Excluding Malaysians, foreigners were previously only allowed to rent HDB flats for a period of 18 months.
The Housing and Development Board (HDB) announced on Tuesday (18 Dec) that starting next year, foreigners, excluding Malaysian citizens, will be able to rent HDB flats or bedrooms for as long as two years, up from the current 18 months.
“This revision will give flat owners greater flexibility to secure a longer tenancy period with non-citizen tenants who may have work/ immigration passes that are valid for a longer period of two years.”
Find HDB flats for rent or read our HDB guides and BTO guides
The higher maximum tenancy period for foreigners and non-Malaysians will apply to rental applications received by HDB on or after 1 January 2019.
For situations where all tenants of an HDB flat are Singapore and/or Malaysian citizens, the maximum tenancy period remains unchanged at three years.
HDB added that landlords who are currently leasing their flat or bedroom(s) to foreigners, excluding Malaysian citizens, may continue to do so for the remaining duration approved by HDB.
Romesh Navaratnarajah, Senior Editor at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact him about this or other stories, email romesh@propertyguru.com.sg