Housing & estates — Topics

5 Oct 2020

Extending Remission of Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty to Singles Purchasing Second Property vis-a-vis Married Couples

Sitoh Yih Pin questioned why single buyers of a second property do not qualify for the Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) remission that married couples receive when changing homes and asked if this could be extended to singles.
Heng Swee Keat explained that ABSD aims to moderate demand and stabilize the property market, applying to all Singaporeans’ second property purchases regardless of whether they sell their first home.
The only exception is for married couples, who can claim an ABSD refund if they sell their first property within six months, due to changing family needs like having children.
The Minister stated that this concession is not available to other groups, including singles, to maintain the policy’s objective of controlling demand for second residential properties.
Buyers seeking to avoid higher ABSD on a second property are advised to sell their first property before making the new purchase.

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5 Oct 2020

Complaints about Smoking, Second-hand Smoke and Cigarette Butt Littering at HDB Estates

Complaints about smoking, second-hand smoke, and cigarette butt littering in HDB estates increased by 50% over the past six months, reaching about 21,000 cases, likely due to more residents working from home.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) employs a multi-pronged approach including education, surveillance with thermal cameras, and enforcement, resulting in over 8,400 enforcement actions in the past six months.
While NEA has enhanced its capabilities, it emphasizes that constant monitoring of all areas is not feasible, urging smokers to be considerate and the public to help reinforce social norms.

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5 Oct 2020

Grace Period for Parking at HDB and URA Car Parks and Other Measures to Help Food Delivery Riders

HDB and URA car parks currently offer a 10-minute grace period, which was temporarily extended to 20 minutes during the Circuit Breaker period to accommodate increased delivery activity.
The grace period has reverted to 10 minutes as demand has normalized, with officials noting that a shorter period ensures quick turnover, reduces congestion, and protects the interests of residents.
Designated loading and unloading bays are available at HDB blocks for delivery riders to use for pick-ups and drop-offs.
Authorities will continue monitoring car park usage and the needs of delivery riders to review the grace period as necessary.
The measures aim to balance convenience for food delivery riders with the need to maintain efficient car park operations for all users.

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5 Oct 2020

Proposal for Automatic or Sensor-activated Taps and Flushing Systems at Hawker Centres

Joan Pereira proposed replacing screw taps and manual flushing systems with automatic or sensor-activated alternatives in hawker centre toilets, citing COVID-19 concerns.
Grace Fu Hai Yien noted that sensor-operated taps and flushing systems are already mandated for new developments and installed in 25 of 33 MSE-owned hawker centres, with plans to retrofit the remaining centres during renovations.
The government is encouraging Town Councils to adopt sensor-operated systems in HDB-owned hawker centres and is providing co-funding through the Toilet Improvement Programme to support these upgrades.

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5 Oct 2020

Impact of Work-from-home Practices on Design of HDB Flats

Minister Desmond Lee explained that HDB flats are designed for functionality and flexibility, with features like large windows, open kitchens, and columns pushed to edges to allow residents to reconfigure spaces, including for work, through renovations or creative furnishing.
HDB is studying how to better support telecommuting, with smart-enabled homes being trialed in Punggol Northshore and Tengah, and broadband Wi-Fi already available in all flats to facilitate working from home.
Communal spaces like Community Living Rooms in void decks and Community Clubs are available with basic amenities such as charging points and Wi-Fi, and co-working spaces are offered at public libraries for additional needs.
HDB will monitor trends to convert existing communal spaces into workspaces and plan for workspaces in future community facilities.
The response indicates that HDB's design approach prioritises resident flexibility and is evolving to incorporate telecommuting support based on observed trends.

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5 Oct 2020

Take-up Rates in HDB's Open Booking Exercises for New Flats

Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked for statistics on successful HDB flat applicants under open booking, those who declined flat selection, any unselected flats, and whether more open bookings would be offered.
HDB reported that since June 2019, about 10,500 applications were received, with over 1,000 applicants booking flats, while 9,500 did not.
During the August 2020 suspension, 36 units remained unselected, which is less than 5% of the flats available, and these were later made available for viewing and resumption of applications.
HDB has been taking steps to increase flats available for open booking, such as ending the Re-Offer of Balance Flats exercises, and will continue refining processes to meet home seekers’ needs.

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5 Oct 2020

Smart Sensors for Lightings at Common Areas and Parks

Patrick Tay Teck Guan asked if smart light sensors can be installed in all common areas, parks, and the environment to automatically turn on lights instead of manually adjusting timings.
Desmond Lee explained that HDB has already implemented the Smart Lighting System (SLS) in public housing developments since May 2018, using sensors to automatically activate lights in indoor and outdoor common areas during low ambient lighting.
NParks is piloting ambient light sensors at the Singapore Botanic Gardens and will assess wider park implementation based on the trial's outcomes.
Agencies plan to extend the SLS to existing estates under the HDB Green Towns Programme and continue exploring new technologies for sustainability.

