RENTAL REDUCTION FOR SHOPS AFFECTED BY MRT WORK (Criteria)

Dr Ho Tat Kin asked the Minister for National Development what criteria are being used to decide whether a shophouse, which is affected by Mass Rapid Transit construction work, should be given a 15% or a 30% reduction in shop rental.

The Minister for National Development (Mr Teh Cheang Wan): Mr Speaker, Sir, the quantum of rent rebate granted to shop tenants depends on the extent the business is affected by the MRT construction works.

A 30% rent rebate is given to shop tenants whose premises are adversely affected by MRT works. In these instances, the MRT works and hoardings block the frontages or the access to the shops.

Shop tenants whose premises are less adversely affected are granted a 15% rent rebate. In such instances, MRT works may cause some inconvenience, but they do not directly block the frontages or the access to the shops.

Dr Ho Tat Kin (Boon Teck): Sir, is the Minister willing to consider back-dating the reduction in shop rental to the time when construction work began at the worksite?

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Mr Speaker, Sir, the answer is no.