CONDOS PASS
BY-LAWS TO CURB SHORT-TERM RENTALS
February 8, 2017
The government is considering creating a new building-use
category for private homes whose owners wish to offer their property for
short-term rent.
In light of the growing number of homes offered for
short-term rentals, the management committees of some condominiums have taken matters
into their own hands by passing by-laws aimed at preventing the misuse of
apartments, reported TODAY online.
The measures taken include forcing residents to present
tenancy agreements, placing notices of short-term rental guidelines at lifts
and lift lobbies, and limiting access to the condominium through the main
lobby.
On Monday (6 February), Parliament passed laws that
disallows the use of private homes for short-term stay, effectively making it
illegal for owners to rent out their property via online homestay portals like
Roomorama and Airbnb, reported Channel NewsAsia.
National Development Minister Lawrence Wong, however,
revealed plans to create a new building-use category for private homes whose
owners wish to offer their property for short-term rent. He noted that the
authorities are also looking at reducing the six-month minimum rental period.
“But whatever adjustments we may make to this minimum
period, it is clear that we will not accommodate residential homes that are put
up for daily rental,” said Wong.
“Such premises which are rented out daily ought to be
regulated more like hotels rather than residential homes, and should be subject
to relevant license and conditions to ensure proper standards.”
In a separate report by Channel NewsAsia, Airbnb said while
it is “committed to working with the government to adopt a model of
home-sharing that works for Singapore”, it is disappointed that discussion on
the issue has not moved forward.
Info courtesy –
Propertyguru
