FOUR home owners have lost their flats in five months after the Housing Board found they had illegally sublet their apartments.

Six others were fined as a results of 2,600 checks done from January to May this year - four times the number of checks in the preceding five months. Of the 300 cases still under investigations, 59 are suspected to have infringed subletting rules.

The figures was revealed in a HDB statement released on Wednesday morning. In March, the HDB said it would enforce strictly against flat owners who illegally sublet their flats.

Flat owners have to fulfil minimum occupation periods of up to five years before they can sublet their whole flats, and obtain approval before doing so. Those who sublet rooms must register their tenant details with the HDB within seven days. Those who flout the rules face fines and compulsory acquisition of the flats.

One of the four cases of home owners whose flats were re-possessed involved a loanshark debtor who allowed the creditor to sublet his flat in order to repay the loan. He sought HDB’s help to regain access to the flat, but did not move in after that.Neither did he evict the sub-tenants despite repeated warnings.

‘We wish to emphasise that HDB flats are meant for owner occupation,’ said the HDB in its statement. Those who want to report suspected cases of illegal subletting can call 1800-555-6370.

Source: Straits Times