By Ashutosh Ravikrishnan
THE Housing and Development Board (HDB) stepped up its
enforcement against unauthorised subletting of flats in 2010. This
comes after 7,000 flat inspections conducted in 2010 (an increase
from the 3,000 done in 2009).
Of the 7,000 flats inspected, 95 flat owners had action taken
against them by the HDB in relation to unauthorised subletting. The
actions taken include compulsory acquisition of the flats and
imposing of financial penalties.
Of the 95 flat owners owners caught by the HDB, 39 had their
flats acquired.
The public's feedback played a greater role in the HDB's
inspections, with public feedback leading to 1,800 inspections (of
the total of 7,000). This is almost double the number received in
2009.
Under current HDB rules, flat owners who wish to sublet their
entire flats must meet the Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) and
obtain the HDB's approval before doing so.
HDB will continue to step up inspections and is welcoming public
feedback on suspected unauthorised subletting, which it promises to
keep strictly confidential. The public can report such suspected
cases by calling the dedicated hotline 1800-555-6370.
