Start-ups and businesses looking for premises to run niche services such as childcare centre, home for the aged, student hostel, martial arts school or foreign school system will now find the process of renting disused State buildings faster and simpler via the RentDirect scheme, which will be launched tomorrow, 31 March 2005 by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA).
The RentDirect scheme allows businesses to make direct rental offers to SLA for disused State buildings placed on the scheme. The properties will be awarded to the highest acceptable offer.
Currently, vacant state properties are let out through open tenders. Typically, such tenders take 11 weeks from launch to award. Businesses which need to launch their start-ups quickly may find the wait unacceptably long with no certainty that they will win the tender. The long wait also shortens the duration the properties could be let out, some of which are available for short periods because there are redevelopment plans for the properties.
Under the RentDirect scheme, SLA can award a property in 4 weeks.
For a start, RentDirect will involve 5 vacant State properties which are available for 3 years or less. These properties are the former Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) headquarters at Bendemeer Road, former CID Training Centre at Pearl's Hill, former Boon Keng Primary School at Upper Boon Keng Road, former Woody Lodge at Lorong Buangkok and former Bras Basah Community Centre at Middle Road.
Their approved uses include childcare centre, elderly daycare centre, campsite, corporate retreat, association, martial arts/judo/fencing/archery school and student hostel. The details of the properties and their approved uses are at Annex A.

How RentDirect works
Interested parties must submit their offers for a property in the RentDirect scheme using SLA's offer document. SLA will receive all offers for the property for a 2-week period. The property will be awarded to the highest acceptable offer.
After the 2-week period, if SLA does not receive any acceptable offer, SLA will evaluate subsequent acceptable offers received on a first-come-first-served basis.
Those interested to view the buildings in the RentDirect scheme can visit SLA's SPIO. Appointments to view the buildings can be made via the SPIO hotline at 6323 9154. Signages will also be erected at the sites and application forms can be obtained at SLA's office.
RentDirect retains elements of competitive bidding and at the same time gives businesses seeking to launch their new businesses quickly more certainty. If the pilot proves to be successful, SLA will put more properties under the RentDirect scheme. Other vacant State properties which have not been selected for this pilot project will continue to be made available in the open tender system. The list of these properties can be found on the SPIO website.

Issued by:
Singapore Land Authority
30 March 2005