Actions against Short-term Rentals of Homes

Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether there has been an increasing number of cases reported for illegal short-term rentals in private properties via apps, such as Airbnb; (b) what actions has the Ministry taken against recalcitrant owners who continue to engage in such illegal short-term rentals; and (c) what can residents do to report such breaches in view of the consequent security concerns.

The number of cases reported for short-term rentals in private homes has risen over the past few years. The number of such reports rose from 377 in 2015 to 608 in 2016. For 2017, there have been 415 reports as of July.

Residents who suspect their neighbours of conducting short-term rentals can provide feedback to the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). URA reviews public feedback about short-term rentals, regardless of whether the cited infringement is facilitated by online applications or by other platforms.

Once URA establishes a case of short-term rental activity in violation of the Planning Act, it will serve an enforcement notice on the party responsible for the offence. In most cases, offenders have complied and ceased the unauthorised use. In the case of recalcitrant offenders and in egregious cases of parties operating multiple short-term rental units in a single development, URA will take court action against them for a breach of the Planning Act.