News

Climate vouchers, aimed at encouraging households to be more efficient in their energy and water use, should be given to flat owners and not tenants. The rules now state that each dwelling unit, identified by the residential address, is entitled to one set of climate vouchers, worth $300, and only one member representing the dwelling unit needs to make the claim digitally. My flat was tenanted on a one-year contract. In less than six months, after claiming the CDC vouchers and the climate vouchers, the tenant served her notice of termination. She maintained that it was her right to claim all the vouchers for herself. My appeal over reclaiming the CDC vouchers was approved when I brought the matter up. There is a very clear definition of “household” for the claiming of CDC vouchers – “domestic helpers, unrelated tenants... living at the same address are not considered part of the household”. For the claiming of climate vouchers, it is stated that residents/tenants having the same registered address within the programme period of April 15, 2024, to Dec 31, 2027, are collectively entitled to one set of climate vouchers for the same registered address. The vouchers are valid for 3½ years and a standard tenancy agreement is for a year or two. This means that tenants can take advantage of this window to claim and use the vouchers.  Flat owners should not be penalised when tenants work around this loophole. What benefits will I receive for the next three years now that I am taking back my flat while the tenant is moving out after taking the vouchers? I believe there may be others who encounter similar issues.  I hope the authorities will review the programme to assess who should be the rightful claimant. It should not be tenants having the same registered address because such people come and go.