A 41-year-old man, Koh Guohui, Robin, has been fined S$1.14 million for masterminding an extensive illegal short-term rental operation involving 31 private residential properties, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) announced on Monday (Sep 15).

Koh was the central figure in a group of six Singaporean men—aged between 33 and 81—who were convicted for their involvement in providing unauthorised short-term accommodation. Together, they were fined a total of S$1.27 million. Koh’s sentence was delivered on Monday, following the earlier sentencing of his accomplices between August 2024 and March 2025.

A Coordinated Illegal Operation

Between July 2019 and November 2021, Koh recruited several others — Lim En Xiang (33), Chew Lam Yong (61), Low Ah Tee (81), Chua Lian Beng (71), and Chow Yan Kit (34) — to join the operation in exchange for monthly salaries.

According to URA, Koh was the sole director of SG Auto Car Pte Ltd, a company later renamed SG Bizloan Consultant, which he used to facilitate the illegal activities. His accomplices served as directors of four other companies — KCA, Edrich Group, Ed Werks Holdings, and ANZ Management Services — and signed tenancy agreements for the residential units on behalf of these firms.

Koh was responsible for sourcing the units and subsequently listing them on online accommodation platforms such as Airbnb and HomeAway, advertising them for short-term stays of less than three months, in violation of the Planning Act.

All rental payments went to Koh, who used multiple bank accounts, mobile numbers, and aliases to conceal his identity and the scale of the operation.

Discovery and Enforcement

The illegal activities were uncovered after the management council of a private residential development filed a report about suspected short-term stays at one of the properties rented under Edrich Group. Subsequent investigations revealed that the scheme extended to multiple developments, with corroborating feedback from residents and managing agents.

Under the Planning Act, private residential properties in Singapore must be rented for a minimum of three consecutive months. The rule helps maintain the residential nature of neighbourhoods and prevents disruptions from transient occupants.

URA’s Warning to Offenders

Martin Tan, director of URA’s development control group, emphasised that the authority takes a zero-tolerance stance against illegal short-term rentals.

“We will take strict enforcement action against individuals and entities who are found to be involved in any way, be it by facilitating the transfer of revenue or sourcing for properties and occupants,” he said.
“This will include prosecution in court for severe cases where we will also press for deterrent sentences.”

URA also urged the public to report suspected cases of illegal short-term accommodation in private residential properties to help safeguard the integrity of residential communities.

Summary:
Koh Guohui, Robin, was fined S$1.14 million for orchestrating a large-scale illegal short-term rental scheme involving 31 private residential properties. URA reiterated its firm stance against unauthorised short-term stays that violate Singapore’s Planning Act and disrupt residential neighbourhoods.