CO-TENANTS OF RENTAL FLATS

CO-TENANTS OF RENTAL FLATS

20.

Mr Lim Biow Chuan asked the Minister for National Development whether HDB can allow existing tenants of rental flats whose co-tenants have passed away to retain their flats without having to find replacement co-tenants.

Mr Mah Bow Tan: A low income, single person without any housing option may apply for a rental flat with another eligible single under the Joint Singles Scheme. As public rental flats are heavily subsidised and limited in number, HDB requires the pairing of two singles for a rental flat in order to help as many of the needy as possible. The pairing also enables co-tenants to provide care and support for each other.

For these reasons, HDB requires the remaining tenant of a public rental flat to include another eligible occupier upon the demise of the original co-tenant.

HDB will provide the remaining tenant sufficient time to find an eligible occupier. If the tenant has difficulty in doing so, HDB can assist to pair him with another single person so that he is able to continue to rent a subsidised rental flat.

We seek the Member's understanding that HDB needs to optimise the use of public rental flats to help as many needy persons as possible.

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