Housing & estates — Topics

9 May 2023

Prevalence of Home Rental Scams Using Online Platforms as Conduit

The number of home rental scams via online platforms surged from 192 cases in 2021 to 979 in 2022, with scammers impersonating property agents or landlords to trick victims into paying deposits.
The Ministry stated that homeowners whose properties are fraudulently used in such scams are not penalized unless they are involved, and efforts are underway with online platforms to remove fraudulent listings and advisories.
To protect the public, the Ministry urges verification of property agents through the CEA Public Register and recommends using dedicated property rental platforms instead of general social media or marketplace sites.

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8 May 2023

CPF Members Aged 55 and Above with Outstanding Mortgage Payments

Minister Tan See Leng provided median figures instead of averages for CPF members aged 55 and above with outstanding mortgages, showing 6.5% of those below the Basic Retirement Sum (BRS) using a median of $380 monthly, 10.5% of those meeting BRS but not the Full Retirement Sum (FRS) using $700, and 7.4% of those meeting FRS using $1,000.
For CPF members aged 63 and above, 2.5% of those below BRS used a median of $330 monthly, 4.2% of those meeting BRS but not FRS used $590, and 1.8% of those meeting FRS used $900 for mortgage payments.
The Minister emphasized that median amounts are more representative than averages due to skew from a small group with higher mortgage instalments.

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8 May 2023

Upgrading Unit Electrical Power Supply from 30 to 40 Amps under HDB's Electrical Load Upgrading Programme

Murali Pillai asked for an update on the progress of upgrading the electrical power supply from 30 to 40 amps for older HDB blocks in Bukit Batok under HDB's Electrical Load Upgrading Programme.
Desmond Lee confirmed that the programme will upgrade about 1,500 older HDB blocks, with completion targeted by 2030.
Approximately 50 HDB blocks in Bukit Batok are eligible, and design consultants are currently conducting site feasibility studies and developing detailed proposals.
HDB will engage stakeholders, including grassroots leaders and residents, once the design and upgrading plans are ready.
The programme aims to enhance the electrical infrastructure to meet modern usage demands.

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8 May 2023

Appeals to Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers to Review Valuations for HDB Flats

Ms He Ting Ru asked for data on the number of appeals to the Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers (SISV) over the past 10 years and how many resulted in revaluations for HDB flats.
Desmond Lee provided tabulated data on the number of resale flat buyer appeals to SISV and their outcomes.
The debate centered on the frequency and outcomes of SISV appeals for HDB flat valuations, highlighting transparency in the process.

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8 May 2023

Fixed Timeframe for Coffee Shop Operators to Find Replacement Halal Food Stalls

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked if the government would set a fixed timeframe for coffee shop operators to replace a closed halal stall and impose stricter penalties, beyond future lease non-renewal, for non-compliance.
Minister Desmond Lee explained that HDB already requires operators to have at least one halal stall and to find a replacement within the current tenancy period, with non-renewal or termination as potential actions if they fail.
The Minister noted that stricter penalties may not be the best approach, as operators face challenges like low demand and competition, and the Ministry prefers to engage the industry to co-create solutions for maintaining halal food availability.

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8 May 2023

Breakdown of Ethnic Integration Policy-related Appeals Acceded to in 2022 by Ethnicity

In 2022, HDB received 411 Ethnic Integration Policy-related appeals, acceding to 128 of them as of 21 March 2023.
Of the 128 acceded appeals, 92 were from Indian/Other race flat owners.
29 acceded appeals were from Malay flat owners, and seven were from Chinese flat owners.

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8 May 2023

System to Collate Feedback from Town Councils on Maintenance Crews' Work on Lifts at HDB Blocks

Murali Pillai questioned if HDB has a system to collect Town Council feedback on lift maintenance crews' work and whether this feedback is used to assess contractors for future HDB projects.
Desmond Lee explained that HDB monitors all lifts via a Tele-Monitoring System, with lift fault rates reflecting maintenance quality, and these rates are used as evaluation criteria in lift installation tenders.
He noted that lift maintenance contracts include measures to ensure quality, and contractors with higher fault rates receive lower scores in tenders.

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8 May 2023

Number of HDB Flats Built under Design, Build and Sell Scheme Sold for More Than $1 Million

Gan Thiam Poh asked how many HDB flats built under the Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS) have sold for over $1 million.
Desmond Lee stated that DBSS was introduced in 2005 to provide more flat choices through private developers, with land sales suspended since 2012.
He confirmed that as of the first quarter of 2023, 229 DBSS flats were sold in the open market for $1 million or more.

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8 May 2023

Mortgages Refinanced and Measures to Help Singapore Home Owners Facing Sudden Spike in Interest Rates

Close to 27,000 homeowners with mortgages from financial institutions refinanced their loans in the 12 months from March 2022 to February 2023, representing 6% of all outstanding mortgage loans.
The average monthly mortgage payment increase for these borrowers was about $240, or roughly 2% of their monthly income, which was cushioned by an average income growth of about 10% over the last three years.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) noted that most borrowers are managing the payment increases prudently and has taken steps to encourage prudent borrowing, while homeowners facing difficulties are advised to contact their lenders early.
For HDB homeowners experiencing repayment issues, various government measures are available, with details provided in recent official reports and speeches on support for Singaporeans in need.

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8 May 2023

Plans for Wet Market in Braddell Heights Constituency after Expiry of Lease to Private Operator

The only wet market in Braddell Heights will return to HDB in October 2024 after its private operator’s lease expires.
HDB will offer the current operator a one-year interim tenancy to ensure continuity, with conditions to keep stallholders and rents unchanged.
After the interim period, HDB plans to tender the market on a three-year lease via a Price-Quality Method to select an operator that best meets residents’ needs.
HDB is open to converting vacant spaces for other uses and is engaging stakeholders, including the current operator and grassroots leaders, on future plans.

