Housing & estates — Topics

22 Nov 2023

Nuisance from False Alarms Emitted by Home Fire Alarm Devices in Unoccupied Public Rental Flats

Mr Murali Pillai inquired about the frequency, management, and prevention of false alarms from Home Fire Alarm Devices in public rental flats.
HDB has recorded seven false alarms in unoccupied rental flats over the past three years, with contractors promptly dispatched to reset devices.
For occupied flats, HDB contacts tenants directly to address false alarms, and residents are encouraged to maintain and test HFADs regularly.
HDB ensures HFADs are functional before re-letting flats as part of standard handover procedures.

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7 Nov 2023

Average Annual Amount of Housing Loans Taken by HDB Resale Flat Buyers Who Paid More Than $1 Million for Flat

The Minister for National Development provided data on the average annual housing loan amount for HDB resale flat buyers who paid over $1 million from 2020 to September 2023.
The information was presented in response to a parliamentary question raised by MP Gan Thiam Poh regarding loan trends for high-value HDB transactions.
The response specifically addressed the loan quantum for buyers who purchased resale flats priced at or above $1 million during the specified period.
The data is based on actual figures gathered over the three-year timeframe up to September 2023.
The Minister's reply included a table (Table 1) detailing the average loan amounts, but the specific numerical values were not included in the provided debate text.

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7 Nov 2023

Measures to Tackle High-rise Littering

Tan Wu Meng asked about measures for high-rise littering where CCTV use is not feasible due to HDB block design.
The National Environment Agency uses surveillance cameras with video analytics but steps up education, stakeouts, and investigations when camera deployment is not possible.
Residents are urged to be considerate, and a statutory presumption provision from July 2023 places greater responsibility on flat owners and tenants to prevent littering.

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7 Nov 2023

Classification of Self-employed Persons' Earnings as Variable Income in Computation for HDB Home Loans

The Ministry confirms that HDB's loan assessment considers all employment or trade income over 12 months, applying the same guidelines to both self-employed and salaried applicants without specifically labeling self-employed income as variable.
Key factors in loan computation include job stability, CPF contributions, and cash savings, with prudent limits such as a 25-year tenure, 80% loan-to-value ratio, and 30% mortgage servicing ratio.
Ms See Jinli Jean questioned the classification of self-employed income as variable and proposed a review for those with over three years of consistent work in freelance-dominated sectors like coaching.
The Minister clarified that HDB's consistent approach already accounts for income fluctuations across all applicants, aiming to ensure responsible lending.
No direct commitment to reclassify self-employed income was made, but the debate highlighted the need for tailored considerations in specific freelance-heavy industries.

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7 Nov 2023

Maintenance Issues for Car Parks with Interlocking Tiles

HDB has used interlocking paving blocks for over 30 years due to their benefits for underground access and environmental friendliness, but issues like loosening and unevenness arise from heavy traffic and poor workmanship.
In 2022, HDB reviewed the design and materials, deciding to use concrete pavements for high-traffic areas like car park entrances and refuse collection points in new projects.
HDB will continue using interlocking blocks in suitable areas but has not announced a complete cessation of their installation for future projects.

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7 Nov 2023

Review of Penalties for Real Estate Agents who Market or Sell HDB Flats that Do Not Meet Minimum Occupation Period

Miss Rachel Ong proposed a review of penalties for real estate agents who market or sell HDB flats before meeting the minimum occupation period, suggesting fines comparable to potential commissions or non-financial deterrents.
Desmond Lee stated that the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) has already strengthened its disciplinary framework, increasing the maximum financial penalty to $100,000 and considering factors like potential commission and culpability when determining penalties.
CEA imposes censure, financial penalties, and suspensions on errant agents, which serves as a strong deterrent since suspended agents cannot conduct work or earn commissions.
CEA currently has no plans to review the penalties for breaches of minimum occupation period rules.

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7 Nov 2023

Enhancing Public Rental Housing for Human Thriving

MP Carrie Tan urged redesigning public rental flats with more space and better aesthetics to support residents' physical health, mental well-being, and children's development, arguing that current living conditions can hinder social mobility and civic behavior.
The Minister of State acknowledged the importance of design and highlighted ongoing efforts, including integrated rental-sold blocks, improved flat layouts, and pilot programs like Single Room Shared Facilities to enhance living environments.
Both sides emphasized holistic support combining housing design with social services, such as ComLink+ and housing grants, to help rental families achieve stability and eventual home ownership.

