1 The Government has announced a package of measures to assist businesses in coping with the current economic slowdown. As part of these measures, the Government, through the Singapore Land Authority (SLA), will grant a 15% rental rebate per month for one year commencing 1 January 2009 to eligible tenants and temporary occupation licensees of State commercial and industrial properties, including certain farmlands on leases managed by the SLA. Existing tenants and licensees who renew their tenancies and licenses during the course of 2009 will also be granted the rebates.
2 These rental rebates are intended to help tenants, licensees and lessees during this economic downturn by lowering their business costs and supporting business cashflow. Hence, they will not be extended to the following tenants, licensees and lessees:
a) Statutory boards (e.g. SSC, STB, NLB);
b) residential tenants and licensees;
c) tenants, licensees and lessees who are in arrears;
d) tenants and licensees who are granted concessionary rates;
e) voluntary welfare organizations granted concessionary rates or receiving rental support from the Government; and
f) tenants who obtain their tenancies through tenders which closed on or after 22 Jan 2009.
3. Those eligible for the rebates will be informed in writing by SLA shortly.
4. There are FAQs appended for easy reference. For enquiries, please email to SLA_Enquiry@sla.gov.sg or call SLA enquiry line at 6323 9829 during office hours.
FAQs for SLA tenants/lessees/licensees:
Q1. When will I receive the rental rebate from SLA?
Ans: The rental rebates are effective from 1 Jan 09.
Q2. How will I be receiving the rental rebate?
Ans: Eligible tenants, licensees and lessees which are not in arrears will need only to pay 85% of their contracted rental per month for 2009.
Q3. I have made full rental payment to SLA for January 09. How will the rebates be refunded to me?
Ans: SLA will offset the rebated amount that has been paid in the following month’s bill.
Q4. I have paid my annual rent upfront in Jan 09. Will the rebates be refunded to me?
Ans: SLA will liaise with you to make arrangements to refund the rebates.
Q5. Why are the rebates not granted to all tenants and licensees of State properties?
Ans: The Government’s rental rebates are intended to assist businesses to cope with the effects of the economic downturn by helping to lower business costs.
Q6. How do I know if I am eligible?
Ans: SLA will be notifying all eligible tenants, licensees and lessees in writing shortly.
Q7. How do I contact SLA if I don’t receive a letter from SLA notifying me of my eligibility?
Ans: You may make an enquiry with SLA on your eligibility. For this, you may email to SLA_Enquiry@sla.gov.sg or call SLA enquiry line at 6323 9829 during office hours.
Q8. What information do I need to make my enquiry with SLA on my eligibility?
Ans: Enquirers should provide tenant’s name and address of the tenanted State property.
Q9. I am your eligible master tenant, am I required to extend the rental rebates to my sub-tenants?
Ans: Eligible master tenants are urged to pass on the rental rebates to their sub-tenants.
Q10. I am a sub-tenant. Will I be receiving rental rebates?
Ans: Sub-tenants should check with their master tenant on the rebates. SLA urges master tenants to pass on rental rebates to their sub-tenants.
