Housing & estates — Topics

6 Aug 2019

Statistics on Divorcees Who Failed to Comply with Court Orders to Sell Their Matrimonial Flats Within Stipulated Time

Mr. Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked for statistics on divorcees who failed to sell their matrimonial flats within court-ordered timeframes over the past five years.
Minister K. Shanmugam stated that no agency tracks compliance with court-ordered sale timelines or the time taken to complete such sales.
He explained that extensions of time require court applications and that HDB processes sales only if parties agree, depending on court order terms.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

6 Aug 2019

Fire-rated Doors for HDB Rental Flats Given Recent Boon Lay Fire

Patrick Tay asked whether all HDB rental flats have fire-rated doors after the Boon Lay fire, and the Minister confirmed that HDB rental flats have fire-rated entrance doors only where required by the Fire Code, which considers corridor ventilation and other fire safety features like hose reels and rising mains.
The Minister highlighted that HDB, SCDF, and PA are working together to provide free Home Fire Alarm Devices (HFADs) in all public rental flats by end-2021 to alert residents early.
Patrick Tay suggested installing fire-rated doors in every unit beyond the Fire Code, and the Minister responded that SCDF sets the standards as fire specialists and HDB will explore with them if additional measures are needed.
Louis Ng supported the call for fire-rated doors on all units and suggested offering them as an option during Home Improvement Programme (HIP) showrooms, and the Minister reiterated that SCDF is the authority on fire safety and HDB will ensure compliance with their standards.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Aug 2019

Number of HDB Occupiers Unable to Make Claims under Home Protection Scheme in Last Three Years Due to Lapse of Policy

From 2016 to 2018, 20 HDB flat owners were unable to claim under the Home Protection Scheme (HPS) because their policies had lapsed.
Measures to prevent lapse include automatic premium deduction from CPF Ordinary Account, use of co-owners' CPF savings, and a two-month grace period with reminders from CPF Board.
If coverage lapses, CPF Board continues to send biannual reminders for re-application, and HDB can assist affected families with mortgage relief or downsizing options.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Aug 2019

Statistics on BTO Flats Purchased under Single Singapore Citizen Scheme

Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong asked how many Singaporeans have bought BTO flats under the Single Singapore Citizen Scheme since its inception and how many later married, with breakdowns by gender.
Lawrence Wong stated that about 20,100 Singaporeans have booked a 2-room or 2-room Flexi flat under the scheme since July 2013, with roughly equal proportions of male and female buyers.
Among these flat buyers, about 440 subsequently registered a marriage in Singapore, with approximately 80% being male.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Aug 2019

Plans to Reduce Negative Impact of Climate Change on Older HDB Flats

Chong Kee Hiong asked whether new technologies from HDB's research collaborations with Evonik and V-Key could be adapted for older flats or what plans exist to reduce climate change impacts if retrofitting is not viable.
Lawrence Wong responded that the collaborations are in early stages, and if viable, HDB will explore incorporating the technologies into new designs and potentially retrofitting existing blocks, considering technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness.
HDB has already implemented measures like optimizing natural ventilation, orienting blocks to reduce heat gain, and increasing greenery to ensure comfortable living environments.
HDB will continue studying ways to mitigate climate change impacts on flats, with a focus on both new and existing HDB blocks.
The response emphasizes a balanced approach of exploring new technologies while maintaining current measures, without committing to specific timelines for older flat replacements.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Aug 2019

Training and Accreditation for Home Defect Inspectors

Chong Kee Hiong asked about measures to ensure home defect inspectors are adequately trained and accredited, and whether BCA will introduce a licensing framework for the profession.
Lawrence Wong explained that BCA promotes quality through the CONQUAS and QM schemes, which assess structural, architectural, and mechanical works as well as internal finishes.
He noted that home buyers can use CONQUAS and QM scores as benchmarks for quality but that private defect inspectors are not regulated or licensed by BCA.
BCA’s focus is on implementing tighter quality controls at the start of the building process rather than licensing defect inspectors.
The response emphasized that quality assurance is primarily achieved through existing industry schemes rather than direct regulation of inspectors.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Aug 2019

