Outdoor display areas outside shops in Housing and Development Board estates are being advertised for rent online, even though the rules do not allow such spaces to be sublet to others.
These areas, often called “yellow boxes” or “red boxes”, are marked spaces outside HDB shops. They are usually small, sometimes as little as two square metres, and are commonly found along the corridors outside shops.
Listings for these spaces have appeared on platforms such as Carousell and Facebook. It was found that at least 10 listings on Carousell and more than 20 posts on Facebook were advertising these spaces for rent across different estates in Singapore. Some of the listings showed that the spaces were being rented out for as much as S$180 a day.
How These Spaces Are Supposed to Be Used
Shop owners who want to use the outdoor space outside their shops must apply through their town councils. The cost for these areas is about S$10 per square metre each month.
The yellow or red markings are also part of fire safety requirements. They are meant to ensure that escape routes remain clear during emergencies.
Under current HDB rules, these outdoor display areas should only be used as an extension of the shop’s own operations. This means unrelated businesses are not allowed to operate there. Some town councils also clearly state in their application forms that shop owners cannot transfer, assign or sublet the space to others.
Online Listings and Rental Arrangements
Many of the online listings offered spaces for short-term rental. Some advertisers allowed people to rent the spaces for a day, a week, or even a month.
Prices varied widely. Some spaces were listed at about S$30 per day, while others reached S$180 daily depending on the location, size, and day of the week.
Shops offering these spaces included a hair salon, a bubble tea shop, and a pawn shop. Most listings did not state restrictions on what could be sold. However, a few listings said food and beverages or fruits such as durian were not allowed.
One listing also showed extra charges. Interested renters had to pay an additional S$20 to rent a table and chair, and S$35 for an electrical power supply.
When asked about the arrangement, one advertiser said payment could be made through PayNow. When asked what would happen if town council officers checked, the person replied, “No problem”.
Another advertiser offering a space in Bishan said rent would be paid to a “landlord”. When asked if approval from the town council was needed, she replied, “No need. Landlord is renting the space from HDB. It is a sublet.”
Sellers Using the Spaces
During visits to areas such as Kovan, sellers were seen using outdoor display areas to sell items unrelated to the main shop’s business.
One seller said she had been renting such spaces for more than 20 years and sold items like home decorations. When asked whether she had obtained approval from the town council, she said she was unsure because the arrangement was handled by an agent.
She also noted that rental prices had increased over the years. “In the past, it used to be very affordable; now it is so expensive,” she said.
Another seller who rented a space outside an optical shop said rental prices had doubled in the past five years. She rented the space for about S$90 per day for two days.
She explained why such arrangements were appealing, saying: “Renting yellow boxes is very convenient … there is more freedom. And as one person roaming around it is better, it is less stressful than having a permanent store.”
Role of Town Councils
Town councils are responsible for enforcing the rules related to outdoor display areas.
A spokesperson for Marine Parade-Braddell Heights Town Council said the terms and conditions for using these spaces are clearly stated when shop owners apply. The spokesperson added that subletting the space to third parties is not allowed.
If a shop owner breaches the conditions, the town council may take action. This could include revoking the permit to use the outdoor display area and preventing the shop owner from using the space in the future.
