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Category: Singapore
Discover our Singapore News section, delivering real-time and comprehensive coverage of local news in Singapore. Stay informed on politics, economy, society, culture, and more, as we dive deep into the Lion City’s developments.
In Singapore, residential properties such as condominiums, walk-up apartments, flats, bungalows, semi-detached, and terrace houses are intended for long-term residence. As a result, using these properties for short-term accommodation, defined as stays of less than three consecutive months, is prohibited by law. This includes renting out properties as hotels, hostels, motels, bed and breakfasts, or homestays to short-term visitors, often done through online home-sharing platforms.
The purpose of this regulation is to ensure the safety, privacy, and security of homes and preserve the residential character of local communities. The frequent coming and going of short-term visitors can compromise these aspects.
Property owners and tenants are responsible for ensuring their properties are not used for short-term accommodation. Owners should exercise due diligence and regularly check their properties. Those found guilty of engaging in short-term accommodation face a minimum fine of up to $5,000. Recalcitrant individuals or those engaging in short-term accommodation at multiple properties may be taken to court, resulting in significantly heavier fines.
Management Corporations (MCSTs) play a crucial role in tightening security measures to minimize the occurrence of short-term accommodation activities in their developments. They can enhance visitor screening procedures, especially for those carrying luggage, and record details of their units and entry/exit dates.
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) collaborates with MCSTs to investigate suspected short-term accommodation activities. Promptly providing accurate and up-to-date information to the URA is essential to expedite investigations and enforcement actions.
Visitors to Singapore should also be aware of these regulations. Those staying for less than three consecutive months have options such as hotels (no minimum stay duration) and serviced apartments (minimum stay duration of seven days). Visitors who choose to book short-term accommodation at private residential properties may be required to assist in investigations if found staying at the property during authorities’ checks. They may also face inconvenience and additional costs for alternative accommodation as some MCSTs and security officers actively enforce these regulations.
In light of the recent incident involving a Foodpanda rider struggling to locate a stall due to language barriers, it raises the question of whether stall signs should be changed to English in order to accommodate the diverse workforce of delivery riders in Singapore.
While the idea of changing stall signs to English might seem like a simple solution, it is essential to take into account the importance of preserving Singapore’s multicultural heritage.
A foodpanda rider has now taken to TikTok to point out one of the reasons behind a delayed delivery.
Resolving this issue requires collaboration among the government, stall owners, and food delivery platforms. The government can provide support and guidance at the policy level by establishing standards and guidelines for stall owners. Stall owners should recognize that improving signage can help enhance delivery efficiency, ultimately attracting more customers. Food delivery platforms should also take responsibility for communicating with stall owners to ensure that the information displayed on their apps matches the actual situation.
Additionally, attention should be paid to other challenges faced by delivery riders, such as road safety, work pressure, and labor rights. To improve the overall standards of the food delivery industry, all parties should work together to address these issues and create a fair, safe, and efficient delivery environment.
In conclusion, finding a balance between respecting cultural diversity and improving delivery efficiency is crucial when considering whether stall signs should be changed to English. Through the joint efforts of all stakeholders, we can ensure that Singapore’s food delivery industry continues to develop and improve while addressing challenges. This will not only enhance customer satisfaction but also provide more support and care for delivery riders in their work.
Recently, the Singapore government has begun cracking down on tax evasion in the real estate sector, particularly a loophole known as the “100-1 scheme.”
This scheme allows Buyer A to purchase a property first, and after fulfilling the sales agreement, sell 1% of the property ownership to Buyer B (who may have to pay additional stamp duty and have a higher loan limit). This method achieves the goal of tax savings and higher loan amounts but is highly unethical and even illegal.
The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) has launched a rigorous investigation into this issue. In this scheme, Buyer A is typically a child with no property ownership, exempt from paying the Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD). Before the transaction is completed, the child sells 1% of the property to their parents, who may already own properties, enabling the parents to pay only 1% of the property price as ABSD, achieving tax savings and higher loan limits. However, this scheme is illegal, and the IRAS may scrutinize all similar transactions since the implementation of the ABSD policy in 2011. Violators will face tax evasion fines ranging from 50% to 400%.
It is worth noting that the 100-1 scheme is different from the 99-1 scheme. In the 99-1 scheme, a married couple pays the ABSD according to their respective statuses and, through a law firm, each holds a 99-1 property ownership share. This arrangement facilitates future decoupling of the ownership: one party sells 1% of the ownership to the other, allowing one of them to purchase another property. This scheme does not involve tax evasion since both parties have already paid the ABSD at the outset.
The Singapore government’s crackdown on tax evasion in the real estate sector aims to maintain a fair and just tax environment. For those looking to purchase property, it may be wise to buy sooner rather than later.
Singaporeans are known for their top-notch skills in queuing up and online booking.
However, when it comes to booking slots at polyclinics, many patients are feeling uneasy. A netizen expressed difficulties in booking polyclinic appointments online on Reddit:
“In the past, you could go straight to the polyclinic when you were sick without making an appointment. Nowadays, you must book in advance, making it difficult for patients who fall sick suddenly to see a doctor on the same day.”
This phenomenon suggests that Singapore’s medical resources may be under pressure and require government intervention. The government could consider increasing the number of slots at polyclinics to allow more patients to receive timely treatment. In addition, the government could optimize the booking system to improve efficiency and meet patients’ needs.
In response to this issue, many netizens shared their experiences and suggestions. Some mentioned that patients in emergency situations can receive priority treatment, while non-emergency patients can visit nearby Community Health Assistance Scheme clinics. Moreover, some netizens suggested keeping an eye on the opening times of the booking system to secure appointments in advance.
At the same time, this issue raises other questions, such as why some polyclinics are difficult to book while others are not? Netizens believe that this may be related to the population density and age structure of the area where the clinic is located. Some areas have a higher proportion of elderly residents, resulting in greater demand for appointment slots.
The government could take more measures in this regard, such as setting up clinics dedicated to serving the elderly to alleviate the pressure on polyclinics. Meanwhile, the government could also strengthen cooperation with the private sector, encouraging more private clinics to participate in the Community Health Assistance Scheme, providing patients with more options.
In conclusion, the Singapore government needs to pay attention to this issue and take effective measures to ensure the fair distribution of medical resources, allowing all patients to receive timely and appropriate medical services.
If you own a private residential property and wish to rent it out, you must adhere to the following rules.
Occupancy cap
All types of private residential property are subjected to an occupancy cap of six unrelated persons per property.
Unrelated persons refer to anyone who is not part of the same family unit.
Domestic helpers are considered part of the same family unit. The occupancy cap also applies to tenants who sublet the property.
As the property owner, you must ensure that your tenants follow the rules.
Examples
A family of six with domestic helpers are considered as part of the same family unit and will not be subjected to the occupancy cap. However, a family of four who stays and rents out part of their property is subjected to the occupancy cap. They are allowed to accommodate a maximum of two additional unrelated persons on the property.
Partitioning
If you plan to carry out any internal partitioning works on your property, you must ensure that it does not compromise the nature of your property as a single self-sufficient residential unit with essential features such as a living/dining area and a kitchen.
Registration of Tenants
For property owners, you do not need to register your tenants with URA. If your property is rented out to an employer who intends to house foreign employees, the occupancy cap of six unrelated persons per property applies. The addresses of these employees must be updated on the Ministry of Manpower website by the employer. You can check the number of foreign employees registered on your property via Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) website. For tenancy guidelines related to renting out a Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat, visit HDB’s website for details.
Short-Term Accommodation
You are not allowed to rent out your property on a daily or weekly basis. Private residential properties must be rented out for at least three consecutive months.
