[https://theonlinecitizen.com/2026/03/06/hdb-does-not-seek-to-maximise-rental-collections-says-chee-hong-tat](https://theonlinecitizen.com/2026/03/06/hdb-does-not-seek-to-maximise-rental-collections-says-chee-hong-tat)



SINGAPORE: HDB does not seek to maximise rental collections or maintain high rental benchmarks, and it does not always award tenders to the highest bidder, National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat said.

He noted that HDB adopts the Price-Quality Method (PQM) for coffee shops and supermarkets, where 60% of the evaluation score is based on quality factors such as affordability, a good track record, and community-centric initiatives.

Chee was responding to parliamentary questions filed by Workers’ Party MP Dennis Tan in a written reply on 6 March 2026.

Tan asked whether prolonged vacancies in HDB-managed commercial properties are treated as a loss of public value. He also asked how HDB evaluates the trade-off between maintaining higher rental benchmarks and ensuring sustained occupancy and neighbourhood vibrancy.

In a separate question, Tan asked *whether HDB has defined vacancy thresholds, duration benchmarks, or other objective triggers that would prompt a review of rental pricing for its commercial properties.* He also asked **what these benchmarks are, if they exist.**

In response, Chee said that in managing the HDB rental shop landscape, the agency focuses on achieving sustained occupancy and maintaining an appropriate tenant mix.

Chee Hong Tat responds Hougang MP Dennis Tan's PQ: "HDB does Not seek to Maximise rental collections"