About 70 flats taken back by HDB for flouting minimum occupation period rules, unauthorised rentals

Case 1: Not staying in BTO flat

A couple bought a five-room Build-to-Order (BTO) flat in 2015 but left it unoccupied after collecting their keys. They stayed at a landed property owned by the wife’s parent instead.

They also put the flat up for sale, marketing it as vacant.

HDB was notified that the flat was being advertised for sale and photos showed that it was in a “bare condition”. An inspection also confirmed that the flat was untouched.

“Non-occupation of the flat during the MOP is a serious lease infringement. As the owners did not occupy the flat and had alternative accommodation, HDB compulsorily acquired the flat,” said the Housing Board. 

Case 2: Unauthorised rental

A woman who bought a three-room HDB flat from the resale market in 2018 with her children applied for approval to rent out one bedroom.

It was stated in the terms and conditions of the approval that the owner and authorised occupiers must continue staying in the flat during the rental.

However, HDB later received feedback that the whole flat had been rented out. 

Investigations revealed that the woman and her children had never lived in the flat. She had bought the unit solely to generate rental income and did not need it for accommodation.

Case 3: Private property purchased in trust for son

A couple bought an executive apartment in 2017 and their son and daughter were listed as authorised occupiers.

In December 2020, the husband and his father purchased a private residential property in trust for the younger man’s son, who is a minor.

Flat owners are not allowed to buy private property during the MOP, including buying one in trust for another person.

HDB suggested that the husband either relinquish the trusteeship and transfer ownership of the private property to his father, or sell the private property.

However, he told HDB that he was not keen on either option and took no further steps to regularise the infringement, despite repeated reminders from the Housing Board.