In the above situation, can the spouse be officially registered if they are renting a whole HDB flat?

If a spouse who is going through a divorce rents a whole HDB flat on the open market (as a tenant), they can be officially registered as an authorised occupier with HDB—provided they meet all of HDB's eligibility criteria for tenants. This includes holding a valid long-term pass (such as Singapore PR, Employment Pass, S Pass, or Student Pass) if they are not a Singapore Citizen, and not currently being an owner or essential occupier of another HDB flat (with certain exceptions for divorced or legally separated individuals).

The official registration process requires the landlord to submit the tenancy application to HDB for approval. Once approved, the spouse will be listed as an authorised tenant for the rental flat. Only one party of a divorced or legally separated couple may rent an HDB flat at any one time. If tenancy conditions or key eligibility criteria change (for example, if both parties are already listed as occupiers elsewhere), the application may be rejected.

Registration is mandatory for all approved tenants to ensure compliance with HDB’s regulations, and unauthorised tenants (those not registered with HDB) may face enforcement action. Always ensure all HDB procedures are properly followed for renting as a tenant in such circumstances.