Housing & estates — Topics

21 Apr 2023

Defect Rates and Time Taken for Resolution of Defects for BTO Flats Built Before and After COVID-19 Pandemic

Minister Desmond Lee stated that HDB’s average CONQUAS scores increased from 92 in FY2017–2019 to 95 in FY2020–2022, showing no decline in construction quality.
The proportion of flat owners reporting defects within the one-year Defects Liability Period remained unchanged before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
More than 90% of all reported defects were rectified within 14 working days for both pre- and post-pandemic BTO flats, with most defects being minor imperfections.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

21 Apr 2023

Policy Stance on "99-to-1" Arrangements for Stamp Duty Payment in Property Transactions and Measures to Prevent Recurrence

The Deputy Prime Minister's office confirmed that IRAS can disregard "99-to-1" arrangements to collect the correct Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD) and may impose a 50% surcharge for tax avoidance, with audits initiated as such cases rose in recent years.
From 2018 to 2021, about 0.5% of private residential property transactions involved similar partial interest transfers, typically between immediate family members, to reduce ABSD, but officials stated these have no significant impact on the broader housing market.
IRAS refers property agents promoting such schemes to the Council for Estate Agencies for disciplinary action, which can include fines or suspension, and will collaborate with other regulatory bodies to hold facilitators accountable.
Investigations into specific cases, including the number of audits sent and the total tax avoided, are ongoing, so detailed figures are not yet available, but voluntary disclosure may be viewed more favorably.
The government emphasized that financial institutions face no additional credit risk from these structures due to joint liability for mortgage loans, and current enforcement focuses on tax avoidance rather than banking regulations.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

10 Apr 2023

Ministry of National Development

The Ministry of National Development will refresh its housing and planning strategies based on extensive public engagement, aiming to update land use plans, maintain a steady pipeline of housing completions, and keep the property market stable.
A new social compact on housing will support families, maintain inclusivity in prime areas, provide more options for singles and seniors, and focus on community-building, estate rejuvenation, and promoting mutual respect in neighborhoods.
The Ministry plans bold long-term transformations, such as the Greater Southern Waterfront and relocating Paya Lebar Airbase, to create new sustainable towns while preserving Singapore's natural heritage and identity amid climate challenges.
Efforts will strengthen the built environment sector by promoting productivity, reducing reliance on foreign manpower, and advancing sustainability to meet net-zero emissions by 2050, ensuring resilience and vibrancy for future generations.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

21 Mar 2023

Spalling Concrete Cases Reported to HDB in Past Three Years

Melvin Yong asked for the annual number of spalling concrete cases reported to HDB over the past three years, broken down by the age of the flats.
Desmond Lee reported that there were no cases for flats five years old and below.
For flats five to 15 years old and 15 to 25 years old, HDB received about one case per 1,000 flats per year.
For flats 25 to 35 years old, HDB received about three cases per 1,000 flats per year.
For flats 35 years old and above, HDB received about 32 cases per 1,000 flats per year.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

21 Mar 2023

Support for Singaporeans to Rent in Open Market

Louis Chua asked about measures to support Singaporeans renting in the open market, rent control possibilities, and the thresholds for implementing such controls.
Desmond Lee outlined existing support like the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme, which is being expanded, and plans to increase housing supply to influence the rental market.
He noted that rent controls could distort the market and reduce supply or maintenance, and the government will continue monitoring and adjusting policies as needed.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

21 Mar 2023

Allocation of Public Rental Flats to Approved Applicants

The Ministry for National Development reported that approximately 1,000 approved applicants for public rental flats have not yet selected a flat, with 40% having previously been invited but not taken up the opportunity.
Approved applicants are invited to select flats in chronological order from earliest to most recent, with each applicant given up to three invitations; those who decline twice are deprioritized to allow others ahead.
Priority may be granted upon appeal to applicants in urgent need, such as those with medical grounds or exceptional circumstances, while the average waiting time for an invitation has decreased to about six months.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

21 Mar 2023

Length of Lease Duration of Public Rental Flat Tenants

The Minister for National Development provided the current lease duration percentiles for public rental tenants: 25th percentile at four years, median at 10 years, and 75th percentile at 19 years.
These figures show an increase compared to 2013, where the 25th percentile was three years, median eight years, and 75th percentile 17 years.
The data indicates that public rental flat tenants are generally staying longer in their leases over the past decade.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

