Housing & estates — Topics

3 Feb 2020

Number of Cases of Water Seepage from External Walls of HDB Flats Reported and Addressed in Past Three Years

In the past three years, HDB does not track the number of water seepage cases reported from external walls, as these are managed by Town Councils, which are responsible for common property maintenance.
Residents should report water seepage issues directly to their Town Council, and HDB refers any cases it receives to the relevant Town Council for follow-up.
HDB collaborates with Town Councils to resolve water seepage issues if they encounter difficulties in addressing the problem.

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3 Feb 2020

Annual Number of HDB's Selective En-bloc Redevelopment Scheme Projects in Past 10 Years and Dwelling Units Affected

Over the past 10 years, eight HDB sites have been announced for the Selective En-bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS), affecting about 6,900 sold flats or an average of 690 flats per year.
SERS is limited due to factors such as site redevelopment potential and availability of nearby replacement homes, so few more sites are expected to be eligible.
The government has introduced a new Voluntary Early Redevelopment Scheme (VERS) to systematically redevelop and renew older HDB towns.
The debate highlighted the challenges of implementing SERS, including its compulsory acquisition nature and constraints on site selection.
The exchange focused on the annual breakdown of SERS projects and units affected, as well as the need for alternative renewal strategies.

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3 Feb 2020

Fraudulent Divorce Cases in Past Five Years by Existing Lessees of HDB Flats to Circumvent Minimum Occupation Period or Avoid Buyers' Stamp Duties

Gan Thiam Poh asked if there have been fraudulent divorces by HDB flat lessees in the past five years to circumvent the Minimum Occupation Period or avoid buyers' stamp duties.
Lawrence Wong stated that the courts require valid statutory grounds for divorce and there is no known case of divorces solely for circumventing MOP or avoiding stamp duties.
After a divorce, HDB rules still apply to the matrimonial flat, and parties must meet eligibility conditions to retain or sell it.
If the MOP is unfulfilled and neither party is eligible, the flat must be surrendered to HDB, though special exemptions may be considered for early sale.

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3 Feb 2020

Number of Vehicle Fires Occurring in Housing Estates and Efforts to Educate Vehicle Owners

Joan Pereira asked the Minister for Transport about the number of vehicle fires in housing estates in the past year and how vehicle owners can better spot danger signs for quick remedial action.
Khaw Boon Wan reported that there were 64 vehicle fires in housing estates in 2019, including those in open-air carparks, multi-storey carparks, minor roads, and landed residential units.
To prevent vehicle fires, owners should check for fluid leakage, service their vehicles regularly, and avoid illegal modifications, with additional tips available from SCDF advisories at petrol kiosks, inspection centres, and customer service centres.

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3 Feb 2020

Recorded Offences in Last Three Years for Smoking in Common Corridors and Void Decks of HDB Blocks and of High-rise Littering of Cigarette Butts and Ash

The Senior Minister of State reported that over the past three years, over 11,000 tickets were issued for smoking in HDB common corridors and void decks, while over 2,200 enforcement actions were taken for high-rise littering of cigarette butts and ash from HDB flats.
In response to concerns about persistent smoking in stairwells and corridors, the National Environment Agency has started deploying thermal cameras in residential areas to capture evidence of offences, resulting in over 20 offenders being fined.
No update was provided on measures to address second-hand smoke from private residences, as the government emphasises the need to balance enforcement with privacy concerns and encourages civic-mindedness among residents.

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3 Feb 2020

Ensuring Ageing Private Estates and Commercial Buildings are Properly Maintained

Building owners in Singapore are legally required to maintain their properties, with agencies like BCA, SCDF, EMA, PUB, and NEA enforcing regular inspections and safety standards, and penalties for non-compliance.
The government has existing schemes like the Accredited Managing Agent (AMA) to help quality management agents, but ranks or ratings for managing agents are not feasible as performance depends on specific teams and condo-level management.
Residents can use tools like the OneService app for feedback and manage managing agents through contracts with termination clauses, while agencies provide oversight and can issue notices for maintenance rectifications.

