Housing & estates — Topics

1 Feb 2021

Installation of CCTV Cameras by HDB Flat Owners at Unit’s Main Door or Metal Gate and Number of Cases Lodged against Such Installation in Last Three Years and Actions Taken

HDB flat owners are generally not allowed to install CCTV cameras facing common corridors or areas to protect neighbor privacy, but exceptions can be made for safety issues like harassment, provided a Police report is submitted and Town Council approval is obtained.
Cameras must not face other flats' doors or windows, installation is limited to six months, and they must be removed afterward.
Over the past three years, HDB received about 361 feedback cases on CCTV-related disamenities, and unapproved installations are required to be removed.

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1 Feb 2021

Plan and Timeline to Incorporate Small Scale Upgrading Projects for Clothes Drying Rack and External Electrical Cabling for Public Rental Blocks

Miss Cheryl Chan inquired whether HDB would include small-scale upgrades like clothes drying racks and external electrical cabling in public rental blocks and asked for an implementation timeline.
Desmond Lee confirmed that rental blocks under the Home Improvement Programme receive external clothes drying racks, and older blocks with pipe socket holders are being assessed for replacement with better drying solutions.
HDB has specific upgrading programmes for rental blocks that include external rewiring, with additional rewiring handled by Town Councils’ cyclical maintenance.
HDB is studying further improvements as rental blocks age and will ensure they remain in good condition through ongoing assessments and upgrades.

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1 Feb 2021

Number of Cases of Popping Tiles Rectified by HDB Beyond 15-year Goodwill Repair Duration and Extension of One-off Measure to Cover Flats Whose Warranty Had Expired Since Onset of COVID-19 Pandemic

Ms Yeo Wan Ling asked for the number of popping tile cases rectified by HDB beyond the 15-year goodwill repair duration and the circumstances under which HDB does so.
Ms He Ting Ru inquired about CDC financial assistance applications for dislodged tile repairs in the past three years and whether HDB will absorb costs for flats whose warranty expired since COVID-19.
Minister Desmond Lee stated that flat owners are responsible for maintenance, but HDB repairs tiles for up to 15 years, beyond the industry standard, and older flats must engage private contractors with HDB providing a referral list.
Over the past three years, CDCs provided funding support to 146 households for dislodged tile repairs, and HDB refers residents needing financial aid to community organizations.

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1 Feb 2021

Average Number of Residents in Subsidised HDB Rental Flat and Consideration for Allocation of Adjacent Flat to Bigger Families

The average number of residents in a subsidised HDB rental flat is 2.3.
Most rental households with three or more members live in 2-room flats.
Families with two nuclei, such as grandparents living with parents and children, can apply for two rental flats in the same block subject to vacancies.
On a case-by-case basis, larger families may be offered a 3-room rental flat.

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1 Feb 2021

Statistics on Complaints Received from HDB Residents of Water Seepage from Heavy Downpours, Average Time Taken to Resolve and Causes of Such Incidents

The Minister stated that water seepage in HDB flats is mainly due to wear and tear of external walls and roofing, with issues reported to Town Councils, and that the Ministry does not collate comprehensive data on all cases or their resolution time.
HDB provided specific data for 2011–2015 and 2016–2020: external wall seepage averaged 11 and 15 cases per 1,000 dwelling units, rooftop seepage averaged 1.7 and 1 case per 1,000 units, and inter-unit leaks averaged 104 and 105 cases per 1,000 units.
The Minister noted that HDB works with Town Councils to resolve difficult cases through joint inspections and technical advice but lacks data on seepage incidents before 2008.

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1 Feb 2021

Criteria Used in Regulating Type of Pets Permissible in Public Housing Estates

HDB balances the interests of pet owners and non-pet owners by considering potential disamenities and the living environment when regulating pet types in public housing estates.
Residents are encouraged to be responsible pet owners and to resolve disputes with neighbours through mediation at the Community Mediation Centre if needed.
HDB regularly reviews its pet policies with NParks, taking into account resident feedback to maintain a harmonious living environment.

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1 Feb 2021

Supporting Smoking Ban by Window or Balcony of Residence with Support from Residents

Yip Hon Weng asked if the Ministry will conduct outreach to gauge public support for a smoking ban at residential windows or balconies and collaborate with Town Councils to enact by-laws with resident backing.
Grace Fu Hai Yien stated that a smoking ban inside homes is not a complete solution due to enforcement and privacy challenges, but the Ministry will monitor international practices and engage stakeholders to assess support.
She noted that Town Councils cannot legally pass by-laws to prohibit smoking in private homes under the Town Councils Act.
The government will continue working with agencies, Town Councils, and the community to address secondhand smoke through encouragement of social responsibility and neighborly dialogue.

