Proactive Rent Reviews for Public Rental Scheme Tenants Following Changes in Household Circumstances and Per Capita Income Through Inter-agency Data Collaboration

Mr Cai Yinzhou asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether HDB automatically initiates a rent review for Public Rental Scheme tenants upon changes in household circumstances affecting per capita income such as the registration of a newborn; and (b) whether HDB receives data from relevant agencies to proactively identify tenants eligible for an off-cycle rent review.

Rents under the Public Rental Scheme are reviewed during tenancy renewal, which occurs every two to three years.

To ensure the rent remains affordable for the tenants, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) considers multiple factors in deciding the rent to charge, including income, household size and household circumstances. If tenants face financial difficulties paying their rent, they may approach HDB for a rental review.