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3 Feb 2020

Review Design of Laundry Pole-holders in HDB Blocks to Make Them Safer for Elderly

Ms Joan Pereira asked about safety improvements for laundry pole-holders in HDB blocks to protect elderly residents and passers-by from falling laundry, especially during strong winds, and inquired about design changes.
Mr Zaqy Mohamad stated that HDB has improved laundry systems over the years, installing external three-bar racks and internal ceiling-mounted racks in new flats to eliminate the need for extending poles from windows.
For older flats, HDB is replacing pipe sockets with T-shaped clothes drying racks via the Home Improvement Programme (HIP), which support both ends of laundry poles to reduce effort and minimize falling risks in windy conditions.
HDB plans to continue reviewing the design of laundry racks to enhance safety and ease of use for residents.
The response highlights HDB's ongoing efforts to address ageing population needs and safety concerns related to laundry drying in HDB blocks.

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3 Feb 2020

Assessing Adequacy of Parking Lots for Delivery Trucks in Multi-storey Carparks in Public Housing Estates or Town Centres

Dennis Tan Lip Fong requested a review to assess and increase parking lots for delivery trucks that cannot access multi-storey carparks due to height limitations in public housing estates and town centres.
The Second Minister for National Development explained that HDB provides loading and unloading bays without height limits near HDB blocks and adjusts the number of bays based on local feedback.
Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked whether the Ministry could consider drivers who may have only one staff or cannot afford to leave someone in the vehicle during deliveries.
The Minister responded that HDB allows flexibility for delivery drivers, whether alone or with colleagues, to use the bays for deliveries, which understandably take time.

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6 Jan 2020

Review of Ban on Keeping of Pet Cats in HDB Flats

Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong asked if the ban on keeping pet cats in HDB flats should be removed and regulated to minimize disamenities for neighbours.
Lawrence Wong explained that HDB must balance the interests of pet lovers and non-pet owners, noting that irresponsible cat ownership can cause issues like shedding, defecation in public areas, and noise.
HDB acknowledges many residents want to keep cats and will continue reviewing pet policies with NParks/Animal & Veterinary Service to address animal welfare and licensing holistically.
The government aims to accommodate pet owners while considering the views of other homeowners, taking a balanced approach to the issue.

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6 Jan 2020

Review of Executive Condominium Scheme for Better Control over Pricing

Gan Thiam Poh suggested that HDB take over the full development of Executive Condominiums to control pricing, rather than selling land to private developers.
Lawrence Wong explained that the EC scheme is designed to offer affordable private housing for higher-income Singaporeans, which is why HDB cannot develop them directly.
The government has implemented measures like income ceilings and minimum occupation periods to keep EC prices about 25% cheaper than private condominiums.
EC buyers also receive CPF Housing Grants, and the government will continue monitoring the scheme to ensure it meets housing aspirations.

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6 Jan 2020

Statistics on Flat Owners Unable to Sell Their Flats within Grace Period after Collection of Keys to New Flats

Gan Thiam Poh asked about the number of flat owners unable to sell their flats within the grace period after collecting keys to new flats and whether this number has increased over the past three years.
Lawrence Wong stated that flat owners have up to six months to sell or transfer their existing flat after collecting keys to a new or resale HDB flat.
He noted that the number of households currently unable to sell within the grace period is around 600, similar to the figure in 2017.

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6 Jan 2020

Cases of Dislodged Tiles in HDB Flats in December 2019

In December 2019, HDB received about 580 reported cases of dislodged tiles, higher than the 2019 monthly average of 247, likely due to colder weather causing tile and substrate contraction and expansion.
Flat owners are responsible for maintenance, but HDB assists with repairs for tiles originally provided within 15 years; beyond that, owners must replace tiles themselves.
HDB provides a list of registered contractors, helps with tile removal, disposal, and protective sheeting, and refers residents needing financial aid to grassroots organizations and CDCs.

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6 Jan 2020

Rationale for Imposing Resale Levy on Those Who Previously Purchased Subsidised HDB Flats and Presently Intend to Buy Executive Condominiums

The debate centers on why a resale levy is imposed on former buyers of subsidized HDB flats who now wish to purchase an Executive Condominium (EC).
The Minister explains that ECs, though built by private developers, come with eligibility and ownership restrictions similar to HDB flats, leading to lower land costs and more affordable prices compared to private condos.
Second-time EC buyers benefit from these subsidized prices, so they are subject to a resale levy to ensure a fairer distribution of housing subsidies compared to first-time buyers.
For those who sold their first subsidized flat before May 19, 1997, and did not pay a graded resale levy at the time, the levy is now applied as a premium on the purchase price of their next subsidized HDB flat or new EC unit.

