Written answer by Ministry of National Development on infringements of Planning Act 1998 relating to letting out of short-term accommodation

Aug 7, 2024

Question No: 6243

Question by: Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis

To ask the Minister for National Development (a) over the last five years, what is the number of infringements of the Planning Act 1998 relating to the letting out of short-term accommodation; (b) what is the total number and amount of fines that have been meted out; and (c) whether platforms where such listings are located are also fined in these cases.

Answer:

Since 2019, URA has imposed 64 composition fines and prosecuted 15 persons for the misuse of private residential properties for short-term accommodation, as such infringements compromise the living environment of neighbouring residents due to the frequent turnover of transient occupants.

First-time offenders are subject to a composition fine of up to $5,000. Repeat offenders, or those found to have committed such offences involving multiple properties, will be prosecuted and liable to a fine of up to $200,000 per charge. For example, in 2022, an individual was fined $1.16 million for the misuse of 14 private residential properties. In 2023, another individual was fined $1.4 million for the misuse of 19 private residential properties.

URA has taken enforcement action against the parties directly responsible for the misuse of the property, such as the property owners, and not the online platforms that host short-term accommodation listings. Nonetheless, URA regularly engages key online platforms to ensure that listings on their platforms do not perpetuate rental arrangements that run afoul of Singapore’s laws.

URA will continue to monitor the situation and review our measures as necessary.