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1 Feb 2021

Measures to Ensure Second-hand Cigarette Smoke Do Not Affect Other Homeowners who are Non-smokers in Their Own Homes

The government is adopting a multi-pronged approach to address secondhand cigarette smoke in residential areas, combining community engagement, enhanced enforcement, and dispute resolution improvements.
Measures include using visual reminders, thermal cameras for surveillance in corridors, and joint advisories from agencies like NEA and HDB to urge smokers to be considerate and provide cessation support.
Efforts are underway to better integrate smoking disputes into the Community Dispute Management Framework, promoting mediation and conflict resolution between neighbours.
Cessation programmes such as HPB’s 'I Quit 28-day Countdown Programme' and QuitLine counselling are available to support smokers in quitting.
The government emphasizes shared social responsibility, urging smokers to avoid smoking where smoke can affect others and calling on the public to reinforce positive norms.

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1 Feb 2021

Update on Demand and Supply Imbalances of HDB Rental Flats

HDB has about 5,000 vacant rental flats available to meet current demand, and plans to build a small number of new rental flats in the next few years to replace older blocks and renew the stock.
The Fresh Start Housing Scheme has assisted close to 100 second-timer public rental families with young children to own a home again, with additional support available through various grants and guidance teams.
Overall, the supply of rental flats is considered sufficient to meet demand, and efforts are ongoing to maintain and renew the rental flat stock.

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1 Feb 2021

Prerequisites for Remaking our Heartland and Revitalisation of Shops Schemes

The Remaking Our Heartland (ROH) initiative is a multi-agency effort to rejuvenate HDB towns, with neighbourhood centre upgrades focused on community spaces, greenery, and identity, while prioritising works that benefit the broader community.
The Revitalisation of Shops (ROS) scheme targets retailers in HDB town centres, co-funding physical upgrades and promotions, with qualification requiring support from Merchants’ Associations and shop owners, and is currently under review.
ROH and ROS are implemented independently, but HDB coordinates efforts where towns are selected for both schemes to ensure complementary upgrades and a more holistic improvement to the shopping environment.

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1 Feb 2021

Complaints over Construction Quality of HDB Flats

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked for data on complaints about HDB construction quality and the percentage resolved by developers or contractors over the past three years.
Desmond Lee stated that about 90% of defect feedback for BTO flats occurs during the Defects Liability Period, with an average of 2.6 defects per flat reported initially and a sharp decline in subsequent years.
Most defects are minor and fixed within the one-year DLP; post-DLP issues are investigated by HDB, with contractor rectification if due to inherent defects.
For private housing, defect resolution is governed by sale agreements, with MND receiving feedback on about 1% of completed private and EC units over three years, which is forwarded to developers for response.
The government does not directly manage private housing defects but monitors feedback and engages developers when issues are raised.

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1 Feb 2021

Number of Complaints Regarding Ceiling and Water Leakages Received by HDB

HDB received an average of 350 external wall seepage complaints per month in the last three months, slightly lower than 360 cases per month the year before, with residents advised to report such cases to Town Councils.
For ceiling leaks in flats, HDB received about two cases per 1,000 dwelling units monthly over the last three months, similar to the previous year, with repairs typically requiring cooperation between upper and lower-floor flat owners.
Top-floor ceiling leaks are mainly due to roof wear and tear, handled by Town Councils, with HDB providing technical advice when needed.

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1 Feb 2021

Preservation of Dover Forest in Ulu Pandan

Christopher de Souza proposed using vacant and under-utilized plots in Ghim Moh, such as the land next to Ulu Pandan CC and the old RJC campus, to build BTO flats and rejuvenate older estates instead of developing Dover Forest.
He outlined a long-term vision for Ulu Pandan to become a green constituency with a nature loop, preserving Dover Forest and enhancing connectivity via the Rail Corridor and other green spaces.
The Minister of State for National Development acknowledged residents' concerns, noted the site was rezoned for residential use in 2003, and stated that HDB would extend the public consultation period for another four weeks to gather more feedback on the plans for the Ulu Pandan site.

