Change of Trade

A change of trade involves a change in the business that is provided, for example, a change from selling clothes to selling stationery. This guide shares with you the procedures and things to note for a change of trade. In addition, if you are a rental shop tenant, kindly note the administrative fees and potential rent changes.

Rental shops

Terms and conditions

Before you change your trade, please take note of the following terms and conditions:

• You have fulfilled the conditions in the Tenancy Agreement during your existing term of tenancy with us
• You do not have any arrears
• You are not a bankrupt
• All trades operated at the premises must be approved by HDB and shall meet the statutory requirements of the relevant competent authorities. Trades not allowed in HDB commercial premises include: storage, wholesale centre, industrial trades etc.
• The business operation shall not create any nuisance.
• The approved trades must only be conducted within the premises. You can seek your Town Council's approval to use the common area for displaying part of your merchandise
• You can change or include a new trade for the balance term of tenancy with us. In addition, you can choose a fresh 1, 2, or 3-year term for trades where there is a change of use of the living quarters to non-residential use or to a family restaurant

Proposed rent

There will be rent changes if there is a change of use of the living quarters to non-residential use or to a family restaurant.

Notifiable trades

You can obtain a 1-day approval for change or inclusion of trades if the proposed trade falls within the list of allowable trades that have been approved by us.

If your proposed trade(s) is/ are not listed above, you can apply for a change or inclusion of trade using our e-Application for tenancy change.

Premises with specific trade conditions

For premises let out for specific trade/ use, the proposed subtenant’s trade(s) must comply with the conditions specified during tender allocation. For example, if the unit is only for ‘office’ use, we will not consider any change of trade/ use.

The subtenant’s trade must not duplicate the trades that are already available in the same cluster of shops.

Application procedures

You need to submit your application forms and documents to us via GoBusiness Licensing. Please refer here for a step by step guide. 

For units in HDB shopping and office complexes, please approach the respective Managing Agents.

Administrative fees

The administrative fees are as follows:

• $107 (inclusive of GST) for the balance term
• $214 (inclusive of GST) for a fresh term and where there is a change of use of living quarters to non-residential use

For units in HDB shopping and office complexes, please approach the respective Managing Agents.

Sold shops

You can operate retail/ service trades under the list of allowable trades. All trades must be operated within the premises except for the use of living quarters, which must be used exclusively for residential purposes.

Note that the use of the common area requires the respective Town Council’s approval.

For units in HDB shopping and office complexes, please approach the respective Managing Agents.