HOW TO CHECK THE RENTAL QUOTA / Non-Citizen (NC) Subletting Quota for the Subletting of Whole Flat

HOW TO CHECK THE RENTAL QUOTA
Non-Citizen (NC) Subletting Quota for the Subletting of Whole Flat
Jan  20,  2014

With effect from 16 Jan 2014, owners will have to consider the NC quota if one of the subtenants is a non-Malaysian non-citizen (i.e. SPRs and foreigners, excluding Malaysians for both groups).   Malaysians will not be subject to the NC subletting quota in view of their close cultural and historical similarities with Singaporeans.

The quota ensures that non-citizens can better integrate into the local community for social cohesion and prevents the formation of foreigner enclaves in public housing estates.

The quota will apply as long as one of the subtenants is a non-Malaysian NC.

 

How the NC Subletting Quota Works The NC quota at the neighborhood and block level is shown in the table below:   Maximum Proportion of Flats that can be Sublet to Non-Malaysian NC Subtenants Neighbourhood   Block 8%   11%     When the NC quota has reached the block and/or neighborhood limits, flat owners will only be allowed to sublet the flat to Singaporean or Malaysian subtenants.   You can check the subtenant's eligibility to rent a flat in any block by clicking on the link below which leads to the free E-service on the HDB website.   http://services2.hdb.gov.sg/webapp/BR12AWSublettingQuota/BR12PMainPage.faces     PROPERTY AGENTS TO NOTE I would suggest that every agent representing the landlord must check the eligibility from the HDB website before he advertises the flat for rent and mention the status accordingly in his advertisement to make it easier for co-broke agents representing tenants to approach for the purpose of rental.

It’s important to remember that this quota changes on the first of every month depending on the transactions that have taken place during the month. So, it’s important to check the quota again in the following month if the house is still available for the purpose of rental.

Info on new policy courtesy  - HDB website

KEEPING PETS

KEEPING PETS

If you're a pet lover, then take note of the approved breeds of dogs that are allowed to be kept in HDB flats. Those who do not follow this rule are liable to incur a fine not exceeding S$4,000. Owners who do own a dog must also take responsibility for it and make sure it doesn't cause a nuisance to neighbors. For more information related to the keeping of dogs, please access the HDB website at www.hdb.gov.sg.

HOME-BASED SMALL SCALE BUSINESS

HOME-BASED SMALL SCALE BUSINESS

This type of scheme allows for small scale activities to operate from home without engaging other employees. You do not need to get any approval from HDB. Here is a list of some of the small scales businesses that are allowed. They include:

Doing office work on your computer which is linked to the main office computer.

Undertaking sewing at home to supplement the household income.

Freelancing work without employing anyone.

Baking cakes at home on a small scale, without turning it into a bakery.

Conducting private tuition for not more than 3 students at any one time.

Providing beauty services (hairdressing, facials, etc) to supplement the household income.

SETTING UP A HOME OFFICE

SETTING UP A HOME OFFICE

There are other options to making use of your flat, such as converting it into a home office. Owners and subtenants who are 18 years and above are eligible to do this. They must also meet some other conditions such as:

Ensuring the place remains a residence. The work area must be ancillary to the residence and all activities must be confined within the flat.

The business must be registered with the Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority unless it is exempted from registration under the Business Registration Act.

The flat cannot be a registered address for a society.

The environment in the flat cannot be noisy and must not emit smoke or other harmful substances.

The business cannot encourage illegal or unlawful behaviour, such as gambling or prostitution.

There cannot be advertisements or posters displayed and there must be no selling of physical goods.

OWNERSHIP OF AN HDB APARTMENT COMES WITH RESPONSIBILITIES

OWNERSHIP OF AN HDB APARTMENT COMES WITH RESPONSIBILITIES

As a proud owner of a flat, you want to know what you can and cannot do in your home. Well, HDB has set-up a number of guidelines that flat owners should follow with regards to the use and ownership of their flat. They include the following.

Subletting your flat / room

Renting your home out is a great way to make some extra income. However flat owners have some rules to follow in this case, such as:

Having occupied your non-subsidised flat for at least three years.

Having occupied your subsidised flat for at least five years.

If you do not meet this Minimum Occupation Period, don't worry because you can still sublet your flat if:

You are living in quarters provided by your employer.

You are going overseas to work or study.

You are living in commercial properties.

You are the only occupier of the flat and you need assistance from relatives because you are ill.

You as the sole occupier are hospitalized for more than six months.

The flat owners have passed away and left behind an orphaned minor child. The guardian or public trustee of the child may sublet the whole flat.

If you decide to go ahead and sublet your flat, take note that there are certain eligibility conditions that your tenants have to comply with. They must be Singapore citizens on Singapore permanent residents. Non-citizens are also eligible, but they must be legally residing in Singapore. Examples include foreign workers with employment passes and students with student passes.