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7 Nov 2023

Cost of Living Crisis

The government outlined its multi-pronged approach to manage the cost of living crisis, including tightening monetary policy to strengthen the Singapore dollar, maintaining economic competitiveness for wage growth, and ensuring basic services remain affordable, while providing targeted support like the Assurance Package and Cost-of-Living Support Package to cushion inflation's impact on households, especially lower- and middle-income groups.
Debates highlighted specific policy measures and opposition proposals, such as water and electricity pricing to reflect scarcity, GST increase defended as necessary for long-term fiscal needs like healthcare, and COE system adjustments to smooth supply, with the government rejecting ideas like broad-based subsidies or a points-based COE system as inefficient or impractical.
Housing affordability was a major concern, with the government defending its BTO framework and supply measures to address imbalances, while opposition members called for increased housing supply, especially rental flats, and deferral of the GST hike given higher-than-expected revenues.
The motion, as amended, was passed, acknowledging the global nature of cost-of-living pressures and calling on the government to continue policies that lower these pressures sustainably without burdening future generations.

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6 Nov 2023

Additional Ballot Chances for Unsuccessful Applicants for HDB Rental Flats under Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme

Murali Pillai asked if unsuccessful applicants for HDB rental flats under the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme could receive additional ballot chances, similar to the priority scheme for first-time BTO flat buyers.
The government revised the PPHS eligibility and balloting process in August 2021 to prioritize families with greater need, such as married couples with children aged 18 and below or those expecting a first child.
The supply of PPHS units has more than doubled from 800 in 2021 to about 2,000 currently, with plans to reach 4,000 units by 2025, reducing the application rate from over 20 times to around three times per flat.
Recent exercises have allowed all married couple applicants with children, along with other PPHS applicants, to have a chance to select a flat.
The government currently has no plans to provide additional ballot chances to any applicant group.

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6 Nov 2023

Bringing Launch of HDB BTO Projects Back on Track

Patrick Tay asked about returning HDB BTO launches to the usual February, May, August, and November schedule after delays caused by the new HDB Flat Eligibility letter system.
Minister Desmond Lee explained that launch timing may be adjusted due to disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic and technical glitches, which led to postponements such as from August to October 2023.
HDB aims to inform buyers early of any changes and remains committed to a steady supply, with about 23,000 flats to be launched in 2023 and 100,000 flats from 2021 to 2025.

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6 Nov 2023

Applications from Self-employed Persons for Housing Loans from HDB and Financial Institutions

Member See Jinli Jean asked for data on self-employed persons' housing loan applications from HDB and financial institutions over the last five years, including rejections due to Mortgage Servicing Ratio or Total Debt Servicing Ratio and a breakdown of platform workers.
Minister Desmond Lee stated HDB assesses loans based on job stability, CPF contributions, and cash savings, using guidelines like a 30% Mortgage Servicing Ratio but does not reject applications solely for exceeding this ratio.
HDB provided the number of self-employed persons who applied for HDB loans in the last five years but has no data on platform workers or on loan applications to financial institutions.
The government does not collect housing loan data from financial institutions as requested by the member.

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6 Nov 2023

Removal of Canopies Installed at Ground Floor HDB Flats

Ms Tin Pei Ling asked about the circumstances under which ground floor HDB flat dwellers must remove canopies at the back of their flats and whether the Ministry can work with the National Environment Agency to address high-rise littering before requiring removal.
Desmond Lee explained that installing items on HDB common property requires permission from the Town Council, which must obtain HDB’s consent, and unauthorized canopies pose safety and fire hazards, leading to enforcement actions.
He noted that high-rise littering is a serious public safety issue and that the National Environment Agency collaborates with Town Councils through education, surveillance, and enforcement to tackle the problem.

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6 Nov 2023

Review of Conditions Attached to Owners Buying HDB Executive Condominiums Given New Classifications of HDB Flats

Murali Pillai inquired whether the conditions for buying HDB Executive Condominiums will be reviewed to ensure affordability and accessibility in the resale market after the minimum occupation period, following the new HDB flat classifications.
Desmond Lee explained that ECs are designed as an affordable private housing option for higher-income Singaporeans, with eligibility conditions and resale restrictions to moderate prices, including a five-year minimum occupation period and subsequent resale limits.
The Minister noted that since 2021, three rounds of cooling measures have been implemented to promote a sustainable property market and affirmed that the Government will continue to review housing policies to keep the EC scheme relevant.

