Housing & estates — Topics

12 Sep 2022

Regulations on Hoarding as Fire Hazard in Residential Estates

Don Wee asked the Minister for National Development to review regulations on hoarding in residential estates, consider further measures to prevent fire incidents, and explore upstream solutions, citing recent fire hazards.
Desmond Lee explained that hoarding is a complex issue often linked to mental health, trauma, or social factors, and poses serious fire and safety risks, which the government addresses through a multi-agency framework led by the Municipal Services Office.
The government employs an inter-agency approach combining enforcement, community intervention, and referrals to mental health services, though challenges remain in gaining cooperation from hoarders and preventing recurrence.
Agencies plan to intensify enforcement on cluttered corridors, enhance public education, and act firmly on severe cases to protect public health and safety, urging public understanding and reporting via the OneService App.

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12 Sep 2022

HDB Flats Damaged by Fire and Households Covered under HDB Fire Insurance Scheme

Sitoh Yih Pin asked about the number of HDB flats damaged by fire in the past five years and whether HDB would expand its Fire Insurance Scheme to cover home contents, renovations, and personal belongings.
Foo Mee Har inquired about the current percentage of HDB households insured under the scheme and suggested making it mandatory with financial support for those unable to afford it.
Desmond Lee responded that 51% of HDB flats are insured, with premiums ranging from $1.62 to $8.10 for five-year coverage, and highlighted that insurance is mandatory only for those with HDB mortgage loans, while others are encouraged to seek their own coverage.

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12 Sep 2022

More Loading/Unloading Parking Lots in HDB and Private Estates to Facilitate Deliveries to Residents

Joan Pereira asked whether the Ministry of National Development will provide more loading and unloading parking lots in HDB and private estates to help delivery workers.
Desmond Lee responded that HDB estates already have loading and unloading bays at each block, with more provided if there are shops, and that the current provision is generally sufficient while HDB monitors the situation.
For private estates, the LTA encourages sufficient delivery spaces, and management corporations can add more or allow temporary parking, with agencies developing best practices for safe and practical delivery access.

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12 Sep 2022

Tenants of HDB Rental Flats in Arrears in First Six Months of 2022

In the first six months of 2022, about 6,800 public rental households were in rental arrears of three months or more, while around 1,200 households had late payment charges waived on compassionate grounds.
HDB assists tenants in arrears through a holistic approach, including advising households, reducing rent, referring them to MSF social service offices, and waiving late charges for those who take steps to address their debt, such as working out a repayment plan or seeking financial aid.
For tenants who have passed on, HDB terminates the tenancy and writes off any remaining debts if there are no other occupiers, or works with other occupiers to address the arrears if the flat has other residents.

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12 Sep 2022

Oversubscription of Primary 1 Places at Princess Elizabeth Primary School

Mr Murali Pillai highlighted the persistently high oversubscription for Primary 1 places at Princess Elizabeth Primary School due to new housing developments, asking if MOE will build an additional school nearby.
MOE explained it carefully studies local demand and supply trends, considering demographics and regional planning, and avoids creating new schools too quickly to prevent cannibalising existing ones.
For Bukit Batok, sufficient Primary 1 places remain at nearby Lianhua and Bukit View Primary schools, with about 200 places (14%) unsold this year, slightly higher than last year.
MOE is closely monitoring trends and projected demand from planned housing developments, having factored them into ongoing planning and being close to finalising plans.

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12 Sep 2022

Fires in HDB Units Caused by Cluttered Homes in Last 10 Years

From January 2018 to August 2022, there were 4,535 fires in HDB units, primarily due to unattended cooking, improper disposal of lighted materials, and faulty electrical appliances.
Out of these, 15 fires involved HDB units with signs of hoarding-like behavior, with two occurring in public rental flats and none in two-room flexi flats.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force does not have data on fires involving HDB units with hoarding-like behavior before 2018.

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12 Sep 2022

More Comprehensive Insurance Coverage for HDB Homes

Sharael Taha asked about the number of HDB flats damaged by fire, the percentage covered only by HDB Fire Insurance, and whether coverage could include renovations, furniture, and personal belongings as an opt-out scheme.
Desmond Lee reported that 369 fires occurred in the past three years, with 59% covered by HDB fire insurance, and noted that HDB does not track other insurance policies.
The HDB Fire Insurance Scheme provides basic coverage for building structures and fixtures to relieve financial burdens, but excludes home contents to keep premiums affordable.
Flat owners can purchase additional insurance for home contents from insurers of their choice, and the scheme is mandatory only for those with HDB mortgage loans.

