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.