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5 Oct 2020

Proposal to Ramp Up Construction of HDB Flats as Families Become More Financially Prudent Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic

Kwek Hian Chuan Henry proposed that HDB ramp up construction of flats, especially in mature estates, and reduce condo developments as families become more financially cautious during COVID-19.
Desmond Lee explained that housing supply is carefully planned through BTO and GLS programmes, with HDB increasing BTO flat supply to about 16,700 units this year, including a mix in mature and non-mature estates.
He noted that for mature estates with high demand, buyers can consider resale flats with grants of up to $160,000, and private housing supply has been reduced due to COVID-19 impacts.
The government will continue monitoring COVID-19 effects on the housing market and adjust public and private housing supplies accordingly.

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5 Oct 2020

Wireless@SG Hotspots for HDB Rental Blocks to Ensure Minimum Level of Internet Connectivity

Leon Perera asked if Wireless@SG hotspots can be rolled out in HDB rental blocks to provide a minimum internet connectivity level for residents who cannot afford subsidized plans under the Home Access 3.0 programme.
S Iswaran responded that the government prefers the Home Access scheme, which offers heavily subsidized broadband at $9 per month for HDB rental households, as a more targeted and practical solution than deploying Wireless@SG at these blocks.
The Home Access scheme provides further discounts for ComCare recipients at $6 per month and free broadband for households with school-going children or persons with disabilities under the NEU PC Plus programme, with applications handled through IMDA and Social Service Offices.

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5 Oct 2020

Protection Against Second-hand Smoke in our Homes

Louis Ng highlighted the severe health risks of second-hand smoke, citing WHO data and personal anecdotes, and proposed banning smoking near HDB windows and balconies to protect non-smokers, especially vulnerable groups.
The government acknowledged the public health concern but rejected the ban due to enforcement challenges, privacy intrusions, and the preference for a three-pronged approach focusing on social responsibility, neighborly mediation, and improving dispute resolution.
Ng argued the issue is a public health crisis, not just a neighborly dispute, and suggested using existing surveillance technology for enforcement, while the government maintained that current methods are insufficient and privacy concerns remain significant.

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4 Sep 2020

Number of Requests for Assistance with Rent Payments under HDB Public Rental Scheme and Plans to Consider Temporary Rent Freeze

From January to July 2020, HDB received an average of 370 monthly requests for rent assistance, reduced rents for 325 households per month, and placed 1,470 households per month on ComCare rent assistance.
Public rental rates are highly subsidized, not raised during a tenancy term, and can be lowered if household income falls, with rents reviewed only at renewal every two to three years.
Tenants facing difficulties are advised to approach their local HDB Branch for assistance, and HDB will continue monitoring to ensure households in need receive support.

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4 Sep 2020

Proposal to Bring Forward Schedule for Building Hawker Centre in Bukit Batok HDB Town

Murali Pillai proposed accelerating the construction of the Bukit Batok hawker centre from the 2027 schedule to address population growth and stabilize local food prices.
Grace Fu Hai Yien explained that the hawker centre is planned to be co-located with assisted living flats, with timelines coordinated between NEA and HDB.
She added that further details and completion dates will be announced once finalized, and engagement with the local adviser will continue.
The Ministry noted that new coffee shops have already been added by HDB alongside new flats to meet residents’ dining needs.

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4 Sep 2020

Number of Cases of Neighbour Disputes Arising from Second-hand Cigarette Smoke Mediated Successfully in Past Two Years

Mr. Louis Ng asked for data on neighbour disputes due to second-hand cigarette smoke mediated successfully by HDB and the Community Mediation Centre (CMC), cases filed with the Community Disputes Resolutions Tribunals (CDRT), and changes after the circuit breaker period.
Between January 2019 and July 2020, 71 cases were registered with the CMC, with six successful mediations out of nine that proceeded, while about two-thirds did not proceed due to non-response or refusal.
During and after the circuit breaker, CMC cases increased from an average of two to eight monthly, while CDRT saw 25 smoke-related claims filed with no significant change post-circuit breaker.
Mediation at the CMC is voluntary and has limitations, such as low uptake and non-binding decisions, leading some to skip mediation and go directly to court for binding orders.
The government acknowledges ongoing challenges with unresolved disputes and plans to review the community dispute resolution framework to enhance its effectiveness.

