THE RENT CONTROL ENQUIRY

Abstract

Rent control was introduced in Singapore to protect tenants from unscrupulous landlords charging excessive rentals during the housing shortage in the post-war years. The legislation was particularly necessary, in the light of the burgeoning population. All premises, whether residential or non-residential, which are built on or before September 7, 1947 are affected by the Control of Rent Act. Exceptions to this rule were those premises owned by the government and statutory boards. The Control of Rent Ordinance, 1947 pegged rents to the rate at 1939 levels, which bear no resemblance to the present market rentals. In addition to the rent freeze, a very high security of tenure was conferred upon the tenants of such premises via the creation of a class 'statutory tenant'. Any recovery by the landlords of their own properties can only materialize with the fulfilment of unreasonable compensations demanded by the tenants. This in effect made the evictions of tenants extremely difficult. The anachronism of the persisted law has become more glaring over the years and there is justification for a major amendment to the legislation. It is to this subject that the following dissertation is devoted. At the time of writing, the government announced the phasing out of rent controls. The intention of the author is to offer readers an insight into and update of the rent control system of Singapore.