Further Action against Residents who Refuse to Take Part in Mediation to Resolve Neighbourly Disputes

Most neighbour disputes are resolved through community help or formal mediation, with the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunal (CDRT) as a last resort for intractable cases.
HDB intervenes when disputes involve breaches of common property rules or pose a danger to others, escalating to relevant agencies or Town Councils for enforcement.
An inter-agency taskforce addresses hoarding behaviour to minimise disamenities to neighbours.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Aug 2019

Use of Solar Panels and Solar Power by Households

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked the Minister for Trade and Industry about the number of households with solar panels, their contribution to the national grid, and the resulting carbon emission reduction, as well as the status of a blockchain-enabled platform for selling renewable energy and its potential extension to the open market.
Minister Chan Chun Sing reported about 950 private residential and over 1,400 HDB rooftop solar installations, contributing 0.16% of electricity generation and reducing carbon emissions by 35 kilotonnes annually, with a blockchain REC Marketplace launched for businesses and plans to extend it to households later.
The government is encouraging solar adoption through simplified grid sales processes, commercial arrangements with retailers, and HDB tenders for over 5,500 blocks, actively working to maximize solar energy use given Singapore's land constraints and geographic conditions.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Aug 2019

Selectively Allowing Single Parent and Child to Rent HDB Flats

The Ministry clarified that single parents aged 21 and above with their child can apply directly for an HDB rental flat without needing an appeal, and their eligibility is assessed holistically based on affordability, available family space, and other circumstances.
An applicant’s ability to afford alternative housing is evaluated by considering their income, age, CPF and cash savings, past home ownership, and housing budget, rather than relying on a fixed income threshold.
HDB does not expect siblings to house single parents and focuses on the immediate family’s living situation, such as whether the parent and child have a spare room in their own home.
The Ministry stated that while a household income of $1,500 is a rough guideline for rental flat applications, exemptions are granted based on individual circumstances, and there is no rigid rule for single parents.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Aug 2019

Extension of HDB Repair Services to Support Elderly or Less Mobile Residents in Non-rental Flats

Saktiandi Supaat asked whether HDB repair services could be expanded to help elderly or less mobile residents living alone in non-rental flats with home issues like power trips.
The Minister for National Development responded that flat owners are responsible for repairs, but assistance is available via Town Councils, HDB referrals, and community groups like CDCs and grassroots organizations.
Saktiandi followed up, noting an increase in elderly residents living alone in his constituency and asked if services for rental flats could be extended to vulnerable homeowners.
The Minister reiterated the principle of owner responsibility, explaining that while rental flats are maintained by HDB, sold flat owners can use existing support schemes, with HDB facilitating help within the current framework.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

8 Jul 2019

Amount Budgeted for Cost of Home Improvement Programme for Hougang SMC for Completed and Upcoming Works

The budget for the Home Improvement Programme (HIP) in Hougang SMC for selected flats is approximately $160 million.
Flats built between 1987 and 1997 will be selected for HIP starting next year.
Town Councils will be invited to nominate these flats for the enhanced HIP announced in August 2018.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

8 Jul 2019

Applications from Single Unwed Parents for HDB Flat under Public Rental Scheme in Past Five Years

Mr. Louis Ng asked the Minister for National Development for data over the past five years on the number of single unwed parents applying for HDB rental flats, those approved without an appeal, and those approved after an appeal.
Minister Lawrence Wong replied that since 2014, 1,014 requests from single unwed parents to rent public rental flats were received, with 380 approved, while the rest were assessed as having alternative housing options.
The Minister stated that each application is reviewed holistically, considering individual circumstances and family support, with input from social workers when needed.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

8 Jul 2019

Number of Single Unwed Parents under 35 Years Old Applying to Buy a Flat from HDB in Past Five Years

