More data on rents for HDB flats to be released soon

More data on rents for HDB flats to be released soon
MORE data on rents for Housing Board (HDB) flats will be released soon to add transparency to a market faced with rising prices.
The move comes after recent reports that monthly rents of HDB flats are exceeding $2,000 in some locations.

The information will give a clearer picture of recent price movements in the rental market, and will be similar in nature to figures on average resale prices released last week.

Minister of State for National Development Grace Fu said on Tuesday that this 'objective data' will 'give potential tenants better understanding of the market'.

'The government will continue to make such information more widely available so people can make more informed decisions,' she added.

The HDB is looking into the possibility of breaking down the data by the 26 HDB towns instead of by regions.

Some market players had concerns about the way average resale prices were collated on the HDB's website.

They said the regional grouping made it difficult for buyers or sellers to get a clear picture of how flats similar to their own are faring.

Ms Fu said the government is considering the feedback but will remain 'careful' as it has to assess 'if there's sufficient data to give meaningful comparisons'.