Renting out your HDB flat can be a good source of rental income when you are not residing in it. However, there are terms and conditions tied to renting out your HDB flat, especially during the Minimum Occupation Period (MOP).
Renting out unused bedrooms of your HDB flat is a straightforward process using the HDB portal. The requirements are more flexible: you do not have to complete your MOP and Singapore Citizen and Singapore Permanent Residents flat owners are both eligible to rent out HDB bedrooms.
Renting out the whole HDB flat is subject to more restrictions. Only Singapore Citizen flat owners can rent out the entire house. Moreover, you can only rent out your flat after fulfilling the MOP in most circumstances.
In the case that you have not fulfilled your MOP, and there are extenuating circumstances, you may seek an exemption from HDB.
You Can Only Rent Out The Whole Flat During MOP With HDB Exemption
Normally, flat owners who have not fulfilled the MOP are unable to rent out the whole flat. On the HDB portal, this will show that you are ineligible.
However, Singapore citizens with extenuating circumstances, such as overseas studies or a job posting, can consider appealing to HDB for an exemption.
Please note that, as this is an exemption, there is no regular process for this. You will have to write in to HDB directly to seek this exemption. One way is to use HDB’s Write to Us function (under Contact Us > Write to Us) and use the subject of “Living in an HDB Flat”, the category of “Renting Out of Flat (from Home Owner)” and the sub-category of “Application”.
Once you have filled in the form, you will have to wait for HDB to contact you. This will likely take 3 to 5 working days for general enquiries and 14 working days for more complex cases.
While HDB can be understanding of your circumstances, it is on you to prove your extenuating circumstances. Some previously accepted reasons include overseas studies and job postings.
HDB will request documents that support that you are residing overseas during the rental period. This could include school enrolment letters and job contracts.
Do note that during the period of exemption, your MOP is suspended. This means that the renting out period doesn’t count towards fulfilling the MOP.
As HDB flats are meant for owner-occupation, you will also need to resume occupation of the flat when the approval for the renting out of the flat expires.
Read Also: Could Renting Out An HDB Flat To “Retire” Overseas Be The Singapore Dream For Some?
Get A Power of Attorney Before Moving Overseas
While the process of renting out your flat can be done via email and online application, an important document to prepare before moving overseas is the Power of Attorney document.
HDB requires that you appoint a person to manage the flat while you are not in Singapore during the rental period, and this document gives the person the legal authority to do so. The Power of Attorney (POA) document has to be prepared by a lawyer according to HDB’s prescribed standard format.
Most importantly, the document must be signed in the presence of your lawyer in Singapore or a Consular Officer at the Singapore Embassy in the country where you are currently residing. For POAs signed overseas, the original signed document must be couriered back to Singapore for your lawyer to process.
If you are based in an overseas country where the Singapore Embassy is far from your overseas residence, it may be simpler to have this done in Singapore beforehand.
The cost of signing a POA can vary depending on the lawyer’s fees. This can range from $150 to $400.
You Can Make A Formal Online Application Online After HDB Gives Written Approval
Assuming your exemption request is successful, HDB will send you a letter confirming approval. In the letter, you will find a timeframe for submitting the formal online application to rent your entire HDB flat.
Online application costs $18.
Here is the step-by-step guide to the online application:
On MyHDBPage > My Flat > Purchased Flat > Set Up or Manage Application to Rent Out Flat/ Bedroom > Renting Out of Whole Flat
It will show that you have received special approval to rent out the whole flat despite not meeting the MOP.
Select Application to Rent Out the Flat (with special approval). On the next page, you will see the terms and conditions of renting out your flat with special approval, including the NC quota.
You are then required to fill in the details, including your POA.
The next step is to fill in your rental arrangements and tenant details. Then, agreeing to the declaration.
In short, renting out your entire HDB flat during the MOP should be seen as a temporary arrangement, not a workaround. Approval is discretionary, comes with conditions, and pauses your MOP clock. If you plan ahead and understand these trade-offs, it can offer short-term flexibility — but it should not be treated as a long-term plan.
Read Also: What Landlords Need To Know Before Renting Out Their HDB Flat or Bedroom In Singapore
