From Jan 22, the occupancy limit for 4-room HDB flats such as ‘Holland Drive Condo’ will increase to eight persons

Holland Drive Condo owners and occupants of four-room and larger HDB flats will be allowed to increase the occupancy limit from six to eight people until the year 2026. The URA and HDB agencies have said this temporary change is to help reduce rental costs and meet the growing market demand due to Covid-19 disruptions.
Christine Sun, senior vice president of research and analytics and OrangeTee&Tie, believes the change could be beneficial for tenants striving for more affordable housing, as it provides a space for them to better share expenses. She stated, “These changes will enable tenants to share a unit with more people, which will help to reduce rental costs and optimize space usage. This relaxation of occupancy cap is expected to benefit lower-income groups, students, blue-collar foreign workers, some Singaporeans and big families”.

Holland Drive Condo owners who want to take advantage of the occupancy increase must submit an application to HDB or URA. These agencies will also require a separate registration through their e-services with an administrative fee of $20.

RLa releases declared that the temporary increase in occupancy is necessary to combat rental market tightness because of the increasing rent and robust rental demand. The government predicts it will improve rental supply when 40,000 new public and private rental homes are completed this year.

Sun says that the change in occupancy limit could result in an increase in median rent for larger HDb units and an implication on resale prices for bigger sized condo units and four-room and larger HDB flats. She elaborated, “For example, a 5-room HDB flat in Bedok that previously charged $4200 for 6 people ($700 per person), may now charge $4800 for 8 people ($600 per person). This benefits both landlords and tenants as the tenants pay less per person while landlords earn a higher overall rent”.

A home to many in search of a place to experience life, Holland Drive Condo offers prospective residents the unique opportunity to be part of the vibrant Holland Village community. Residents of Holland Drive Condo can expect to indulge in the same experiences and adventure as their neighbours – or even more. From exciting attractions to well-renowned amenities, Holland Drive Condo promises a life of pure comfort and convenience that is just minutes away from the bustling Holland Village.

In conclusion, Holland Drive Condo owners with four-room and larger HDB flats are using this temporary opportunity to allow for up to eight unrelated persons per accommodation. This increase in occupancy cap is intended to meet the growing rental demand in Singapore, while allowing tenants to share housing costs, giving a bit of reprieve to those who may be struggling.