18 owners lose flats after illegal subletting

[reporter2]

http://www.straitstimes.com/PrimeNew...ry_821244.html

18 owners lose flats after illegal subletting

Published on Jul 12, 2012


EIGHTEEN owners lost their flats last year after the HDB caught them 'blatantly infringing' subletting rules.

One involved a couple who had rented out their flat to tourists.

They had bought their Tampines executive apartment from the open market in September 2009.

They then advertised on the Internet for the flat to be used on a daily basis.

HDB investigated and found that it was sublet to different groups of tourists for short-term stays.

As this was a serious infringement, HDB took action to compulsorily acquire the flat.

HDB conducted 7,000 flat inspections last year.

This was the same number in 2010, but up from 3,000 inspections in 2009.

Action was taken against 56 owners last year for unauthorised subletting.

While most were fined, 18 had their flats taken away.

HDB did not reveal whether the offenders were citizens or PRs.

[carbuncle]

PUBLISH ALL THEIR NAMES IN MEDIA TO SHAME THEM

TEACH ALL THESE SHAMELESS FREELOADERS (of taxpayer monies) A LESSON

[focus]

Wa... consificate flats got refund of money or not?

[kane]

Some time back netizens manage to single out the location of some "hotel" flat from the view outside of the window from the advertised pics.

[thomastansb]

Seized or buy back? Big difference leh...

[Allthepies]

Seized or buy back? Big difference leh...

they shld be fined, buy back and jailed : )

[howgozit]

It is rampant and we'll hear news of it every once in a while... if nobody reports it, how can anybody find out.

http://www.asiaone.com/Business/News...12-273149.html

http://www.asiaone.com/Business/My+M...12-204267.html

I think HDB is too kind to just acquire the flat, with appreciation, the offenders can even make money some more.

[kane]

Renting to tourist is a complete abuse of the system.

[felicia_sg]

HDB should buy back at 90% their previous purchase price or 80% of valuation price, whichever is lower. Very fair already since they commit crime...

It is rampant and we'll hear news of it every once in a while... if nobody reports it, how can anybody find out.

http://www.asiaone.com/Business/News...12-273149.html

http://www.asiaone.com/Business/My+M...12-204267.html

I think HDB is too kind to just acquire the flat, with appreciation, the offenders can even make money some more.

[carbuncle]

HDB should buy back at 90% their previous purchase price or 80% of valuation price, whichever is lower. Very fair already since they commit crime...

Then resell to others who waited long long for it at 200% of the price right, thereby committing another crime. LOL

[Allthepies]

money is really nothing to the rich hdb abusers. imposed mandatory jail term will act as a very strong deterrent move.

[teddybear]

Cannot lah, renting out house won't kill or harm anybody else, not like speeding, how to impose mandatory jail term when the repeated offence of speeding twice don't attract a mandatory jail term?

money is really nothing to the rich hdb abusers. imposed mandatory jail term will act as a very strong deterrent move.