Rent out your HDB Flat/Room? A detailed guide, Requirements for Singapore Citizen, Non-Citizen

A DETAILED GUIDE TO RENTING OUT YOUR HDB FLAT OR ROOM in Singapore

Renting out an HDB flat in Singapore can be a great way to earn extra income. However, there are certain rules and regulations that must be followed in order to do so legally. This article will provide a step-by-step process for renting out an HDB flat.

Requirements for Homeowners to rent out your HDB Flat/Room:

Before you can rent out your HDB flat, there are certain requirements that you need to meet.

• To rent out your whole flat, you must be a Singapore citizen (SC). Singapore Permanent Residents (SPRs) are not allowed to rent out their flat.
• If you bought your flat new from HDB or bought a resale flat with a housing grant from CPF, you must have occupied your flat for at least 5 years. If yours is a resale flat bought before August 30, 2010, the minimum occupation period is 3 years.
• Only bedrooms from HDB flats that are 3-room or larger can be rented out. Flat owners are required to seek HDB’s approval before renting out their bedrooms.
• Applications to rent out bedrooms may be submitted online via HDB’s e-services. The outcome of the application will be made known immediately.
• An administrative fee is payable with each application, at $10 per bedroom. If you want to rent out your whole flat, you must be a Singapore citizen and have met the Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) of 5 years. You must also obtain prior approval from HDB
  before renting out your flat.

Pros and Cons of Renting Out an HDB Flat:

Pros:

• Renting out an HDB flat can provide a steady stream of passive income.
• Renting out an HDB flat can provide flexibility in terms of when and how the property is used.

Cons:

• • Landlords may have to deal with unreasonable tenants who cause damage to the property or fail to pay rent on time.
  • Rental income is subject to income tax, which can eat into the profits earned from renting out the property.

Non-Citizen Rent Out Quota Singapore:

● For applications involving non-Malaysian non-citizens, the maximum rental period per approval is 2 years.
● There is a Non-Citizen Quota for renting out a flat. This applies if your tenant is a non-citizen and non-Malaysian, i.e., permanent residents and foreigners.

Minimum and Maximum Renting Out Period:

• The minimum rental period for each tenant must be 6 months per application.
• There is no maximum renting out period for HDB flats.

Maximum Number of Tenants Allowed:

The total number of occupants includes the flat owner, authorized occupiers, and tenants. The maximum number of occupants allowed depends on the flat type

• 1-room: 4 persons
• 2-room: 4 persons
• 3-room: 6 persons
• 4-room: 6 persons
• 5-room: 6 persons
• Executive: 6 persons

There is also a limit on the number of tenants you can have in the HDB flat you’re renting out. If you’re renting out your bedrooms, there’s also a limit on the number of rooms you can rent out and tenants in each flat

Responsibilities as a Landlord:

• As a landlord, you are responsible for ensuring that your flat is safe and habitable for your tenants. This includes making necessary repairs and ensuring that the flat is clean and well-maintained.
• You must also comply with all relevant laws and regulations, including the Residential Tenancies Act and the HDB’s regulations for renting out your flat.
• You are required to purchase fire insurance for your flat and provide a copy of the insurance policy to your tenants.
• You must also ensure that your tenants are not engaging in illegal activities on your property.

Procedure:

1. The first step is to check whether your flat is eligible for renting out. Only bedrooms from HDB flats that are 3-room or larger can be rented out.
2. You must apply for HDB’s approval. It’s mandatory that you get approval from HDB when renting out your flat or bedroom before the tenancy period commences. You must notify HDB if there are any changes in the rental within seven days. These include changes in your tenants’ particulars or if the rental is terminated.
3. Once you have found a tenant, you will need to prepare and sign a tenancy agreement. This agreement should include details such as the rental amount, the duration of the tenancy, and any other terms and conditions that you and the tenant have agreed upon.
4. You can advertise your flat on the Internet, in newspapers, or through an estate agent.
5. You may rent your HDB flat to the following types of tenants: Singaporeans, Malaysians, non-Malaysian non-citizens, and non-citizens who are either Employment Pass or S Pass holders. If your potential tenant is a foreigner, please verify their immigration status on
   ICA’s website. You may also check their employment pass or S pass validity on MOM’s website. You may not rent your HDB flat to parties who own other HDB properties, unless you are renting out the whole flat.

By following the steps outlined in this article, landlords can ensure that they are renting out their property legally and responsibly. You can successfully rent out your HDB flat and also earn extra income.