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4 Sep 2020

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Designs for Future HDB Flats

Chong Kee Hiong asked if the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced future HDB flat designs, particularly for work-from-home spaces, and if not, whether HDB would consider such factors.
Desmond Lee highlighted that HDB flats are already designed for flexibility and functionality, with features like large windows, open kitchens, and reconfigurable layouts, which proved useful during the circuit breaker.
HDB is studying how future flat designs can support work-from-home trends, with existing features like Wi-Fi readiness and smart home trials in Punggol and Tengah to be incorporated if feasible.
HDB continues to enhance living environments with greenery, fitness amenities, and nearby commercial services to provide respite and encourage healthy lifestyles.
Public views are being gathered through the Emerging Stronger Conversations to improve public housing designs to meet evolving resident needs.

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4 Sep 2020

Measures to Mitigate Disamenities from Second-hand Cigarette Smoke in Residential Areas

The government encourages smokers to exercise social responsibility and for communities to reinforce social norms to prevent second-hand smoke from affecting neighbours in HDB flats.
The National Environment Agency, Town Councils, and HDB advise smokers to be considerate, while community leaders and the Community Mediation Centre help resolve disputes, with the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunal as a last resort.
There is no known information on condominiums implementing bans on smoking at balconies or windows, with a past case showing mixed resident reactions leading to no formal ban.

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4 Sep 2020

Criteria and Appeals for Early Graduation from Home Ownerhsip Plus Education Scheme

Ms Raeesah Khan asked the Minister for Social and Family Development for the number of families and widowed or divorced mothers who have appealed for early graduation from the Home Ownership Plus Education (HOPE) Scheme since 2004 and the approval rate of these appeals.
Ms Raeesah Khan also asked the Minister what criteria families and widowed or divorced mothers under the HOPE Scheme need to meet to graduate early, as the scheme supports low-income families with small households through various subsidies and incentives until the mother turns 45, with early withdrawal possible.
The Minister explained that early graduation is allowed for families who wish to have more than two children if their monthly household income exceeds $4,000 and both spouses have sustained employment for at least five years; since 2004, four out of five appeals were approved, with one divorced client denied for not meeting the criteria.

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4 Sep 2020

COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Amendment No 2) Bill

The Bill introduces technical amendments to streamline COVID-19 relief implementation, including expanding rental relief assessors’ powers to determine rent waiver amounts and clarifying late interest caps.
It aligns the COVID-19 Act with the Security of Payment Act, allowing adjudicators to adjust construction contracts for fairness and preventing parallel legal proceedings.
The Bill extends alternative virtual meeting arrangements for companies and charities until June 2021, with consideration for longer-term digital adoption.
Amendments grant registrars discretionary power to reject incomplete or frivolous applications, improving efficiency while maintaining fairness.
The Minister is empowered to extend collective sale deadlines case-by-case if impacted by COVID-19, with applications evaluated for genuine material impact.

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3 Sep 2020

Housing and Development (Amendment) Bill

The Housing and Development (Amendment) Bill seeks to amend the Housing and Development Act to update and refine existing housing regulations and procedures.
It also includes a consequential amendment to the Supreme Court of Judicature (Amendment) Act 2019 to align with the changes made in the housing legislation.
The bill was presented by the Senior Minister of State for National Development on behalf of the Minister, and it has been read for the first time with a second reading scheduled for the next parliamentary sitting.

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24 Aug 2020

Ministry of National Development

The Ministry will help the construction sector restart and transform through technology, digitalisation, and skills training to improve productivity and create better jobs.
It will ensure housing affordability and stability by assisting affected households, minimizing BTO flat delays, and catering to diverse needs, including seniors, low-income families, and multigenerational households.
The Ministry aims to make towns more liveable and inclusive by upgrading estates, developing "Healthy Towns," and enhancing community engagement for resident-driven rejuvenation.
A key focus is transforming Singapore into a "City in Nature" by protecting nature areas, greening buildings and infrastructure, and reducing HDB town energy consumption by 15% by 2030.
It will partner the community and industry on long-term projects like the Rail Corridor, Greater Southern Waterfront, and Jurong Lake District to create sustainable, vibrant spaces for future generations.

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5 Jun 2020

Installation of Metal Window Grilles for HDB Flats to Enhance Safety for Young Children and Elderly

Joan Pereira asked if the Ministry would install metal window grilles in both owned and rental HDB flats to improve safety for young children and the elderly.
Lawrence Wong stated that HDB does not provide window grilles as a standard feature in its flats, as not all households need them.
He explained that flat owners who require grilles can purchase them from the market based on their preferences and budget.
For rental tenants, HDB will install window grilles on external facade windows at no cost upon request.
Tenants can approach HDB to request the installation of window grilles.

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