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12 Sep 2022

Lowering Qualifying Age for Lease Buyback Scheme in Special Cases

Murali Pillai proposed lowering the Lease Buyback Scheme's age criterion from 65 for disabled owners facing job insecurity who would benefit from earlier flat monetisation.
The Minister explained the 65-year age aligns with CPF payouts to ensure seniors receive monthly CPF payments post-LBS.
HDB has shown flexibility by allowing exceptions for those with long-term medical costs and financial struggles, including the disabled facing employment challenges.

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12 Sep 2022

Rezoning Land along Fernvale Close and Fernvale Link

Mr Gan Thiam Poh questioned the reasons for rezoning the land from Reserve to Residential and asked if it could instead be zoned for Educational Institutions, while also seeking plans to address traffic congestion and the demand for schools, greenery, and recreational facilities.
Minister Desmond Lee explained that the rezoning is to meet housing needs, following public consultation under the Planning Act, and that upcoming measures include new roads, expanded light rail capacity, and park provisions to alleviate traffic and community concerns.
The Minister emphasized the importance of balancing competing land uses in land-scarce Singapore and affirmed ongoing collaboration with agencies and stakeholders in planning for the site.

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12 Sep 2022

Advance Announcements for HDB Precincts Selected for Home Improvement Programme

Mr Murali Pillai asked if HDB will publicly forecast which precincts will be selected for the Home Improvement Programme (HIP) to help residents plan their renovations better.
Minister Desmond Lee explained that HIP is a ten-year phased programme starting in 2020, with precinct selection done yearly based on priority given to older flats, which are typically around 30 years old.
Town Councils nominate and prioritise eligible precincts for HDB and MND’s evaluation, with HDB informing them of the remaining eligible precincts each year.
The HIP scope includes essential works like repairs and optional upgrades like toilet improvements; residents can opt out of optional works if they have already planned or done their own renovations.

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12 Sep 2022

Temporary Extension of Stay for HDB Flat Owners to Rectify Non-compliant Structures within Flat in Resale Transactions

Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling asked about HDB’s process and checklist for buyers inspecting a resale flat with a Temporary Extension of Stay (TES) and what recourse buyers have if they find non-compliant structures after HDB’s checks.
Miss Chan also inquired whether HDB will consider the TES period when requiring buyers to undertake structural and safety works on resale flats.
Desmond Lee stated that TES is a private arrangement between sellers and buyers approved by HDB, with terms including extension period, rental, and flat condition, and sellers must deliver vacant possession after the TES ends.
He clarified that buyers must inspect the flat before completion, with HDB providing no checklist as inspection items depend on the parties’ agreement, and buyers can engage a Qualified Person to assist; HDB also inspects for unauthorized renovations affecting structural stability before completion.
Buyers purchase on a caveat emptor basis, responsible for inspecting the flat and any subsequent irregularities, but may approach HDB for advice if unauthorised works are found after purchase, leading to assessment and follow-up actions.

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12 Sep 2022

Flow of Foreign Money into Local Property Market in Last Two Years

Leong Mun Wai asked about the trend of foreign money inflow into Singapore's property market over the last two years and its impact on prices.
Desmond Lee responded that foreigners account for a small and declining proportion of private housing transactions, about 3% in the past two years, down from pre-pandemic levels.
He noted that foreigners are not allowed to buy HDB flats and that the government will monitor foreign inflows and adjust policies as needed to maintain a stable property market.

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12 Sep 2022

Review of Fire Safety Standards for HDB Blocks and Installation of Home Fire Alarm Devices for all HDB Public Rental Flats

The Home Fire Alarm Device scheme for all HDB public rental flats was completed in June 2021 with a 75% take-up rate, and the government does not plan to expand the scheme to other households despite requests.
Fire safety standards are regularly reviewed, with current requirements including fire-rated doors only for units not facing external corridors, and residents who want fire-rated doors where not mandated must pay the extra cost themselves.
A trial is underway to place fire extinguishers in HDB lift lobbies, and SCDF is educating residents on fire safety through community programs, but the government does not plan to place extinguishers along common corridors as suggested.
Hoarding cases are managed through a multi-agency framework (HMCG) involving HDB, SCDF, and NEA, but challenges remain in gaining cooperation and clearance, with the government emphasizing complex, case-specific approaches rather than simple enforcement.
While some MPs suggested more trained officers or mental health resources for hoarding cases, the government highlighted the need for family support and public understanding, noting that hoarding is not a direct fire risk but a broader social issue.

