The minimum duration for staying in private homes has been shortened from six months to three months, says the Urban Redevelopment Authority in a statement today. The revision takes immediate effect and applies to all private properties which have been approved for residential use.

Short-term stays of less than three consecutive months, such as those facilitated through home-sharing platforms, continues to be disallowed.

The decision follows a public consultation exercise on short-term stays in 2015 where a majority of respondents were supportive of a reduction in the minimum stay duration. URA had considered this feedback in deciding on the current change.

URA says that in recent years, it has observed growing demand from groups seeking accommodation for periods of between three to six months. They include academics and students visiting local Institutions of Higher Learning, and professionals on work assignments. The feedback from this group has been that they prefer private residential properties, considering their choice of locations, range in unit sizes, and financial affordability, over hotels and serviced apartments.

Separately, URA says that it is reviewing possible guidelines to facilitate short-term rentals and intends to conduct a public consultation to seek feedback on this issue. Meanwhile, hotels and serviced apartments will continue to cater to visitors on shorter stays.