taken include compulsory acquisition of the flats and imposing of financial penalties.

The public's feedback played a greater role in the HDB's inspections, with public feedback leading to 1,800 inspections (of the total of 7,000). This is almost double the number received in 2009.

Under current HDB rules, flat owners who wish to sublet their entire flats must meet the Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) and obtain the HDB's approval before doing so.

Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) -- HDB flat owners must have physically occupied their flats for a period of time before they are eligible to sell or sublet/rent it in the open market.

HDB will continue to step up inspections and is welcoming public feedback on suspected unauthorized subletting, which it promises to keep strictly confidential. The public can report such suspected cases by calling the dedicated hotline 1800-555-6370.

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