HDB performed 7,000 flat inspections in 2010

1,800 of the 7,000 inspections were the result of public feedback.

According to HDB, this is almost double the number of public feedback received in 2009.

Actions taken

Most of the flats inspected last year were found to be in order. However, HDB had to take actions against 95 flat owners for unauthorised subletting. The actions taken by HDB include the compulsory acquisition of the flats and imposing financial penalties. Out of the 95 cases, HDB took compulsory acquisition action against 39 flat owners who had blatantly infringed the subletting rules.

Advice to Homeowners and Tenants

HDB takes a very serious view of any unauthorised subletting. We will take stern actions against owners, including compulsory acquisition, even if it is the owner’s first infringement. This is especially for cases where the flat owners had bought the flat purely for monetary gains, with no intention of occupying it.

There have also been cases where flat owners try to circumvent HDB’s rules by locking up one room and subletting the rest of the flat without physically staying in it. Such cases will be treated as unauthorised subletting of the entire flat.

HDB would like to remind all flat owners that HDB flats are primarily meant for owner occupation. Flat owners who wish to sublet their entire flats must meet the Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) and obtain HDB’s approval before they can do so. They must also comply with HDB’s terms and conditions for subletting, for example, by ensuring that the number of subtenants does not exceed the maximum number allowed for the various flat types.