Extras for Home Improvement Programme

Debated in Parliament on 1 Oct 2018.

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Gan Thiam Poh asked whether HIP can include window replacements and aircon ledges for older flats, how many households have chosen deferred payment under HIP, and whether buyers of resale flats where the owner opted out of HIP are properly informed.
Minister Lawrence Wong stated that window replacement is the responsibility of flat owners due to varying preferences, and that safety for aircon units is ensured by existing regulations requiring stainless steel brackets, so ledges are not needed under HIP.
As of August 2018, 90,000 households were billed under HIP, with 11.5% opting for deferred payment and 88.5% paying in full, half of whom paid by cash.
The minister confirmed that the status of flats under upgrading programs like HIP is publicly available on HDB InfoWeb, and buyers must check with sellers about HIP components to factor them into price negotiations.
The response emphasizes that no changes to HIP are needed to address the specific queries on windows and ledges, and existing mechanisms ensure transparency for buyers.

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Gan Thiam Poh

Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether the Home Improvement Programme (HIP) can include replacements of windows for older flats and to provide aircon ledges to prevent the hazard of falling aircons for public safety; (b) how many households have opted for deferred payment instead of full settlement by cash under HIP so far; and (c) whether HDB has ensured that prospective buyers of such resale flats whose existing owner opted out of HIP is aware of this for fair sale purposes.

Lawrence Wong

Residents are responsible for regular maintenance of the windows to ensure that they are safe and secure at all times. Most residents install custom-made windows based on their preference, and these are of varying sizes, colours, different configurations and designs. It would thus be best to leave the replacement of these windows to flat owners.

External air-conditioner ledges were provided in Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats from the early 1990s onwards. For flats without air-conditioner ledges, the Building Control Regulations stipulate that residents need to install stainless steel brackets to support any external air-conditioning units. This is to ensure public safety. There is, therefore, no need to provide air-conditioner ledges under the Home Improvement Programme (HIP).

As at 31 August 2018, about 90,000 households have been billed for the HIP. Of the households billed, 11.5% of households have opted for deferred payment and 88.5% of households have made full payment. Amongst those who made full payment, about half of them paid by cash.

The status of flats undergoing upgrading programmes, such as HIP, is published on the HDB InfoWeb. Prospective flat buyers can, therefore, check the status of the flat they are interested in. Upon ascertaining that the flat is undergoing HIP, they would need to check with the sellers on the HIP components, that is, Essential/Optional that the sellers have opted for and factor these into their price negotiation with the sellers before committing to the purchase.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Gan Thiam Poh asked whether HIP can include window replacements and aircon ledges for older flats, how many households have chosen deferred payment under HIP, and whether buyers of resale flats where the owner opted out of HIP are properly informed.
Minister Lawrence Wong stated that window replacement is the responsibility of flat owners due to varying preferences, and that safety for aircon units is ensured by existing regulations requiring stainless steel brackets, so ledges are not needed under HIP.
As of August 2018, 90,000 households were billed under HIP, with 11.5% opting for deferred payment and 88.5% paying in full, half of whom paid by cash.
The minister confirmed that the status of flats under upgrading programs like HIP is publicly available on HDB InfoWeb, and buyers must check with sellers about HIP components to factor them into price negotiations.
The response emphasizes that no changes to HIP are needed to address the specific queries on windows and ledges, and existing mechanisms ensure transparency for buyers.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Extras for Home Improvement Programme | PAPERCUTS

Extras for Home Improvement Programme

Debated in Parliament on 1 Oct 2018.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Gan Thiam Poh asked whether HIP can include window replacements and aircon ledges for older flats, how many households have chosen deferred payment under HIP, and whether buyers of resale flats where the owner opted out of HIP are properly informed.
Minister Lawrence Wong stated that window replacement is the responsibility of flat owners due to varying preferences, and that safety for aircon units is ensured by existing regulations requiring stainless steel brackets, so ledges are not needed under HIP.
As of August 2018, 90,000 households were billed under HIP, with 11.5% opting for deferred payment and 88.5% paying in full, half of whom paid by cash.
The minister confirmed that the status of flats under upgrading programs like HIP is publicly available on HDB InfoWeb, and buyers must check with sellers about HIP components to factor them into price negotiations.
The response emphasizes that no changes to HIP are needed to address the specific queries on windows and ledges, and existing mechanisms ensure transparency for buyers.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Full Transcript

Gan Thiam Poh

Lawrence Wong

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Gan Thiam Poh asked whether HIP can include window replacements and aircon ledges for older flats, how many households have chosen deferred payment under HIP, and whether buyers of resale flats where the owner opted out of HIP are properly informed.
Minister Lawrence Wong stated that window replacement is the responsibility of flat owners due to varying preferences, and that safety for aircon units is ensured by existing regulations requiring stainless steel brackets, so ledges are not needed under HIP.
As of August 2018, 90,000 households were billed under HIP, with 11.5% opting for deferred payment and 88.5% paying in full, half of whom paid by cash.
The minister confirmed that the status of flats under upgrading programs like HIP is publicly available on HDB InfoWeb, and buyers must check with sellers about HIP components to factor them into price negotiations.
The response emphasizes that no changes to HIP are needed to address the specific queries on windows and ledges, and existing mechanisms ensure transparency for buyers.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Extras for Home Improvement Programme

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Gan Thiam Poh

Lawrence Wong

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Extras for Home Improvement Programme

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Questions Identified

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Gan Thiam Poh

Lawrence Wong

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Questions Identified