21 Mar 2023

Reasons for Low Take-up Rate for Lease Buyback Scheme among Owners of Larger Flats

The Minister explained that the low take-up rate for the Lease Buyback Scheme among owners of larger flats is due to factors such as having other retirement income sources, a desire to bequeath the flat, or preference for other monetisation options like right-sizing or renting.
To increase annual take-up beyond 1,500 households, HDB is enhancing outreach through community events, media, public talks, and personalised letters to seniors, while continuing to review and improve communication on housing monetisation options.
The government is providing multiple avenues for seniors to unlock flat value for retirement, including the Lease Buyback Scheme, Silver Housing Bonus for right-sizing, and rental options, with ongoing efforts to ensure policies remain relevant.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

21 Mar 2023

BTO Flat Applicants who Purchased Flats as Fiancé and Fiancée but Do Not Subsequently Submit Marriage Certificate

HDB requires fiancé-fiancée flat applicants to submit a marriage certificate within three months of key collection, with possible extensions, and tracks 79 couples from the past 10 years who missed the six-month mark; most are recent cases citing COVID-19 disruptions.
Of these 79, three were allowed to retain the flat with a family member from the original application, HDB initiated compulsory acquisition for two, and five have applied to surrender their flats.
The Minister explained that retaining a flat after a breakup is generally not allowed due to the loss of the family nucleus, except when a parent originally listed in the application remains, as they can form a qualifying family unit on their own.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

21 Mar 2023

Reasons for HDB BTO Applicants Not Booking A Flat When Invited to Do So

40% of BTO applicants do not book flats when invited, commonly because their preferred units are taken, they opt for resale flats, or they change their minds for other sales exercises.
The government has tightened rules since August 2023, where first-timers with a non-selection count are treated as second-timers for a year, and second-timers with a non-selection count are barred from sales exercises for a year.
Applicants are not required to justify non-booking, but HDB may waive non-selection counts for extenuating circumstances if documentary evidence is provided; those with very limited flat choices are also exempt from non-selection counts.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

20 Mar 2023

Budget Meal Criteria in New Lease Renewal Requirements for HDB Rental Coffee Shops

The Minister stated that the budget meal price is proposed by operators and reviewed by HDB to remain affordable, typically around $3 to $3.50, balancing business sustainability with residents' needs.
Existing operators under the Price-Quality Method must continue providing six budget meals and one budget drink, while other operators are only required to offer four budget meals and two drinks upon lease renewal until further review.
HDB is offering a 5% rent discount for one year to ease the transition for operators and stallholders in meeting the new budget meal requirements.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

20 Mar 2023

Vary Choice of Locations in Consecutive BTO Sales Exercises

Dennis Tan asked if HDB can vary location choices in consecutive BTO sales exercises to provide more options for unsuccessful buyers.
Desmond Lee explained that HDB aims for a good geographical spread in each launch but is constrained by land availability and the need to ensure viable infrastructure in new towns like Tengah.
Recent and upcoming BTO launches include a mix of mature and non-mature estates across multiple towns, with plans to release 100,000 flats from 2021 to 2025.
Buyers with specific location preferences may consider resale flats, which come with housing grants of up to $190,000 for first-timers.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

20 Mar 2023

Impact of Higher Interest Rate on HDB Mortgage Rates and Loan Repayments

The concessionary HDB mortgage rate is currently 2.6% per annum, pegged to the CPF Ordinary Account rate, and existing credit measures aim to ensure prudent borrowing even amid rising interest rates.
HDB offers financial assistance measures such as temporary reduction or deferral of loan instalments, arrears repayment plans, and loan tenure extensions for homeowners facing repayment difficulties.
For loans from financial institutions, homeowners are encouraged to seek early assistance, with standardized interventions including potential loan restructuring and referrals to social service agencies.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

