The rule, which will take effect on February 1, requires flat owners to inform HDB when they terminate or renew their sub-lets, and if there are changes in their particular sub-tenants.
HDB said that the new rule will support the effort of the Ministry of Home Affairs to eradicate loan-shark activities, as well as to protect HDB residents.
Some people are currently using their old addresses to borrow from loansharks while renting a room in another HDB unit.
By moving into a new residence without updating their addresses in the NRICs, new occupants of the flat end-up being harassed by loansharks while the original borrowers remain untraceable.
With the new rule, HDB is able to compare the particulars of sub-tenants, while MHA can trace the location of borrowers.
This new rule is applied to all new and existing cases of HDB sub-lets. As for those with existing sub-let cases, the flat owners have six months to register.
Those who fail to abide with the new rule will face a penalty of $3,000. Repeat offenders may have their flats confiscated by HDB.
Source: PropertyGuru.com.sg, 13 Jan 2010
