SingaporeMy neighbor always takes my HDB car park lot. What can I do under Singapore law?
Under Singapore law, unauthorized use of your assigned HDB car park lot constitutes trespass and breach of HDB’s lease conditions. You may first lodge a complaint with HDB or your Town Council; if unresolved, civil action for injunction or damages is available under the Civil Law Act and relevant HDB regulations.
What the Law Says
HDB car park lots are allocated under the terms of the HDB lease agreement, which forms part of the Housing and Development Act (Cap. 129) and subsidiary legislation including the Housing and Development (Lease) Regulations. Clause 14(1) of the standard HDB lease explicitly prohibits the lessee from permitting any person other than an authorized occupier to use the assigned car park lot. Unauthorized occupation by a neighbour amounts to civil trespass and breach of contract, enforceable under common law and Section 4 of the Civil Law Act (Cap. 43). Additionally, such conduct may violate HDB’s Management of HDB Estates (MHE) rules and the Town Council’s by-laws, which empower Town Councils to issue fines under the Town Councils Act (Cap. 329A) for misuse of common property.
Practical Steps
Begin by documenting incidents (photos/videos with timestamps, witness statements) and formally notify your neighbour in writing, citing your lot number and requesting immediate cessation. If unheeded, lodge a complaint via HDB’s e-Service portal or contact your Town Council — they may issue warnings or impose fines under MHE Rule 15. For persistent violations, escalate to HDB’s Enforcement Unit or file a claim at the Small Claims Tribunal (SCT) if seeking compensation up to $20,000. Where injunctive relief is needed (e.g., to prevent future encroachment), engage a lawyer to file in the State Courts under Order 29 of the Rules of Court. Note: Police generally treat this as a civil matter unless criminal trespass or vandalism is involved.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-10-18.