Debated in Parliament on 7 Feb 2023.
Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for National Development whether HDB specifies any protocol for construction contractors, such as investigating the source of the problem or taking samples of the paint to audit quality, if there is premature degradation or deterioration of external facades in HDB blocks, prior to its first repair and redecoration cycle, beyond the activation of warranty for defects.
All BTO projects are provided with a Defects Liability Period (DLP) of 12 months, generally starting from the substantial completion of a project. During this period, the contractors are required to rectify any internal and external defects reported.
Under HDB’s building contracts, contractors and their suppliers or specialists are further required to provide warranties covering certain items or products that typically last for at least a year. For example, HDB stipulates a six-year warranty for external paintwork.
After a new development is handed over to the Town Council for management and maintenance, the Town Council can activate the warranty if there are defects or imperfections found on the completed works during the DLP or warranty period. The building contractor or specialist contractor will then be required to rectify them. The Town Council may seek advice from HDB as well as obtain the assessment of a specialist when investigating the affected building(s) to recommend optimal rectification methods.
HDB may further investigate any feedback received and take samples of materials like paint for quality checks and tests, as required.
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