HDB flat owners booted out for renting to tourists
The Housing & Development Board (HDB) repossessed two flats after it discovered the owners were leasing them to tourist for less than six months, according to media reports.
Based on investigations, the owners rented out their flats to multiple visitors for $25 to $75 per night, so the Housing Board reclaimed the properties -- a four-room flat in the west and an executive flat in the east.
HDB declined to reveal the exact date when the owners were booted out. It also warned another home owner in Singapore's central area.
Despite investigating thousands of cases, this is the first time the severe penalty was made public by the agency.
In 2013, HDB looked into 184 cases of short-term leasing compared to 106 cases in the previous year.
Apart from losing their flats, home owners who flout the rules may also face stiff fines, added an agency spokesperson.
As for private properties, the Urban Redevelopment Authority has investigated 350 cases of unauthorised use from January to April 2014. In 2013, it looked into 2,100 of such cases.
Like HDB flats, private homes can only be rented out for a minimum of six months.
Muneerah Bee, Senior Journalist at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact her about this or other stories email muneerah@propertyguru.com.sg
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