Is it considering "harbouring overstay"?

[thienbinh103]

Hi everyone, I am a main tenant of our HDB unit (meaning I signed in contract agreement between me and Landlord). Everytime, if a house mate left and other one come to replace his place, I will inform the landlord and send the lanlord the new one's information such as work pass and passport.

So, about three months ago, there is a housemate left and another one replace him (this one is recommended by the housemate who left). That time I was aboard, so I was only informed that he was moving in out unit. I also quickly inform the landlord, but not in detail, telling the landlord that I will update soon. When I come back to the unit, I asked him to show the documents. However, he said that he was just graduated and was working at NUS and told me he will send me later. That time I was really busy that I forgot to ask him again (I barely see him outside his room), until last night when the ICA officer did random-check our unit and catch him away. They called me today and want to interview me next week about the incident of overstay.

I am really worried that will affect my job and housing status. Is it considering "harbouring overstay" ? I am very confused and don't know what to explain to them, since I always do the right thing (checking IDs and inform landlord) before, but I am just too stupid and busy to forget it this time. Please anyone have experience or knowledge about it, can you give me some advices?

[abbby]

Technically, yes you are harbouring an overstayer. Checks should be done on the occupant before renting out the room to him/her. In this case just tell the truth as an oversight on your part. I am not sure but might be let off with a stern warning and maybe (possibly) a police record.

[thienbinh103]

Technically, yes you are harbouring an overstayer. Checks should be done on the occupant before renting out the room to him/her. In this case just tell the truth as an oversight on your part. I am not sure but might be let off with a stern warning and maybe (possibly) a police record.

Thanks a lot for your answer, I will see what coming next week.

[smoulder]

Keep us updated if possible. Will be useful information for any future forum members.

[Strong Eagle]

You need to immediately contact the new roommate and insist on copies of his work permit that makes him legal. If he doesn't comply, you must insist that he move immediately. If you do these things, you will be doing the things that need to be done; if you fail to verify your new roommate's documentation as soon as possible, it can be seem as permitting an overstay.

[malcontent]

Facts matter, preferably documented.

[therat]

Your landlord is in hot soup.
They either get a huge fine or worst, lose their hdb flat.


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[therat]

In Singapore, harboring overstayers is illegal and can result in imprisonment and fines:
Penalties
The penalty for harboring overstayers depends on the degree of culpability:
Recklessly or knowingly: Imprisonment for up to two years and a fine of up to S$6,000
Negligently: Imprisonment for up to 12 months and a fine of up to S$6,000, or both

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[malcontent]

I remember when I first moved to Singapore and rented an HDB room, the owner didn’t really take much notice of my immigration status until many months had past and I was still unemployed due to multiple EP rejections. In somewhat of a panic, he suddenly asked me to produce copies of my passport pages that showed I was in the country legally. This consisted of many SVP extensions over the months I that I had lived there (in the end, 9 months in total, and all while never leaving Singapore). He made a dozen photocopies and gave me some of his excess copies (not sure why, maybe due to his panicked state).

[therat]

Rule change.
Now landlord are holding responsible for any overstay.

My bro in law rent out his unit. One fine day, government officer contact him. Said they found 1 overstay in his unit which he is not aware. That person is not his tenant.
after investigation, come out this overstay is a visitor, friend of his tenant, who happen to visit his friend and not staying there.
Therefore, government give my bro in law a huge fine.

[thienbinh103]

Hi everyone, thanks all for your reply.
Here is the update: The overstayer has been deported. Two or three days after the incident, an ICA officer called me and asked if I could buy the overstayer a fly ticket to his hometown. I said yes and then bought him the ticket. Until now, there is no jail or fine applied to him.
Today, as informed before, the ICA officer asked me to come to ICA office to have an interview tomorrow. That's all I can say for now.

[thienbinh103]

Rule change.
Now landlord are holding responsible for any overstay.

My bro in law rent out his unit. One fine day, government officer contact him. Said they found 1 overstay in his unit which he is not aware. That person is not his tenant.
after investigation, come out this overstay is a visitor, friend of his tenant, who happen to visit his friend and not staying there.
Therefore, government give my bro in law a huge fine.

Thanks for your useful information. May I asked what happen to the overstayer, did he get jail or any fine?

[malcontent]

It depends on how long they overstayed.

If less than a month, it’s not that bad (assuming first time offender). I think the fine is around $1500. I know because I overstayed once myself… totally by accident as I overlooked it and my employer did as well - only discovered it because of a trip to Bintan on the weekend where they caught it. Fortunately they believed me and were cool about - but I had to pay a fine on the spot (later I got my employer to reimburse me). I then came back in on a SVP and submitted a fresh EP application. This was approved in short order and I’ve been careful not to let this happen again.

[abbby]

Hi everyone, thanks all for your reply.
Here is the update: The overstayer has been deported. Two or three days after the incident, an ICA officer called me and asked if I could buy the overstayer a fly ticket to his hometown. I said yes and then bought him the ticket. Until now, there is no jail or fine applied to him.
Today, as informed before, the ICA officer asked me to come to ICA office to have an interview tomorrow. That's all I can say for now.

Please keep us updated.

[PNGMK]

Sheesh. Does this apply top private condo? I'm considering renting a room out.