From 1 Feb this year, flat owners who sublet rooms in their HDB flats will have to register with HDB within 7 days of doing so.
For tenancies beginning before 1 Feb, owners have a six-month grace period from that date to register.
Owners also have to inform HDB when they renew or terminate the subletting of rooms and when there are changes to tenants’ particulars.
There is no need to seek prior approval for the subletting of rooms.
HDB announced this yesterday in support of the efforts of the Ministry of Home Affairs to stamp out loan shark activities.
It hopes the move will help to address the problem of new flat occupiers being harassed by loan sharks while the borrowers are untraceable.
The additional information will enable MHA to trace such borrowers.
Flat owners can register their sub-letting of rooms online or at HDB branch offices.
A maximum penalty of $3,000 will be imposed for non-compliance.
Flat owners who repeatedly fail to comply with the new regulation may have their flat acquired by HDB.
Source: TNP 13th January 2010