20 Mar 2023

Review of Application Process under Sale of Balance Flat Scheme

Dennis Tan asked for a review of the Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) application process to shorten the total time from launch to balloting and allocation, noting the limited number of flats each time.
Desmond Lee explained that SBF exercises offer a diverse range of flat types, locations, and prices, leading to more application categories and high application rates, which contribute to longer balloting and selection times.
HDB's current timeline for SBF applicants includes receiving ballot results about six weeks after the application period closes and booking a flat within six months of the results.
HDB regularly reviews and refines its sales processes to better meet the needs of home seekers, and will continue to consider improvements where possible.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

20 Mar 2023

Applications under Scheme to Buy Back Units from Ethnic Integration Policy-constrained Flat Owners

Ms He Ting Ru inquired about the number of applications, ethnic breakdown, and successful sales under the scheme to buy back flats from Ethnic Integration Policy-constrained owners.
Desmond Lee stated that HDB provides various assistance measures and, in 2022, received 411 EIP-related appeals with a specific ethnic breakdown, acceding to 128 appeals of which only four were assisted via the buyback measure.
Most appeals were ineligible due to flat owners not making regular selling attempts or not owning their flats for at least 10 years, and HDB will continue to assist those facing genuine difficulties.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

20 Mar 2023

HDB BTO Applicants Who Declined to Select Their Flat

The 40% non-selection rate for HDB BTO applicants is fairly consistent across flat types, with 2021 rates ranging from 36.1% for 4-room flats to 44.7% for 2-room flexi flats.
For 2-room flexi flats in 2021, non-selection rates were about 45% for seniors and first-timer families, and about 43% for first-timer singles, with second-timer families at 51%.
HDB already prioritizes applicants with greater housing needs through quotas and schemes, and the government has tightened non-selection rules effective from the August 2023 BTO exercise to streamline allocation.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

20 Mar 2023

Profile of First-timer HDB Flat Owners at Point of Key Collection

Hazel Poa asked the Minister for National Development for the age and gender breakdown of first-timer HDB flat owners at key collection, at the 10th percentile, 90th percentile, and median levels for 2017–2019 and 2020–2022.
Desmond Lee provided a tabulated breakdown of first-timer family applicants by age and gender at key collection for the requested periods.
The debate focused on statistical profiles of first-timer HDB flat owners at the point of key collection, covering two time frames and different percentile levels.
The exchange centered on demographic data trends for new flat owners, specifically age and gender distributions.
The response from the minister was data-focused, presenting a table without additional policy commentary.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

20 Mar 2023

Enforcement against Neighbours who Refuse to Cooperate for the Repairs of Spalling Concrete or Leakages

HDB does not currently have any reported cases of uncooperative flat owners for spalling concrete, as it is a single-unit issue.
For ceiling leaks, which involve joint responsibility between upper- and lower-floor owners, HDB is taking legal action against seven uncooperative upper-floor flat owners.
Flat owners are generally cooperative, and HDB provides financial support and mediation as a first step, with legal action as a last resort.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

20 Mar 2023

Proposal to Install Double-glazed Windows in New HDB Flats Being Built in Areas Close to Main Roads, MRT Tracks or RSAF Flight Paths

Mariam Jaafar asked whether HDB can install double-glazed windows in new flats near main roads, MRT tracks, or RSAF flight paths to reduce noise.
Desmond Lee explained that complete soundproofing is not feasible in HDB's high-density, naturally ventilated design, and double-glazed windows require closed windows to be effective.
HDB conducts noise impact assessments and uses design features like overhangs and canopies to mitigate land transport noise for new flats near roads and MRT tracks.
For aircraft noise, HDB is testing noise-cancelling technologies and innovative facade designs and will introduce them when ready.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

20 Mar 2023

Ensuring Materials Used for Screeding of Floors in HDB Common Areas Are Non-slip and Look Pleasant

Lim Biow Chuan asked about the criteria HDB uses to assess non-slip and aesthetically pleasant materials for screeding floors in HDB common areas.
Desmond Lee explained that for new BTO projects, HDB requires contractors to use Acrylic Polymer Cementitious Coating with a sealer coat, which meets Singapore Standard 485 slip resistance (40–50 British Pendulum Numbers) and provides a uniform grey look.
For existing estates, Town Councils are responsible for inspecting and maintaining common area floors, and HDB does not stipulate materials or standards but offers technical advice when needed.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source