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5 Jan 2021

Number of HDB Units without Direct Lift Access out of 150 HDB Blocks Not Eligible for Lift Upgrading Programme

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked about the number of HDB units without direct lift access in about 150 blocks not eligible for the Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP).
Desmond Lee stated that around 2,000 units, or 20% of flats in these 150 blocks, lack direct lift access due to high costs or technical constraints.
HDB is exploring cost-effective solutions to improve accessibility for residents in these flats.
The Ministry of National Development offers a Lift Access Housing Grant of up to $30,000 to assist residents with mobility issues in acquiring HDB flats with direct lift access.

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5 Jan 2021

Statistics on Terminated Construction Contracts by HDB since February 2020

HDB has terminated two construction contracts since February 2020 with a total contract value of $132 million, specifically for a BTO project and car park improvement works.
Terminations are a last resort and based on factors including project delays, reasons for the delay, and the contractor's ability to complete the work on time.
Common causes for termination include contractor financial difficulties, management disruptions, and lack of manpower or site supervision.

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5 Jan 2021

Complaints Received in Relation to Noise from Neighbours in HDB Estates Since Start of 2020

From January to September 2020, HDB received about 11,400 noise complaints from neighbours, a sharp rise from about 3,600 in the same period in 2019, with monthly cases peaking during the Circuit Breaker period.
The Minister explained that while some noise is inevitable in high-density living, residents are encouraged to show consideration, and HDB promotes mutual tolerance through outreach and partnerships like the Singapore Kindness Movement.
HDB does not plan to set explicit noise limits or enforce strict measures, preferring community-based approaches such as mediation and education to preserve social harmony and neighborly relations.

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5 Jan 2021

Numbers Helped under Partners Engaging and Empowering Rough Sleepers Network

The Partners Engaging and Empowering Rough Sleepers (PEERS) Network has engaged 1,200 individuals since May 2019 through outreach and referrals, with all receiving assistance from agencies such as Family Service Centres and Social Service Offices.
Of those engaged, 251 have moved to longer-term housing, with 142 entering HDB’s Public Rental Scheme while the rest have returned home, moved in with family, or secured alternative accommodation.
HDB works with PEERS partners to assess each case, and some individuals are ineligible for public rental due to property ownership, family housing options, or citizenship criteria, but flexibility is exercised when no other housing options exist.

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5 Jan 2021

Proposal to Allow HDB Rental Tenants to Buy 2-room Flexi Flats with Shorter Lease

Gan Thiam Poh proposed that HDB rental tenants be allowed to buy 2-room Flexi flats with shorter leases at affordable prices, with the option to top up the lease later when finances improve.
Desmond Lee responded that HDB already offers support for rental tenants to own homes, including priority in sales exercises, subsidies, and guidance from the Home Ownership Support Team.
He noted that seniors aged 55 and above, as well as eligible second-timer families with young children under the Fresh Start Housing Scheme, can already buy short-lease 2-room Flexi flats, provided the lease covers them until age 95.

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5 Jan 2021

Purchase of BTO Flats under Assistance for Second-Timer Scheme for Divorced Parents

Don Wee asked about the number of families who purchased HDB BTO flats under the ASSIST scheme for divorced parents over the last three years and whether the qualifying age for children could be raised from 18 to 25 years.
Desmond Lee reported that from 2017 to 2019, 212 second-timer applicants were successful under ASSIST, with 141 booking a flat.
He noted that in 2019, the qualifying age for children under ASSIST was increased from below 16 to 18 years old to benefit more families.
MND and HDB will continue to monitor the scheme’s take-up and regularly review its parameters for relevance.

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4 Jan 2021

Plans for Inclusion of Retractable Laundry Rack in HDB Flats under EASE (Direct Application) Scheme Ahead of Scheduled Home Improvement Programme

Miss Rachel Ong asked if retractable laundry racks can be added to the EASE (Direct Application) scheme ahead of the scheduled Home Improvement Programme.
Minister Desmond Lee explained that EASE currently focuses on simpler safety upgrades and that retractable laundry racks require more complex, block-wide installation, making direct applications inefficient and disruptive.
He noted that including them in EASE would create maintenance issues for Town Councils and that such racks are best installed through the Home Improvement Programme for eligible flats built between 1987 and 1997.
For older flats upgraded under the Main Upgrading Programme, HDB is exploring alternative clothes drying solutions, while residents can currently use indoor free-standing racks.

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