[NOTE: Do NOT click "CHIP IN" after you sign this petition – this money does not go to us or tenants in need of help. It goes to change.org instead. This is just a petition, not a fundraiser. Do NOT click "CHIP IN" after you sign this petition.]

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Petition for Rent and Mortgage Relief

The Government has provided assistance to commercial tenants – why haven’t struggling residential tenants been offered the same help? 

We, the undersigned, ask for rent relief and support for residential tenant households, in light of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The situation has affected everyone, but for some, the loss of income is severe enough to affect the basic need of decent and secure housing. Those affected include tenants from low-income households that cannot afford rent, or individuals or families who rent for their own safety. If they cannot pay rent, tenants are at risk of eviction, utility shut-off, growing debts, food insecurity and future financial insecurity. 

These risks can affect tenants in HDB rental flats, sublet HDB rental flats, or private property rentals.

We call on the Government to take the following steps:

1) STOP CHARGING RENT NOW: Enact a rent/mortgage suspension as well as an eviction/foreclosure moratorium for residential tenants.

1. Tenants should not be required to pay rent throughout Circuit Breaker and Phases 1–3, as well as for a reasonable amount of time after the end of Phase 3. This is to provide a buffer period for income levels to stabilise or jobseekers to secure employment again.
2. In addition, tenants should not be made, or threatened, to leave their homes.
3. Any utility payments, late fees, or debt should be suspended.
4. Housing loan repayments to banks or to HDB should also be waived.

2) STOP COLLECTING PAST RENT OWED: Mandate debt forgiveness for rental debt accumulated over this period.

3) REGULATE RENT FOR THE FUTURE: Reduce and regulate rent to fair levels as decided by an independent official.

4) GREATER REGULATIONS FOR THE FUTURE: Appoint an independent Taskforce to review regulation of the housing market for fairness, both during and after the period of COVID-19.

These policies should apply universally and automatically for HDB rental flat tenants, and there should be an opt-in rent relief option for struggling private rental tenants.

This list is based on a United Nation (UN) best practices document, “COVID-19 Guidance Note: Protecting renters and mortgage payers” (April 2020), and the direct input of tenants facing rental difficulties. 

Rental Difficulties Faced

We spoke to tenants in HDB rental flats, private HDB rental flats, and private property rental flats. They include Singaporean citizens, PRs and non-residents ineligible for government support, or for whom government support has been inadequate.

These tenants have faced job losses, pay cuts, and reduced working hours, as NMP Anthea Ong has mentioned in Parliament. Even after receiving payouts under the recent government Budgets, they continue to struggle with rent and/or utilities. They are left to negotiate for a reduced rent with landlords who may be unsympathetic.

In addition, tenants who have been struggling to pay rent on time are further burdened by a late payment charge. According to the Housing and Development Board: “The current rate is 7.5% (average prime lending rate of 5.5% + 2%) per annum. Late payment charges will continue to be imposed based on the outstanding rental at the end of every month and is rounded up to the nearest five cents.”

Unpaid rent on leases also accumulate in rental arrears. These additional fees deepen the strain of debt.

Impacts of Rental Difficulties

The lack of guaranteed continued housing has resulted in a great deal of stress and hardship. These tenants have to cope with a partial or complete loss of income, or a difficult job market. Yet, at the same time, their bills and other expenditure (e.g. transport, medical fees and groceries) remain unchanged. This may lead to tenants prioritising rent over other essential expenditures such as groceries and medical fees, resulting in food insecurity and limited access to healthcare. 

Seeking Help Is Difficult 

Eviction or utility shut-off poses an urgent threat. Seeking help from other parties such as MPs can be difficult and time-consuming. Furthermore, the process requires heavy documentation proof with no guarantee of eventual support.

Housing Loan Difficulties Faced

Housing loans also pose a problem for property owners during this period. HDB has offered a three-month freeze on late payment charges for mortgage arrears, and banks have offered a mortgage moratorium that defers either partial or full repayments. But property owners will still be burdened with accumulated debt in future due to still needing to pay more interest as a result. This in turn increases the burden on tenants who rent on the private market. We ask that the Government go one step further by having all housing loan repayments suspended, not just delayed.

Precedent for Government Intervention

The Government has already intervened to protect commercial tenants with property rebates and deferred contractual obligations, covering four months of rent for some businesses. In total, rent relief for non-residential properties is about $3.8 billion. The housing needs of human beings are no less important than the needs of businesses. Where are the measures to protect these housing needs?

Our suggested measures can be practically enforced. Already, landlords who evict tenants on home quarantine order or leave of absence, or based on nationality, could be barred from renting to foreign work pass holders in future. This can be extended to protect tenants in other ways. Moreover, assessors can be appointed to evaluate a fair proportion of rent and to resolve rent-related disputes between landlords and tenants. This is already the case for commercial tenants under the temporary relief bill. 

Closing Words: Housing is a Human Right

Housing affects all aspects of life, including health, education, livelihood and support networks. Housing conditions such as poor sanitation, overcrowding, and utility shutoffs can affect one's physical and mental wellbeing. If you can’t be assured of somewhere to live, or if you live under insecure conditions facing threats of eviction, this instability makes it harder to meet basic needs.

As Singapore enters Phase 2, many are still struggling to recoup lost income, find new jobs, repay accumulated debts, and cope with new expenses. Residential tenants should be supported in their efforts to recover from the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We urge that prompt and decisive action be taken to protect residential tenants’ needs and interests. 

READ MORE:

• Hear from Tenants: Read more about how tenants are doing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Petition Supplementary Material: Read about our Calls To Action in more detail.

For any questions, please email us at sghousingrights@gmail.com.

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[NOTE: Do NOT click "CHIP IN" after you sign this petition – this money does not go to us or tenants in need of help. It goes to change.org instead. This is just a petition, not a fundraiser. Do NOT click "CHIP IN" after you sign this petition.]