Budget 2013: New restrictions on renting HDB flats out to foreigners
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To prevent the formation of foreign enclaves in some HDB blocks and estates, the Government will implement a quota on the number of flats which can be rented out to foreigners.
This includes those here on work passes as well as permanent residents, but excludes Malaysians as they face less integration issues, said National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan in Parliament today during the debate for his ministry's budget.
Responding to a call from West Coast GRC MP Foo Mee Har for a quota of 10 per cent to address her worry that foreign enclaves are sprouting, Mr Khaw said the ministry must do the analysis to see if 10 per cent is the appropriate quota, but that he agrees in principle on the need to impose one.
While the details of the new quota are being sorted out, HDB will halve the period of approval for new sub-letting arrangements to foreigners from three years to 18 months.
It will do the same for renewals of existing sub-letting arrangements to foreigners.
The new cap takes effect immediately, while the details of the quota will be announced when ready, he said.
