Category Archives: HDB

HDB has stepped up its efforts against illegal subletting

Posted on 1 Aug 2012 | Comments Off on HDB has stepped up its efforts against illegal subletting

We refer to the letters “Can HDB step up enforcement?” (July 13) and “List all authorised sublet flats in a public database online” (July 16). We thank the writers for their feedback and suggestions.

We assure the public that the Housing and Development Board takes a serious view of any unauthorised subletting, whether by citizen or permanent resident households, as HDB flats are primarily meant for owner occupation.

Owners who wish to sublet their entire flats must meet the Minimum Occupation Period and obtain HDB’s approval first.

They must comply with the HDB’s terms and conditions, for example, by ensuring that the number of subtenants does not exceed the maximum allowed for the various flat types. Subletting of flats or bedrooms for short-term stay to tourists is also not allowed.

Owners who try to circumvent the HDB’s rules by locking up one room and subletting the rest of the flat without physically staying in it will be regarded as having engaged in unauthorised subletting of the entire flat.

The HDB has been stepping up enforcement against unauthorised subletting. Besides conducting regular checks on approved subletting cases to ensure rules are complied with, the HDB does spot checks and planned inspections to ensure the proper use and occupation of flats.

Last year, the HDB carried out 7,000 flat inspections. Most of the cases were in order. However, we found 56 flats with unauthorised subletting and took action against the owners, including imposing financial penalties or compulsorily acquiring their flats.

Before renting a flat or a bedroom, prospective subtenants should familiarise themselves with the eligibility conditions for subtenants as well as for owners, as it is important they ensure that the flat owner has obtained approval to sublet the flat.

More information could be found at the HDB’s website, http://www.hdb.gov.sg, under “Living in HDB flats”.

The HDB will continue its efforts against unauthorised subletting. The public may call our hotline at 1800-555-6370 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm) to report any suspected cases of unauthorised subletting. Any information provided will be treated with the strictest confidence.

From Lim Lea Lea Director (Branch Operations),
Housing & Development Board

Source : Today – 2012 Jul 31

See : Stricter rules for PRs subletting flats

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HDB launches 7 BTO projects offering 4191 new flats

Posted on 1 Aug 2012 | Comments Off on HDB launches 7 BTO projects offering 4191 new flats

The Housing and Development Board (HDB) announced on Tuesday that it has launched seven BTO projects, offering 4,191 new flats.

This is the fourth BTO launch this year and HDB said it remains on track to launch 25,000 flats this year.

The flats are being offered in two non-mature towns of Choa Chu Kang and Punggol, and three mature towns of Bukit Merah, Clementi and Geylang.

The projects in the non-mature estates are Keat Hong Axis, Punggol Opal and Waterway Cascadia, while those in the mature towns are Clementi Gateway, Depot Heights, Telok Blangah Ridgeview and GreenTops @ Sims Place.

A 3-room flat at Keat Hong Axis in the non-mature estate of Choa Chu Kang will cost from S$151,000 without grants and from S$116,000 with grants, while a similar flat at Clementi Gateway in the mature estate of Clementi will cost from S$301,000 without grants and from S$271,000 with grants.

HDB said to ensure first-timers continue to enjoy priority in flat allocation, at least 95 per cent of the BTO flat supply (excluding Studio Apartments) in mature towns and 85 per cent in the non-mature towns will be set aside for them.

Eligible first-timer households can also enjoy various housing grants to help them own a new BTO flat.

In September 2012, HDB will offer 3,700 new BTO flats for sale in Ang Mo Kio, Choa Chu Kang, Kallang Whampoa, Tampines and Woodlands.

HDB will also offer 3,000 flats in a concurrent Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) exercise. The balance flats will have good geographical spread and comprise flats from both mature and non-mature estates.

Applications for the new flats launched can be submitted online from 31 July 2012 to 6 August 2012.

For enquiries, members of the public can:
a) Log on to esales.hdb.gov.sg; or
b) E-mail hdbsales@hdb.gov.sg; or
c) Visit the HDB Sales Office to speak with the Customer Service Officers during office hours (Mon to Fri 8am to 5pm, Saturday 8am to 1pm).

Also with effect from the July BTO launch, HDB will extend the Special CPF Housing Grant (SHG) (of $20,000) for first-timer households earning S$1,500 and below, to include purchases of 3-room standard flats in non-mature estates.

This special grant was introduced in March last year to help first-timer low income households own their homes and could only be used for the purchase of a 2-room standard flat in non-mature estates.

HDB said the enhancement will expand the options available to low-income households who need more space and can afford a larger flat, with the help of government subsidies.

Together with the Additional CPF Housing Grant (AHG), households earning S$1,500 and below can now enjoy total housing grants of S$60,000 for the purchase of 2-room or 3-room standard flats in non-mature estates from HDB.

Source CNA 2012 Jul 31

 

 

 

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