Regulatory requirements for commercial landlords and enforcement measures for premises conducting vice activities

Ms Elysa Chen: To ask the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) what are the regulatory obligations for landlords of commercial properties to exercise due diligence regarding the nature of businesses operating on their premises; and (b) what enforcement action will the relevant authorities take against landlords when their premises are found to be used for illegal vice or sex trade activities.

Answer:

Mr K Shanmugam, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs:

1. All property owners are expected to exercise due diligence when leasing out their premises to ensure that they comply with the relevant laws and regulations. This includes ensuring that their properties are not used for vice activities.

2. If such premises are found to be used for vice activities, property owners are criminally liable under section 148(4) of the Women’s Charter unless they can show that they had no knowledge and could not, with reasonable due diligence, have ascertained the premises were used for vice activities at the point of entering into tenancy agreements. Police will take enforcement action where warranted.