The changes aim to reduce overcrowding and maintain a conducive living environment in HDB estates.
The Housing and Development Board (HDB) has revised the occupancy cap for 4-room and larger HDB flats for rent to six persons, from the current maximum of nine persons.
“The cap for 3-room and smaller flats remains unchanged at six persons and four persons respectively,” HDB said in a statement released on Thursday (1 February).
Made in line with the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s cap of six persons for private homes that are rented out, the revisions “seek to minimise disamenities caused by overcrowding, and to maintain a conducive living environment in our public housing estates”.
It noted that the cap – which will also apply to all living quarters of commercial properties that are being rented out – will take effect for all new and renewal applications submitted from 1 May.
For those approved prior to 1 May, the revised cap will apply upon renewal of the arrangement to rent out or when there are changes in the occupants.
Eugene Lim, key executive officer at ERA Realty, expect the changes to have a “minimal” effect.
“Most tenants prefer to have a room to themselves or at most have two to a room,” he said. “Most landlords would also prefer not to have too many tenants in the same dwelling due to maintenance and wear and tear.”
Meanwhile, HDB advises flat owners as well as commercial owners and tenants “to adhere to the occupancy cap and to seek approval before finalising their tenancy arrangements”.
This comes as enforcement action will be taken against those violating the new rule.
Romesh Navaratnarajah, Senior Editor at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact him about this or other stories, email romesh@propertyguru.com.sg