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2 Aug 2022

Data on Flats Repossessed by HDB due to Failure to Pay Mortgages

From January 2020 to June 2022, HDB compulsorily acquired 203 flats, with 82% of these due to mortgage arrears as a last resort after assistance was provided.
Of the 203 acquired flats, 91% have been offered for sale in HDB's Sale of Balance Flats exercises, and the remainder will be offered in future exercises.
The Minister's response provided an annual breakdown of the acquisitions for the period, focusing on flats acquired due to persistent mortgage payment failures.

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2 Aug 2022

Ceiling and Wall Leakages Reported by Top-most Units of HDB Blocks with Solar Panels Installed on Roof

Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked for the number of ceiling or wall leakages in top-most HDB units with solar panels over the last five years.
Desmond Lee stated that HDB prohibits drilling on roofs for solar panels, using weighted concrete ballasts on felt pads instead.
HDB received feedback on 76 ceiling leaks in top-most units from about 2,900 blocks with solar panels over the last five years.
HDB found no trend indicating that solar panel installations increase ceiling leaks in top-most units.
HDB will continue ensuring contractors follow its design requirements for solar panel installations.

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2 Aug 2022

Help for First-time HDB BTO Flat Applicants Who Are Unable to Secure Sufficient Loan Quantum

From 2017 to 2021, between 13 and 84 first-time applicants per year (about 0.4% of the group) were unable to complete their 3- or 4-room BTO flat purchases due to insufficient loan quantum.
The main reasons for loan insufficiency included changes in financial circumstances such as retrenchment, income reduction, bankruptcy, or booking a flat beyond their budget.
HDB provides case-by-case assistance, including waiver of forfeiture fees and wait-out periods, or allowing switches to more affordable flats, with about two-thirds of affected buyers taking up these measures.

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2 Aug 2022

Review of Removal Allowance for Residents Affected by Selective En Bloc Redevelopment Scheme

Nadia Ahmad Samdin questioned the factors determining the removal allowance for SERS-affected residents and suggested re-evaluating the current $10,000 allowance due to rising costs.
Desmond Lee explained that SERS compensation is based on prevailing market values, with a $10,000 removal allowance and additional fees for replacements, and that HDB reviews the package holistically considering mover costs and optional schemes to reduce renovation expenses.
Lee noted that SERS flat owners can appeal to an independent board if they have concerns about compensation, and the government monitors costs for potential future reviews.

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2 Aug 2022

Plans to Ensure Success of Project Wolbachia in More Housing Estates

NEA plans to expand Project Wolbachia to eight additional sites, covering 1,400 more HDB blocks and over 300,000 households, to study its impact on dengue cases.
The Ministry is developing automated systems to scale up the production of male Wolbachia-Aedes mosquitoes, aiming to increase output from two million to five million per week by end 2022.
The expansion supports sustained releases in existing sites while exploring the effectiveness of Wolbachia technology in suppressing dengue.
Source reduction remains a critical strategy, and the Ministry emphasizes the need for public cooperation to eliminate mosquito breeding sites.
The overall goal is to maintain the project's success in reducing dengue rates while scaling up efforts across more housing estates.

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2 Aug 2022

Rental Demand for Colonial Black and White Bungalows

The Minister confirmed that the Singapore Land Authority manages 262 colonial Black and White bungalows over 20,000 square feet, with 236 tenanted as of July 2022, commanding a median monthly rental of about $13,000 and typically leased on two- to three-year terms.
Rental demand for these historic bungalows has improved this year compared to previous years, but larger properties have lower per-square-foot rents and lower occupancy rates than smaller ones, with individual rentals not disclosed publicly.
The Minister noted that colonial Black and White bungalows, built in the early 1900s, often require tenant investment for modern amenities, which contrasts with newer Good Class Bungalows, and that rental values are influenced by market timing, property condition, and other factors.

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2 Aug 2022

Good Class Bungalows Purchased by Non-citizens Under Special Approval

Mr Leong Mun Wai asked whether non-citizens have purchased Good Class Bungalows (GCBs) under special approval since 2000 and how many such approvals have been granted.
Minister K Shanmugam stated that from 2012 to 2021, five approvals were given under the Residential Property Act for non-Singaporeans to acquire GCBs, with all acquirers being Singapore Permanent Residents.
Of the five approvals, two were inheritance cases involving family transfers, meaning only three were new purchases by SPRs in the last decade.
Applications are assessed against stringent criteria, and approvals are only granted to SPRs who meet these requirements.
If further data beyond 2012 is needed, the Member must write to relevant agencies with reasons, and they will collate the information.

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