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A new HDB flat at Yishun has been converted into a “budget hotel” by a Filipina, who advertised her transient home service on various websites, including Facebook.
As it was an affordable place to stay, many short-term visitors and job-hunters, mainly Filipinos, started making enquiries.
One advert read, “Hi, we have transient rooms and bedspace for rent for Filipinos, located in Yishun.”
It also stated that the new apartment comes equipped with different amenities for a comfortable stay. Much cheaper than regular budget hotels in Singapore, a night’s stay at the unit only costs S$25 per head.
However, some netizens who spotted the ad have reported it on various online and social media sites. Photos of the unit were also downloaded, before the account was deleted, which helped others trace the flat.
The flat was found to be located at Block 450 in Jade Spring on Yishun Ring Road, which is close to several shopping and commercial amenities.
The BTO unit was completed about six months ago, which means only Singaporeans are eligible to purchase a unit. It is unclear whether the foreigner was a new citizen or was renting it from a Singaporean.
However, she was unlikely to have been granted any license to operate a hotel out of the HDB flat, as the Hotels Act (Chapter 127), section 7(1) states, “No person shall keep or manage any premises for the purposes of a hotel unless he is the holder of a valid licence granted in respect of the premises in accordance with the provisions of this Act.”
Moreover, Section 16(7) declares that, “Any person guilty of the offence shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding S$2,000 and, in the case of a second or subsequent offence, to such fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.”
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Reader Comments: (4 comments)
The government should enforce renting of HDBs - no renting to foreigners and PRs, when Singaporeans do not even have a roof over their heads.
Please go back to basics. HDB for housing, not rental. Once and for all, ban HDB from rental.
Yes agreed Pete, it is quite prevalent as the rentals are not controlled. It is rare for a NEW unit to be used like this, but common in old units. Tenants or owners all are doing it, HDB isn't strict enough I guess.
There are many using HDB flats as hostels, just that they don't advertise it.