Repair of Ceiling Leaks in HDB Flats

Mr Baey Yam Keng asked the Minister for National Development (a) in each of the years from 2008 to 2012, how many upper-floor owners of HDB flats have been uncooperative in fixing the ceiling leaks of their lower-floor units, causing a delay in repairs of beyond four months; (b) whether HDB will consider a policy of making upper-floor owners fully responsible for the cost of fixing such ceiling leaks; and (c) if not, whether HDB can consider (i) setting deadlines for upper-floor owners to investigate the cause of the leaks and carry out repairs or (ii) reducing the Goodwill Repair Assistance Scheme subsidy for upper-floor owners who delay repairs, according to the period of the delay in repairs.

Under the HDB Lease, the repair of ceiling leaks due to wear and tear is the joint responsibility of both upper- and lower-floor flat owners. Both parties would have to rectify the leak and share the repair cost. Notwithstanding the above, HDB provides assistance through the Goodwill Repair Assistance (GRA) Scheme, where HDB arranges for the repair works and co-pays 50% of the cost. The balance 50% is shared equally by the upper- and lower-floor flat owners.

Ninety-nine percent of upper-floor owners cooperate with HDB and allow the repairs to be carried out to rectify the ceiling leakage. Where necessary, HDB

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will engage them to carry out the repairs without delay. The grassroots leaders may also step in to persuade them to cooperate. Failing which, as a last resort, HDB will initiate legal action against the upper-floor flat owners who continue to be uncooperative. Over the last five years, HDB has initiated legal action on an average of 100 upper-floor flat owners, ranging from 68 to 146 flats each year. This is approximately 1% of the total ceiling leak repair cases under the GRA scheme.

HDB reviews its policies regularly to ensure that its policies remain relevant and meet the needs of residents and will take the Member's suggestions into consideration in its review.