Minimum stay for rental homes lowered to three months

In response to growing demand for shorter periods of stay.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has lowered the minimum stay duration to three months, from the current six months.

The revision takes immediate effect and applies to all private properties which have been approved for residential use.

To recall, the minimum stay duration of six months was put in place in 2009.

"In recent years, we have observed growing demand from groups seeking accommodation for periods of between three to six months. They include academics and students visiting local Institutions of Higher Learning, and professionals on work assignments. The feedback from this group has been that they prefer private residential properties, considering their choice of locations, range in unit sizes, and financial affordability, over hotels and serviced apartments," URA said in a statement.

The revised duration is said to provide these groups with more accommodation options. It will also provide more rental opportunities for property owners seeking to rent out their properties. Hotels and serviced apartments will continue to cater to visitors on shorter stays.

"It is important that we preserve the residential character of private housing estates. URA has assessed that a minimum stay duration of three months is an appropriate limit which is not expected to cause any significant impact to residential communities, even as it extends benefits to potential tenants and landlords. However, URA will monitor the ground developments closely and assess the need for a further review, if necessary," URA explained.