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The Housing and Development Board (HDB) is looking into a case of a shophouse in Yishun being carved up into individual units to be rented out.

Partitioned into four "studios"

The residential portion of the HDB shophouse, located at Block 731 Yishun Street 72, has three rooms and two toilets.

However, it was partitioned into four rooms and an additional toilet was added without HDB's approval.

The four rooms were listed as "studios" and were put up for rent on property sites such as PropertyGuru, SRX and 99.co, and also on Facebook room rental groups.

"Introducing 731 Yishun Street 72 Singapore 760731 - a fully furnished and beautifully renovated studio unit that offers comfort and convenience for one- or two-person occupancy [..] The unit is perfect for anyone looking for privacy and comfort."

The listings were available as early as Feb. 6, 2023, according to a tipoff from a Mothership reader.

Studios range from S$2,900 to S$2,100

While the listings are no longer available on PropertyGuru, one of the studio units can still be seen on 99.co and SRX.

According to the listings seen by Mothership, the "brand new" studios were marketed as:

• A master ensuite double bed room for S$2,900;
• An ensuite common double bed room for S$2,600;
• A common double bed room with shared toilet for S$2,400; and
• A common single bed room with shared toilet for S$2,100.

All of these listings are fully furnished with a bed and have been fitted with a "fully functional kitchen", a mini bar fridge, a dining area, an air-conditioner, a washing machine, and miscellaneous household appliances.

The studios come with "additional perks" such as "unlimited" utilities and wifi and free aircon servicing, all of which are "taken care by the landlord", according to the online listings.

Owner could rake in S$10,000 if all studios taken

According to SRX, a three-room unit at the same block was previously rented out for S$1,800 in September 2022.

Just two days ago, a three-room unit in the same block was listed for S$3,300 on 99.co.

However, the combined revenue from renting out all four studios in the partitioned unit is S$10,000.

Compared to the prior two prices, the total rental revenue of the partitioned unit is a 550 per cent and 300 per cent higher respectively.

According to Chinese media Shin Min Daily News, the S$2,600 studio has been rented out.

Additionally, Mothership understands that the S$2,100 studio listing is no longer available.

Renovation was unauthorised

A HDB spokesperson told Mothership that the unit in question was the living quarters are located on the second storey and directly above a shop, which is on the ground floor.

Both the living quarters and the shop are sold together as a sold shop.

Shop owners are required to seek HDB’s approval before renting out the living quarters of a shop.

The spokesperson did not mention if the shop owner has sought HDB's approval before the four studios were listed for rent.

Shop owners are also required to seek HDB’s approval before any Alteration and Addition (A&A) works are carried out within the living quarters.

This includes the erection of non-structural partitions to create additional bedrooms.

The spokesperson said the Yishun shop owner's A&A works were not authorised by HDB, thus committing a lease infringement.

HDB investigating

HDB has issued a written warning to the shop owner and directed them to submit an application to HDB for approval of the A&A works.

Any unapproved A&A works must be removed at the owner's cost.

"As a result, the shop owner has taken down the rental listing, pending our review of the application," the spokesperson said

HDB is currently investigating the matter.

Top image from Property Guru and 99.co