URA's reply, 4 Jun 2014

Checks on illegal tenants: URA replies

We thank Mr Stephen Lim Poh Chye for his letter ("Step up checks for illegal tenants"; Forum Online, last Wednesday).

We had followed up on his earlier feedback in September last year but there was insufficient evidence. We have re-initiated investigations following his latest feedback, and have been in touch with him.

Last year, we investigated 2,100 cases of unauthorised use in private residential properties. However, not all the cases lead to enforcement because some turned out to be bona fide rental arrangements. Others may not be straightforward when the evidence is not conclusive and need further investigations.

Timothy Lee
Ag Director (Development Control, East 2 Department)
Urban Redevelopment Authority

Letter, 28 May 2014, Straits Times Online

Step up checks for illegal tenants

I moved into a condominium in Hougang  Avenue 7 two  years  ago with  my  family. Things were peaceful until my immediate neighbour, a permanent resident from Indonesia, moved in a few months later and started renting out his unit ("Medical tourists flouting short-term rental rule" by Ms Beatrice Tang; last Saturday). 

The tenants stay for only a few days, treating the private estate like a hotel. 

I wrote several e-mail messages to the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and was told the authority was looking into the matter, but nothing has been done about it. 

In fact, the situation is getting worse, with many tenants renting single rooms instead of the whole  unit.  Most  of  them  got  the  rooms  through  online  portals  such  as  Airbnb  and Roomorama. 

Why are so many short-term tenants allowed in the first place? How many such cases must residents tolerate before the URA will take action? 

I urge the URA to step up checks on my condominium. It needs to work with law enforcers and the condo's security to put a stop to this practice immediately. 

Stephen Lim Poh Chyee