REGISTER YOUR TENANTS IF YOU ARE SUBLETTING YOUR HDB FLAT / ROOMS

REGISTER YOUR TENANTS IF YOU ARE SUBLETTING YOUR HDB FLAT / ROOMS
Owners who sublet their HDB flat /rooms have to register their tenants with HDB within seven days from the commencement of lease agreement.

This is a new rule set by HDB to support of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)’s on-going effort to curb illegal money lending activities, and to protect the HDB residents. Some ex-owners (borrowers from loan sharks) use their old address to borrow from loan sharks while at the same time renting a room at another place without updating their new address on their NRIC. As a result, the new owners will be harassed by the loan sharks while the borrower is not traceable.

The new rule will apply to all new and existing cases of room rentals. For lease started before 1 Feb 2010, the owners are given 6 months to register their tenant’s particulars and for new cases of subletting from 1 Feb 2010, owners are given seven days from the commencement of lease agreement to register their tenant’s particulars.  Owners can go online to HDB website or go to their respective branch office to register.

PENALTY FOR NOT COMPLYING
For owners who does not comply to the new rule, a penalty of $3,000 will be imposed. For repeat offenders, HDB may compulsorily acquire their flats.

HOW TO REGISTER YOUR TENANT
You may register your tenant via HDB website under e-services.
Immigration status of non-citizen subtenants may be verified using the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority's VERIFI website.

HOW CAN THE TENANT CHECK WHETHER HE IS REGISTERED WITH HDB
The tenant can request from the landlord a copy of the Letter of Approval for subletting from HDB. The Letter of Approval from HDB requires tenant particulars to be entered into the system while applying for the approval.