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6 Jan 2020

Private Estates with Concentrations of Particular Nationalities and Proposal for Ethnic Quotas for Private Estates

Dr Chia Shi-Lu asked which private estates have the highest concentrations of particular nationalities and whether ethnic quotas should be introduced for these estates to promote harmonious integration.
Minister Lawrence Wong noted that central private estates have higher non-citizen proportions due to proximity to workplaces, but such demographics shift frequently, making quotas complex to implement and potentially disruptive to the property market.
The Ministry is instead using urban planning strategies, such as injecting public housing in city centres and spreading jobs outside central areas, to diversify residential populations across Singapore.
Integration efforts are also being advanced through the National Integration Council and community initiatives to foster interactions between Singaporeans and foreigners in neighborhoods, workplaces, and public spaces.

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6 Jan 2020

Proposal to Review Rule for Not Allowing Residents in HDB Flats to Keep Cats

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for National Development about the rationale for not allowing cats in HDB flats and whether the rule is under review.
Lawrence Wong explained that HDB's pet policies balance the interests of pet lovers and non-pet owners, noting that irresponsible cat ownership can cause community disamenities like fur shedding and noise.
HDB recognizes residents' desire to keep cats and will continue reviewing pet policies with NParks/Animal & Veterinary Service to address animal welfare and licensing concerns.
The approach aims to holistically consider all homeowners' views while accommodating pet owners' wishes.

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6 Jan 2020

Number of HDB Flats Allowed to be Sold in Last Two Years before They Reached Minimum Occupation Period

In the last two years, about 2,400 households were approved to sell their HDB flats before meeting the Minimum Occupation Period.
Exceptions were granted due to financial hardship, divorce, or the demise of the owner.
Each case was assessed individually by HDB based on the specific circumstances of the flat owners and their families.

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6 Jan 2020

Appeals by Singaporean Adult Children to Waive CPF Repayment when They withdraw Their Names from Flats Co-owned with Parents

Over the past five years, the CPF Board has received about 200 appeals annually from Singaporean adult children to waive the CPF repayment when they withdraw from co-owning a flat with their parents.
The majority of these appeals are rejected, as CPF savings used for housing must be refunded upon the sale or transfer of the flat to protect members' retirement adequacy.
The CPF Board allows a six-month grace period after taking possession of a new flat for the refund, which can be extended for BTO purchases and can be funded via CPF, HDB, or bank loans.
The CPF Board and HDB work with families on a case-by-case basis to explore alternatives, such as a sibling taking over the flat share or parents rightsizing, but the policy does not currently allow for a full waiver of the CPF repayment.

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6 Jan 2020

Tackling Fault Line Formation from Immigration and Socio-economic Status Trends

The Government has built social cohesion through inclusive policies like ethnic integration in housing, national education, and shared public spaces to foster a unified Singapore identity despite diverse immigrant backgrounds.
It remains vigilant against fault lines from class and immigration issues by promoting lifelong learning, SkillsFuture, and programmes like KidSTART to maintain social mobility and address socio-economic gaps.
Whole-of-society efforts involving businesses, community groups, and individuals are key, with initiatives like UPLIFT, SGCares, and the National Integration Council supporting integration and mutual understanding between locals and foreigners.

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6 Jan 2020

Additional Ballot Chances for New Flats for Those Who Wish to Buy a Flat Near Their Parents But Failed in Previous Attempts

Gan Thiam Poh asked if HDB would grant additional ballot chances to applicants who fail to secure flats in mature estates but wish to live near their parents.
Lawrence Wong responded that priority schemes already support such applicants, but mature estate flats are limited and additional ballot chances cannot be extended.
He noted that families can also consider resale flats and qualify for the Proximity Housing Grant of up to $30,000.

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6 Jan 2020

Impact of HDB's Co-tenancy Policy on Homelessness

Assoc Prof Daniel Goh questioned whether the co-tenancy requirement for public rental flats remains relevant given its potential link to homelessness.
Lawrence Wong explained that the Joint Singles Scheme ensures efficient use of limited land and resources by sharing rental flats, making rent more affordable and providing mutual support for tenants.
HDB offers privacy partitions and mediation services for tenants who face difficulties, and collaborates with other agencies to address homelessness based on individual needs.

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