Rules and Regulations for Renting a Public Housing Airbnb in Singapore

Angela Brown
6 min readApr 7, 2023

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Are you planning to rent a public housing Airbnb in Singapore? It is important to know the rules and regulations to avoid legal issues. This post will offer a thorough overview of everything you should know before booking an Airbnb in Singapore architecture tour.

What is Public Housing in Singapore?

The Housing and Development Board (HDB) manages public housing in Singapore, a government agency that provides affordable housing for Singaporeans. These HDB flats are usually located in housing estates and come in different sizes and types to cater to different family sizes and budgets. In recent years, the rise of Airbnb has led to an increase in HDB flats being rented out as short-term accommodation.

Airbnb Singapore Public Housing for Foreigners

Foreigners cannot rent public housing in Singapore as short-term accommodation, including through platforms like Airbnb. The government subsidizes public housing in Singapore to provide affordable housing for Singapore citizens and permanent residents. Only Singapore citizens and permanent residents can rent public housing as short-term accommodation and comply with the rules and regulations set by the Housing Development Board (HDB). Therefore, if you are a foreigner looking to rent accommodation in Singapore, you must explore other options, such as hotels, serviced apartments, or private residential properties.

Rules and Regulations for Renting a Public Housing Airbnb in Singapore

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Before renting a public housing Airbnb in Singapore, it is important to take note of the following rules and regulations:

Check the Eligibility Criteria

To rent a public housing Airbnb in Singapore, you must be a Singaporean citizen or permanent resident. The government subsidizes public housing to provide affordable housing for citizens and permanent residents. Foreigners are not allowed to rent public housing as short-term accommodation.

Check if the Host is Authorized

It is important to check if the host can rent their public housing unit as short-term accommodation. The HDB has strict rules on public housing rental, and unauthorized rental can result in legal action. You can check HDB’s list of approved hosts on their website to verify the host’s authorization.

Check the Minimum Rental Period

The rental period for a public housing Airbnb in Singapore is capped at 90 days per calendar year. It’s to prevent the unit from being used for commercial purposes and to ensure that public housing is used for residential purposes only. Hosts must also record the rental period and provide it to the HDB upon request.

Noise and Nuisance

Hosts and guests must ensure that they do not cause any disturbance to the surrounding neighborhood. Loud music and parties are prohibited, and guests must respect their neighbor’s right to peace. Hosts are responsible for ensuring their guests comply with the rules and regulations.

Check the Maximum Number of Guests

The maximum number of guests in a public housing Airbnb in Singapore is six. It includes both adults and children. The host may face legal action if there are more than six guests.

No Parties or Events Allowed

Parties and events are strictly prohibited in public housing Airbnbs in Singapore. This

includes birthday parties, bachelor parties, and any other form of gathering that involves loud music or excessive noise.

No Smoking or Drug Use Allowed

Smoking and drug use are not allowed in public housing Airbnbs in Singapore. It’s a strict rule that hosts must enforce, and any violation can result in legal action.

No Pets Allowed

Pets are not allowed in public housing Airbnbs in Singapore. It’s to ensure the cleanliness and hygiene of the property.

Check the House Rules

Before booking a public housing Airbnb in Singapore, read the house rules carefully. The host may have additional rules and regulations you must abide by during your stay.

Consequences of Breaking the Rules and Regulations

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Breaking any rules and regulations for renting a public housing Airbnb in Singapore can result in legal action. The consequences include fines, imprisonment, and even permanent disqualification from renting public housing.

Breaking the rules and regulations for renting public housing Airbnb in Singapore can have serious consequences. The Housing and Development Board (HDB) takes unauthorized public housing rentals seriously and has implemented strict measures to deter offenders.

Firstly, violators can face fines of up to $200,000, depending on the severity of the offense. For example, if the host is found to have rented out their public housing Airbnb for commercial purposes or a longer period than allowed, they can face a fine of up to $200,000.

Secondly, the HDB may also take legal action against violators. Offenders can face imprisonment of up to 12 months or, in some cases, even longer. Permanent disqualification from renting public housing may also be imposed.

In addition to the legal consequences, violators may also face financial losses. Any revenue earned from unauthorized rental may be forfeited, and the authorities may seize the property.

It is important to note that the HDB has stepped up its enforcement efforts in recent years. They have deployed enforcement officers to conduct spot checks and investigations to ensure compliance with the rules and regulations. They have also implemented a hotline for the public to report any suspected unauthorized rental of public housing.

In conclusion, breaking the rules and regulations for renting a public housing Airbnb in Singapore can have severe consequences. It is important to comply with the laws and regulations to avoid legal and financial troubles. Being responsible and adhering to the rules allows you to enjoy your stay in Singapore public housing without any issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is eligible to rent a public housing Airbnb in Singapore?

A: Only Singapore citizens and permanent residents can rent public housing as short-term accommodation.

Q: How long can I rent a public housing Airbnb in Singapore?

A: The rental period for a public housing Airbnb in Singapore is capped at 90 days per calendar year.

Q: How many guests can I have in a public housing Airbnb in Singapore?

A: The number of guests allowed in a public housing Airbnb in Singapore is limited to the maximum occupancy of the unit. Hosts can be at most the maximum occupancy, and guests cannot bring additional mattresses or furniture to accommodate more people.

Q: What are the consequences of breaking the rules and regulations for renting a public housing Airbnb in Singapore?

A: Breaking the rules and regulations for renting public housing Airbnb in Singapore can have serious consequences. Violators can face fines of up to $200,000, imprisonment, permanent disqualification from renting public housing, and financial losses. The HDB has also stepped up its enforcement efforts in recent years, deploying enforcement officers to conduct spot checks and investigations to ensure compliance with the rules and regulations.

Q: How can a host rent out their public housing unit as short-term accommodation?

A: You can check HDB’s list of approved hosts on their website to verify the host’s authorization.

Conclusion

Renting public housing Airbnb in Singapore can be a convenient and affordable option for short-term accommodation. However, it is important to know the rules and regulations to avoid legal issues. Read the house rules before booking and enjoy your stay in Singapore public housing! Remember to check the eligibility criteria, verify if the host is authorized, and adhere to the minimum rental period and a maximum number of guests. Do not engage in parties, smoking, drug use, or bringing pets.

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