Complaints of Real Estate Agents' Involvement in Illegal Sub-Letting of HDB Rental Flats

Ms Sylvia Lim asked the Minister for National Development whether the Government has in the last 24 months received complaints, through the Council for Estate Agencies or other channels, of real estate agents being party to brokering illegal sub-letting of HDB rental flats and, if so, what is the number of such complaints and the outcome of investigations, including the actions taken.

Mr Khaw Boon Wan: In the last 24 months, CEA has investigated three complaints alleging illegal subletting of HDB rental flats. One involved a salesperson who had facilitated the rental transaction of an HDB rental flat and had collected rental deposits and commissions from the tenants. The individual has been prosecuted in Court on 28 March 2013 by CEA for eight charges relating to offences under the Estate Agents Act and Regulations for dual representation, handling transaction monies and failure to attend an interview at CEA. In addition, the individual has been charged by the Police for cheating offences. The CEA investigations are still ongoing for the other two cases.