URA seeks feedback on proposed rules on short-term stays

Under the current law, private houses in Singapore can only be rented out for a minimum of three months.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) on Monday (16 Apr) launched a public consultation on a proposed regulatory framework for short-term private home rentals.

The proposed framework includes qualifying criteria for homes that can be used for short-term accommodations (STAs), as well as requirements and conditions that homeowners must follow. It also covers the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders like Management Corporations and home sharing platforms in ensuring that short-term rentals are conducted in accordance with the proposed rules.

Read the URA’s proposed regulations here.

In a Facebook post yesterday, National Development Minister Lawrence Wong, said: “In our compact, high-rise living environment, we always have to be careful about creating any potential disamenities or impacting the residential nature of our neighbourhoods. That’s why we’ve been very cautious about allowing short-term accommodation in Singapore.

“After studying the issue for some time, we think it is possible to allow such STAs in private residential properties, but subject to appropriate regulations and safeguards.”

 

 

The proposed regulatory framework follows a 2015 public consultation by URA. Back then, it reviewed the public’s feedback and worked with relevant agencies to formulate the proposed rules.

Under the current law, private houses can only be rented out for a minimum of three months.

Earlier this month, Singaporeans Yao Song Liang and Terence Tan En Wei who had pleaded guilty for unauthorised short-term letting via Airbnb were fined $60,000 each.

The public can share their views on the proposed framework at https://ura.sg/sta or at the REACH Portal until the end of May.

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Romesh Navaratnarajah, Senior Editor at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact him about this or other stories, email romesh@propertyguru.com.sg