\n<\/p>\n
Another person who posted an advertisement on Facebook for a space in Bishan said the rent would have to be paid to a “landlord”.<\/p>\n
When asked whether town council approval was needed, she responded: “No need. Landlord is renting the space from HDB. It’s a sublet.”<\/p>\n
She added that an agreement with the landlord would need to be signed, and that there would be “no issue” as the landlord would inform the town council.<\/p>\n
In terms of payment, another user offering the space in front of a drink store chain in Ubi said that the rent can be paid in cash daily.<\/p>\n
The advertiser said that the space was near two salons and had a coffee shop opposite, adding that the office crowd was good during lunch time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Some advertisers were agents acting on behalf of the shop owner, while others appeared to be shop owners.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When CNA asked the advertisers for comment, one said the landlord had decided to use the area for their own use and to “disregard the listing”. Another two advertisers did not reply.<\/p>\n
When CNA visited Kovan on a weekday evening, there were three sellers in the area selling unrelated trade items at outdoor display areas.<\/p>\n
A seller said she has been renting such spaces for over 20 years, selling a variety of items such as home decorations.<\/p>\n
When asked if she had sought approval from the town council, she said she was not sure, as the arrangement was handled by an agent. She finds spaces to rent through a WhatsApp group chat, she said.<\/p>\n
The seller noted that rent for yellow boxes has increased significantly over the years, with some costing S$200 for half a day\u2019s use. At Kovan, she pays around S$70 a day.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the past, it used to be very affordable, now it\u2019s so expensive,\u201d she said in Mandarin.<\/p>\n
Another seller who sold accessories and jewellery outside an optical shop echoed that rental prices for such spaces have doubled in the past five years. She rented <\/strong>the space for two days at about S$90 a day.<\/p>\n \u201cRenting yellow boxes is very convenient \u2026 there\u2019s more freedom. And as one person roaming around it\u2019s better, it\u2019s less stressful than having a (permanent) store,\u201d she said in Mandarin.<\/p>\n She added that both she and the optical shop owner were permitted to carry out this arrangement.<\/p>\n At Ang Mo Kio, there were at least a dozen stores selling goods of an unrelated trade in yellow boxes, including accessories, plants and bedding. When approached by CNA, a few sellers said that they were part of the main shop.<\/p>\n A seller who rented the outdoor display area outside an optical shop said a constraint about the arrangement is that she had to sell similar items.<\/p>\n In response to queries from CNA, HDB directed CNA to a parliamentary speech in March 2023.<\/p>\n Then-Senior Minister of State for National Development Sim Ann said during the Committee of Supply debate that under current guidelines, unrelated trades are not allowed at outdoor display areas as these are primarily meant as an extension of the existing shops\u2019 operations, to draw crowds into the shops.<\/p>\n She was responding to a question from Workers’ Party chief Pritam Singh on whether there were exceptions to the rules to allow itinerant traders to sell their goods at outdoor display areas.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ms Sim noted that while HDB has issued guidelines on the management of these areas, town councils are \u201cempowered to manage\u201d these outdoor display areas as part of common property.<\/p>\n \u201cThe foremost consideration is to ensure public safety and tidiness of these common areas. Hence, we require clear and open passageways, and for the local shop operator to manage the outdoor display area operations directly outside the shop,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n She added that while itinerant retailers can add vibrancy and variety, the proliferation of commercial activities, if left unchecked, might lead to excessive noise and crowding and unfair competition to local shopkeepers.<\/p>\n It is the role of town councils to enforce against the improper use of outdoor display areas, she said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know that town councils have many roles and responsibilities to discharge and we leave it to the town councils to decide how to prioritise amongst these different responsibilities,\u201d she said, adding that if there are instances of violation that need to be reported, HDB should be informed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nTOWN COUNCIL\u2019S MANAGEMENT<\/h2>\n