SUBLETTING OF ENTIRE HDB FLAT

Dr Kanwaljit Soin asked the Acting Minister for National Development if he will state the criteria for subletting the entire Housing and Development Board flat.

Mr Lim Hng Kiang: The following categories of lessees are allowed to sublet their entire HDB flat, subject to HDB's approval:

(a) lessees who are residing in quarters provided by their employers;

(b) lessees who have to go abroad for work or study, and whose family members/permitted occupiers accompany them;

(c) lessees who have to go abroad for work or study, leaving behind household members, such as children or aged parents, who cannot take care of themselves;

(d) lessees who are the sole occupiers of their flats, and who require hospitalisation for more than 6 months;

(e) lessees who are sub-tenants, tenants or owners of

• HDB shops with dwellings, or
• private commercial properties with dwellings,who have to stay in the shop to look after their businesses;

(f) grandparents/guardians/Public Trustees who are holding the flats in trust for minor children of deceased lessees;

(g) sick or physically unfit single lessees who move in with their children or relatives; and

(h) lessees who have other reasons acceptable to HDB.

All other lessees must occupy their flats, although they can sublet all except 1 room in the flats. This is because subsidised public housing should be used for owner-occupation, and not as an investment for rental income.