This section contains guidelines for subletting of flat. In particular, information provided concerns:
- Eligibility conditions : Flat owners
- Flat owners' responsibilities
- Eligibility conditions : Subtenants
- Maximum subletting period
- Costs involved in subletting
- Apply for approval
Eligibility Conditions: Flat Owners
Citizenship
Flat owners who wish to sublet their flat must be a Singapore Citizen (SC). Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) flat owners are not allowed to sublet their flat.
Minimum Occupation Period
SC flat owners who wish to sublet their flat must meet a 3 or 5-year Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) as follows:
3 years
- Non-subsidised flat (flat purchased from the open market without a CPF housing grant) and the application to buy the flat was received by HDB before 30 Aug 2010.
5 years
- Non-subsidised flat (flat purchased from the open market without a CPF housing grant) and the application to buy the flat was received by HDB on or after 30 Aug 2010.
- Subsidised flat (flat purchased directly from HDB or from the open market with a CPF housing grant)
Flat Owners’ Responsibilities
As a flat owner subletting your flat, you will be responsible for:
- Making sure the flat is sublet to eligible subtenants only
- Making sure that there is no overcrowding and the number of subtenants does not exceed the maximum number allowed
- Making sure that your subtenants have entered and are remaining in Singapore lawfully at all times (while the subletting is in force)
- Making sure that your subtenants do not further sublet the flat to other persons
- Making sure that your subtenants comply with all the covenants in the lease and the provisions of the Housing & Development Act and that you are responsible for all infringements, if any, committed by them
- Informing the Comptroller of Property Tax, of the subletting approval and termination of subletting
- Informing HDB of any changes in the subletting
- Resuming occupation of your flat and ensuring your subtenants vacate the premises when:
- The subletting is terminated, or
- You are no longer eligible to sublet your flat
- Surrendering the flat if the flat is repossessed by HDB
Eligiblity Conditions : Subtenants
Citizenship
Subtenants must be :
a. Singapore citizens; or
b. Singapore permanent residents; or
c. Non-citizens legally residing in Singapore who are holders of Employment Passes, S Passes, Work Permits*, Student Passes, Dependant Passes, or Long-Term Social Visit Passes. These passes must have a validity period of at least 6 months as at the date of subletting application.
*Construction workers who are Work Permit holders should be Malaysians.
Immigration status of non-citizen subtenants may be verified using the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority's iEnquiry website. You may also check the Employment Pass and S Pass validity using MOM’s website.
Maximum Number of Subtenants
The maximum number of subtenants allowed in each flat* is:
|
1-room and 2-room | 4 persons |
3-room | 6 persons |
4-room and bigger | 9 persons |
* living room, household shelters and utility room cannot be sublet
Tenancy/Property Ownership Status
- Subtenants must not be tenants/owners of other HDB flats except for :
- Tenants/owners who are divorced/legally separated
- Only one of the divorced/legally separated parties may be a subtenant
- Owners who are eligible to sublet their whole HDB flat
- They must sublet their own flat within 1 month after having rented a flat from another flat owner
- Subtenants must not be owners of Executive Condominium units where the 5-year minimum occupation period has not been met.
- Subtenants must not be tourists.
Period of Subletting
- Flat owners are not allowed to sublet the flat on a short term basis. The period of subletting to each subtenant per application must not be less than 6 months.
Maximum Subletting Period
- The maximum subletting period allowed is three years per application or as indicated in the approval letter, whichever is shorter. However, for subletting involving non-citizen subtenants (excluding Malaysians), the period of subletting per application is 1.5 years or as indicated in the approval letter, whichever is shorter. Non-citizens refer to Singapore Permanent Residents and foreigners. You are required to apply each time you sublet your flats or when you renew the subletting tenancy.
Costs Involved In Subletting
Administrative fee
Flat owners have to pay an administrative fee of $20/- for each subletting application.
Renewal fee
Flat owners must submit a new application and pay a fresh administrative fee to continue subletting the flat when existing subletting period expires. The new application will be subject to a reassessment of your eligibility to sublet your flat.
Apply For Approval
You must obtain HDB’s approval before you sublet your whole flat. You can submit the application online at
My HDBPage. Alternatively, you can obtain the application form from any HDB Branch or download the
application form and print it.
If the flat owner is overseas during the period of subletting, there must be a properly appointed Attorney to act for him in the management of the flat. A certified true copy of the Power of Attorney (POA), prepared in accordance with HDB's standard format and which has been lodged with the High Court, must be furnished (Please consult your solicitor on the POA).