Written answer by Ministry of National Development on vacant HDB rental flats

Question No: 736
Question by: Mr Fadli Fawzi

To ask the Minister for National Development (a) what is the number and percentage of HDB rental flat units that are currently vacant as of 31 December 2025; (b) how does this compare year-over-year over the last three years; (c) whether the Ministry has any plans to relax HDB rental requirements to reduce vacancies; and (d) if not, why not.

Answer:

As of 31 December 2025, there are about 2,000 (3.2%) vacant rental flats undergoing sprucing works after the previous tenants had moved out, and about 1,600 (2.6%) vacant rental flats to be included in upcoming allocation exercises. The number and percentage of such vacant flats have reduced from about 4,800 (7.7%) in December 2023 and 4,000 (6.5%) in December 2024.

There are no plans to change the eligibility criteria for the Public Rental Scheme. The criteria are set to ensure fair and prudent use of public resources, which are funded by taxpayers, and it should not be conflated with rental flat vacancies. HDB takes a needs-based approach and reviews all requests for rental housing holistically. For households that do not meet the eligibility criteria, HDB will look into their individual circumstances and assist them with rental housing if they are unable to buy a flat and have no other housing options and no family support.