The Housing and Development Board (HDB) has introduced a quota on subletting of whole flats to non-citizen subtenants.
It said the move is to prevent the formation of foreigner enclaves in estates and maintain the Singaporean character of the heartlands.
HDB flat owners who lease out whole units to foreigners will be bound by the new rule, with immediate effect.
The quota on subletting of whole units to non-citizen subtenants applies to all foreigners, except Malaysians.
It is set at 8 per cent per neighbourhood and at 11 per cent per block.
Owners who wish to lease their units must make sure the quotas for both are not exceeded.
HDB said some towns are already seeing more foreigners renting whole units. These include the Central area, Clementi, Jurong West, Queenstown and Sengkang.
HDB said the new policy will apply to all flat subletting applications.
Owners currently subletting their whole flat with HDB’s approval may continue to do so for the remaining approved duration.
However, if the remaining duration is more than one-and-a-half years, it will be reduced to one-and-a-half years from the date of inclusion.
The maximum period of subletting will be three years for Singaporeans and Malaysians, and one-and-a-half years for non-citizens.HDB said Malaysians are excluded as they “better integrate into our estates due to their cultural and historical similarities with Singaporeans”.
For enquiries, members of the public can call 1800-5556370 between Mondays and Fridays, from 8am to 5pm.
Source : Channel NewsAsia – 16 Jan 2014