Effect of Temporary Relaxation of Occupancy Cap on Number of HDB Rental Units and of Unrelated Persons Per Flat

Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for National Development since the Temporary Relaxation of Occupancy Cap was introduced (a) what is the total number of 4-room and larger Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat rentals approved; and (b) of which, what is (i) the number of rentals which involve more than six unrelated persons and (ii) the average number of unrelated persons per flat.

The occupancy cap for 4-room and larger Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats was temporarily relaxed to allow such flats to house up to eight unrelated persons from 22 January 2024 to 31 December 2026. Between 22 January 2024 and 31 March 2024, HDB has approved 18,800 applications from owners of 4-room and larger flats to rent out their flats or bedrooms. Of these, the average number of unrelated persons per flat was four persons. Only 3.6%, or 670 rental approvals, comprised more than six unrelated persons.