Rental Waiver Framework (RWF) 2021

A new Rental Waiver Framework (RWF) came into force on 5 October 2021 for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and specified non-profit organisations (NPOs).

This RWF can be taken together with the Rental Support Scheme (RSS) cash payouts. Therefore, qualifying tenants in privately owned commercial properties will benefit from a total of up to 1.5 months of rental support.

Action Required by Tenant (to claim rental waiver)

SME and NPO tenant-occupiers (including subtenants and licensees) who meet all the following criteria will be able to claim a rental waiver of two weeks:

1. Tenant-occupier of a qualifying commercial property

2. Annual revenue not exceeding $100 million in FY2019

3. Lease or license must be:

4. Entered into or renewed before 20 July 2021

5. In force for the entire period from 5 August to 18 August 2021 (both dates inclusive)

6. Where applicable, stamped on or before 2 August 2021

7. Suffered at least a 20% drop in average monthly revenue during both Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) periods (16 May 2021 to 13 June 2021 and 22 July 2021 to 18 August 2021, all dates inclusive), as compared to the Phase 3 period (28 December 2020 to 7 May 2021, both dates inclusive)

8. If part of a Singapore group of entities, the group’s annual revenue does not exceed $100 million in FY2019 (this does not apply to SMEs that are not part of any group of companies, or NPOs.)

Notice of Rental Waiver

SME and Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) tenant-occupiers of qualifying commercial properties who received the second payout under the RSS are expecting to receive a Notice of Rental Waiver from 6 October 2021 onwards.

However, tenants must be aware that the receipt of the Notice does not automatically qualify the business for the rental waiver. Tenants should self-assess all the eligibility criteria are met and comply with the following steps within the specified timelines to claim the 2 weeks of rental waiver:

1. Complete the Declaration Form accompanying the Notice.

2. Send via email or registered post, the following documents to their immediate landlord within 28 calendar days from the date of the Notice:

3. A copy of the Notice;

4. A copy of the completed Declaration Form; and

5. Copies of the supporting documents (also listed in Annex A of the Notice).

The list of supporting documents are as follow:

1. Copies of profit and loss statements for all of the following periods:

2. 16 May to 13 June 2021;

3. 22 July to 18 August 2021; and

4. 28 December 2020 to 7 May 2021.

A copy of a Statutory Declaration attesting that it meets the relevant eligibility criteria to qualify for the rental waiver must be provided if the tenant-occupier cannot provide P&L statements.

Tenants may not receive the RSS and/or Notice automatically if they rent only part of a property, or rent a mixed-use property, and/or are a licensee. Those who assess that they are eligible but have not received the second RSS payout and Notice by 15 October 2021, should make an application for the second RSS payout by 12 November 2021. Once successful, the business will receive a Notice and can follow the necessary steps to claim the rental waiver.

Those who have not received the Notice but have already made an application for the second RSS payout should wait for the outcome of their application. No further action is required until the business receives the Notice.