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6 Nov 2023

Heat Emissions from Top Floors of Multi-storey Car Parks with and without Rooftop Gardens

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked HDB to study heat emissions from top floors of multi-storey car parks (MSCPs), whether rooftop gardens emit less heat, and the practical limits to converting underused MSCP decks into gardens.
Desmond Lee stated that HDB converts underused MSCP rooftops to greenery and community gardens via a tray system, which studies show can reduce surface temperatures by an average of four degrees Celsius compared to bare concrete.
He noted that not all MSCP rooftops are suitable for conversion due to factors like structural load, utility availability, resident disamenities, fire safety, and area development plans.
The government will continue exploring ways to make good use of HDB MSCP rooftops, including for other community benefits beyond gardens.

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4 Oct 2023

Projected Number and Proportion of HDB BTO Units that Will Be Launched under New Standard, Plus and Prime Flat Classifications

The Minister for National Development stated that HDB will introduce Standard, Plus, and Prime flat classifications from the second half of 2024, with Standard flats forming the majority across all regions and Prime and Plus flats in choicer locations offering more subsidies but stricter restrictions.
HDB is committed to a steady supply of new BTO flats to meet Singaporeans' needs, building within or near existing estates and central areas, while keeping home ownership affordable and maintaining a social mix.
The exact projected number and proportion of BTO units under each classification for the next five, ten, and twenty years were not provided in the response; the classification of flats will be announced at each sales launch.

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4 Oct 2023

Number of Public Rental Housing Units to be Built

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for National Development about the number of public rental housing units to be built each year for the next five years and the percentage that will be in integrated versus dedicated rental blocks.
Minister Desmond Lee stated that about 900 public rental flats are under construction and will be completed over the next five years.
About one-third of these flats will be in integrated blocks with both sold and rental units, while the remaining will be in dedicated public rental blocks.
The government plans to continue building rental flats in integrated blocks across Standard, Plus and Prime projects to maintain inclusive neighbourhoods.

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4 Oct 2023

Assessment on Effectiveness of Non-slip Flooring Installed under EASE Programme

The Ministry has assessed the effectiveness of non-slip flooring under the EASE programme using the British Pendulum Number (BPN), confirming it provides slip resistance exceeding Singapore’s standard for wet toilet floors.
The slip-resistant treatment has an average lifespan of three to five years with proper use and cleaning, though effectiveness may decline due to dirt or soap residue.
Flat owners are responsible for maintenance and may reapply the treatment when needed; the Ministry did not explicitly commit to including refurbishment provisions in EASE 2.0.

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4 Oct 2023

Measures to Protect Privacy of Direct Neighbours of HDB Flat Owners with Corridor-facing CCTVs within Their Units

Leong Mun Wai asked the Minister for National Development about measures to protect the privacy of direct neighbours of HDB flat owners who install corridor-facing CCTVs within their units.
Desmond Lee stated that flat owners should ensure CCTVs do not face the doors or windows of other flats to respect neighbours' privacy, and HDB will work with grassroots leaders to advise adjustments if there is feedback.
Neighbours can resolve CCTV disputes through direct discussion, mediation at the Community Mediation Centre, or filing a claim with the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals as a last resort.

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4 Oct 2023

Number and Frequency of Breakdowns of Sigma Brand Lifts since Lifting of Tender Restriction in 2020

Mr Don Wee asked whether HDB has data on breakdowns of the 3,218 Sigma brand lifts installed since 2020 and if HDB would consider reinstating a tender restriction if breakdowns are high.
Minister Desmond Lee stated that Sigma's tender restriction was lifted in October 2020 due to improved performance, and its lifts have remained stable and comparable to other brands.
HDB evaluates lift performance in tenders, giving lower scores to tenderers with higher fault rates and disqualifying those whose lifts fail to meet performance criteria.

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4 Oct 2023

Steps Taken to Ensure Public Rental Housing Flats are in Sufficiently Good Living Condition

HDB physically inspects rental flats and promptly repairs or maintains them when tenants report issues, generally covering the costs as a goodwill gesture despite tenants’ contractual responsibilities.
Vacated rental flats are spruced up with cleaning, painting, lock replacements, and repairs, then inspected before being re-let to new tenants.
HDB runs periodic upgrading programmes and redevelops older blocks as part of rejuvenation plans, refreshing the rental stock and offering tenants newer flats.

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