HDB Rental and Sub-letting Rules to Prevent Formation of Foreign Worker Enclaves in Housing Estates

Ms Foo Mee Har asked the Minister for National Development what rental and sub-letting rules are being applied at HDB estates to prevent the formation of foreign worker enclaves and to ensure a balanced mix of ethnicity and locals/foreigners among communities living in public housing estates on rental basis.

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The Minister for National Development (Mr Khaw Boon Wan): Sir, we do not have the equivalent of the Ethnic Integration Policy or Singapore Permanent Resident quota policy in the management of the number of foreign workers renting HDB flats or rooms. This is because unlike the sale of HDB flats for longer-term occupation, the renting of a flat or a room is a temporary housing arrangement.

Nonetheless, we have subletting rules limiting the number of subtenants allowed for each flat type. Flat owners who sublet their flats or rooms are also required to observe the terms and conditions of subletting. Should there be any disamenity created by the subtenants, the subletting approval could be revoked and the flat owners would be required to evict the subtenants.

Currently, foreign workers renting flats or rooms from HDB lessees form about 5% of the total population living in HDB flats. These include holders of Employment Passes, S- Passes, Professional Visit Passes and some Work Permit holders. Work Permit holders who are non-Malaysian construction workers are not eligible to rent HDB flats or rooms.

HDB is monitoring the situation. We will, if necessary, consider appropriate measures to discourage the formation of significant foreign worker enclaves in HDB estates.