The government is considering creating a new building-use category for private homes whose owners wish to offer their property for short-term rent.
In light of the growing number of homes offered for short-term rentals, the management committees of some condominiums have taken matters into their own hands by passing by-laws aimed at preventing the misuse of apartments, reported TODAYonline.
The measures taken include forcing residents to present tenancy agreements, placing notices of short-term rental guidelines at lifts and lift lobbies, and limiting access to the condominium through the main lobby.
On Monday (6 February), Parliament passed laws that disallows the use of private homes for short-term stay, effectively making it illegal for owners to rent out their property via online homestay portals like Roomorama and Airbnb, reported Channel NewsAsia.
National Development Minister Lawrence Wong, however, revealed plans to create a new building-use category for private homes whose owners wish to offer their property for short-term rent. He noted that the authorities are also looking at reducing the six-month minimum rental period.
“But whatever adjustments we may make to this minimum period, it is clear that we will not accommodate residential homes that are put up for daily rental,” said Wong.
“Such premises which are rented out daily ought to be regulated more like hotels rather than residential homes, and should be subject to relevant license and conditions to ensure proper standards.”
In a separate report by Channel NewsAsia, Airbnb said while it is “committed to working with the government to adopt a model of home-sharing that works for Singapore”, it is disappointed that discussion on the issue has not moved forward.
Romesh Navaratnarajah, Senior Editor at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact him about this or other stories, email romesh@propertyguru.com.sg
