Disciplinary measures have been taken against property agents who facilitated the sale of Build-to-Order (BTO) flats before their minimum occupancy pe
Disciplinary measures have been taken against property agents who facilitated the sale of Build-to-Order (BTO) flats before their minimum occupancy period (MOP) was met, Minister for National Development Desmond Lee informed Parliament on Monday (Jan 9).
The minister was responding to parliamentary questions raised by several Members of Parliament regarding homeowners who left their flats vacant for extended periods before fulfilling the MOP.
Between 2017 and 2022, the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) investigated 51 cases involving 69 property agents who assisted in marketing such flats, Lee shared. Of these, six agents were suspended for periods ranging from seven to 48 weeks and fined between $2,000 and $5,000. Two agents were issued letters of censure, with one fined $1,000. Additionally, 10 agents received warning letters, and 19 cases remain under investigation.
“If a property agent has reasonable cause to suspect that Housing and Development Board (HDB) MOP rules have been infringed, they must inform their client of the potential consequences and stop marketing the property,” Lee clarified.
500 Monthly Random Inspections
During the session, Jamus Lim (WP-Sengkang GRC) asked whether HDB employs “automated mechanisms” to detect homeowners not residing in their flats during the MOP.
Lee responded that HDB identifies rule breaches through random inspections—conducting 500 inspections monthly—along with feedback from the public and property agents. Some suggestions included monitoring utility meters and reviewing season parking or renovation permits. However, Lee emphasized the need to respect the privacy of the 1.1 million homeowners, most of whom follow the rules.
‘Blank Canvas’ BTO Flats Listed for Sale
Lee’s remarks follow reports of HDB flats in “original BTO condition” being listed for sale on property websites. Under HDB rules, homeowners are required to live in their BTO flats during the five-year MOP, starting from the moment they receive their keys.
HDB may impose penalties, including fines up to $50,000 or even compulsory acquisition of flats, for those found breaching MOP rules. In December, a five-room unit in Bukit Batok East Avenue 6 was listed on PropertyGuru for $688,888, showing photos that indicated it had been left vacant for years. Another pristine five-room flat in Yishun was also listed under similar conditions.
Between 2017 and November 2022, 53 homeowners were penalized by HDB for not occupying their flats. Of these, 21 flats were compulsorily acquired, while the remaining homeowners were fined or issued warnings.
COMMENTS