New Non-Citizen quota on subletting of HDB flats (From HDB)
NEW NON-CITIZEN QUOTA ON SUBLETTING OF HDB FLATS TO PREVENT FOREIGNER ENCLAVES IN HDB ESTATES From today, HDB will introduce a quota on the subletting of whole HDB flats to non-citizen (NC) subtenants. This is to prevent the formation of foreigner enclaves in HDB estates, and maintain the Singaporean character of our HDB heartlands. NC Subletting Quota Framework 2. Today, only Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents can buy HDB flats. But foreigners can rent rooms or entire flats. Currently, there is no cap on the number of flats sublet to such foreign tenants in HDB blocks. Less than 4% of HDB flats are sublet to foreigners, excluding Malaysians. However, the proportion could go up to 9% in some areas, or even 18% in some blocks. 3. To prevent the formation of foreigner enclaves, HDB will implement a quota to cap the number of flats that can be wholly sublet to NCs in each neighbourhood and block. The quota will be set at 8% at the neighbourhood level, and 11% at the block level. It will apply to subtenants who are Singapore Permanent Residents and foreigners, but will not apply to Malaysians who can better integrate into our estates due to their cultural and historical similarities with Singaporeans. 4. The quota will also not apply to subletting of rooms, to reduce the impact on those who rely on subletting for additional income, especially the elderly and low-income households. 5. This aims to maintain the Singapore character of our HDB heartlands while balancing the housing and subletting needs of citizens and foreigners in Singapore. Implementation Details 6. The new policy will apply to all flat subletting applications received by HDB with immediate effect. All flat owners who [...]