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8 May 2023

HDB Rental Flat Tenants in Arrears and Reasons

HDB sends SMS and letter reminders in the first two months of rent arrears and encourages tenants to contact them if facing difficulties, with officers reaching out through calls and house visits from the third month to understand individual circumstances.
HDB offers compassionate assistance measures, including rent reduction and instalment plans for tenants in financial difficulties, and refers them to social service agencies for further support.
The approach focuses on actively advising and guiding tenants while addressing the underlying reasons for arrears through direct engagement and external referrals.

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8 May 2023

Abuse of Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty by Joint Owners of HDB Flats

Gan Thiam Poh asked how many HDB joint owners have been found to have falsely filed for divorce to decouple their flat and avoid ABSD on a second property.
Desmond Lee stated that courts require valid statutory grounds for divorce and that no HDB flat owners have been found to have done this.
The response confirmed there have been no proven cases of ABSD abuse through false divorce filings among HDB joint owners.

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8 May 2023

Families that have Benefited from Home Ownership Plus Education Scheme

As of 31 December 2022, around 3,400 families have benefited from the Home Ownership Plus Education (HOPE) scheme, which includes incentives for training, employment, housing, utilities, education, and family support.
The Minister confirmed that some beneficiaries have exited the scheme midway, indicating that participation is not always continuous for all families.
The exchange focused on clarifying the scope and outcomes of the HOPE scheme, with follow-up questions from the MP to better understand its implementation and participant experience.

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8 May 2023

Campaign on Need to Bag Trash Thrown Down Rubbish Chutes Post Plastic Bag Levy

Ms He Ting Ru asked the Ministry for Sustainability and the Environment to collaborate with HDB on a public awareness campaign reminding residents to bag rubbish for disposal in chutes following the plastic bag levy.
Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State, responded that the supermarket bag charge aims to nudge reusable bag use but does not remove access to disposable bags, and residents should continue bagging waste responsibly.
The Ministry will continue suggesting alternatives to disposable carrier bags for waste bagging.
No supplementary questions were taken, and the debate moved to Ms Joan Pereira.

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21 Apr 2023

HDB Accommodation Options for Persons with Disabilities in Public Rental Housing and New BTO Developments

HDB designs all new public housing, including rental and BTO flats, to be accessible to persons with disabilities by complying with the Building and Construction Authority’s Code on Accessibility and incorporating universal design features like barrier-free routes and ramps.
Persons with disabilities living in HDB flats can access home-based care services, such as Home Personal Care, to support their daily needs.
A task force under the Enabling Masterplan 2030 is developing new community living models for persons with disabilities, with recommendations expected later this year to guide future housing and care options in HDB estates.

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21 Apr 2023

Time-limited Special Funding Support for Town Councils to Deal with Higher Cost of Maintenance

Murali Pillai asked for details on the time-limited special funding support for Town Councils announced on 2 March 2023 to address higher maintenance costs and external factors like energy price spikes.
Desmond Lee explained that the Government already provides substantial annual grants of around $240 million to Town Councils through various schemes, and had offered additional support in May 2022 for projects amid cost increases from COVID-19, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and supply issues.
The Government plans to offer further time-limited special funding to cushion the impact on residents if Town Councils adjust their Service and Conservancy Charges rates for long-term sustainability, with more details to be shared later.

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21 Apr 2023

Proposal for Married First-timer Home Ownership Measure to be Rolled Out Earlier

Patrick Tay Teck Guan asked whether new measures for married first-timer home ownership could start earlier, from the May 2023 BTO application.
Desmond Lee stated that the enhanced support measures were announced for the August 2023 BTO exercise to allow time for public understanding and system implementation.
The measures target eligible first-timer families with young children and married couples under 40.

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21 Apr 2023

Monitoring of Maintenance Standards at HDB Car Parks

Murali Pillai asked how HDB proactively monitors car park maintenance standards, tracks contractor performance, and whether the flat fee arrangement with Town Councils should be reviewed to promote timely maintenance.
Desmond Lee explained that HDB appoints Town Councils as maintenance agents under agreements requiring routine upkeep and annual inspections, with oversight via audit checks and service provider inspections.
Since 2021, HDB shifted from a flat fee to a performance-based payment model and introduced Liquidated Damages clauses to enforce standards.
A new Estates Management System (iEMS) is being rolled out to track maintenance status and defects, enabling better oversight once fully implemented.
HDB plans to continue strengthening the maintenance regime to better serve residents' needs.

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21 Apr 2023

Dealing with Neighbours who Persistently Breach Noise Limits at HDB Blocks

The debate centered on how to address persistent noise violations in HDB blocks, with a focus on whether the Singapore Police Force should handle such cases.
The government emphasized a community-based approach, leveraging social agencies, grassroots leaders, and legal frameworks to resolve noise issues, rather than relying on police intervention.
Police involvement is limited to scenarios with law and order concerns, such as fights or large gatherings that pose safety risks, where they would investigate and take action on any criminal offenses.

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21 Apr 2023

Data on Households That Paid for Purchase of HDB BTO Flats without Using Cash Payments

Between 2018 and 2022, about nine in 10 BTO flat buyers with an HDB housing loan did not need to make any cash payment at key collection, a proportion that has remained stable over the last five years.
Approximately eight in 10 BTO buyers with an HDB loan were able to service their monthly mortgage entirely using their Central Provident Fund, with no cash outlay.
Among BTO buyers with an HDB loan who did not make cash payments, the flats purchased were mostly 4-room units (56%), followed by 5-room or 3Gen flats (21%), 3-room flats (12%), and 2-room Flexi flats (11%).

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