Mr. Louis Ng asked for annual data over the past five years on applications, successful ballots without appeals, and successful ballots after appeals from single unwed parents under 35 for HDB flats.
Minister Lawrence Wong reported that 121 requests were received from single unwed parents under 35 to apply for a 2-room Flexi flat since 2014, with 28 granted flexibility to apply after individual reviews.
The Minister stated that among those who applied, HDB uses a computer ballot for queue order, and annual figures from 2014 to May 2019 were provided in a table.
The government reviews each request holistically, using social worker input, to provide housing assistance to single unwed parents and their children.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

8 Jul 2019

Number of Successful First-Time Applicants in BTO and Sale of Balance Flats Exercise in Past Two Years

MP Gan Thiam Poh requested data on first-time applicants who successfully secured HDB flats through BTO and SBF exercises over the past two years, broken down by the number of attempts, and asked about the effectiveness of additional ballot chances for failed attempts.
Minister Lawrence Wong provided a table detailing successful first-timer families in BTO and SBF exercises over the past two years, noting that non-mature estate BTO applicants who failed twice receive an additional ballot chance for subsequent non-mature estate applications.
The minister stated that among first-timer families applying for BTO flats in non-mature estates over the past two years, all were successful by their third attempt.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

8 Jul 2019

Complaints of Foreign Tenants in HDB Estates

Miss Cheng Li Hui asked HDB about the number, nature, and follow-up of complaints involving foreign tenants in HDB estates over the last five years, and whether measures exist to help first-time foreign tenants acclimatise to local norms.
Lawrence Wong stated that HDB received about 3,300 feedback cases from 2014 to 2018 on issues like unauthorised rentals, disamenities, and overcrowding, with investigations leading to warnings, penalties, or flat acquisition depending on severity.
HDB promotes gracious living through volunteer networks, community events, and awards, while other agencies like the People’s Association and National Integration Council also assist foreigners in understanding local laws, norms, and culture.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

8 Jul 2019

Reporting and Resolution of Neighbour Dispute Cases

Since 2014, HDB has received about 15,600 neighbour dispute cases, averaging 2,800 annually, but lacks data on how many were resolved privately.
Disputes can be mediated by the Community Mediation Centre (CMC), which handles 40–50 cases yearly with over 70% success, or referred to the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals for more stubborn cases.
For persistent harassment, residents can apply for a Protection Order through the courts, and authorities encourage mutual respect to prevent disputes.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

8 Jul 2019

Designated Areas for Recycling Bins at HDB Blocks

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Ministry to consider having designated areas for recycling bins at each HDB block and a waste bin beside each recycling bin to reduce contamination.
The Ministry and NEA are making recycling more convenient by providing recycling bins at every HDB block and installing recycling chutes in new BTO flats since 2014.
NEA is working with Public Waste Collectors and Town Councils to demarcate recycling bin locations and ensure sufficient general waste bins are available.
The Ministry and NEA have launched the #RecycleRight campaign to educate the public on proper recycling and reduce contamination, including redesigning bin labels for clarity.
These initiatives are part of the Year Towards Zero Waste to improve recycling rates and promote sustainable waste management practices.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

8 Jul 2019

Gas Leak Cases in HDB Flats

In the past three years, there were 3,698 gas leak cases in HDB flats, representing 0.15% of all HDB flats with town gas pipes annually, mainly due to loose appliance connections, corroded pipes, or damaged appliances.
Gas pipes and appliances must be installed and tested by a licensed gas service worker before use, and PowerGas inspects gas pipes within HDB flats every 15 years for leaks or defects.
Town gas is odorized for easier leak detection, and residents can contact emergency hotlines or PowerGas’s 24-hour line for a response team to arrive within an hour.
The Energy Market Authority and PowerGas conduct regular public awareness campaigns on gas safety and how to respond to suspected leaks.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

8 Jul 2019

Motorcycle Owners being Summoned for Illegal Parking at Carparks or Service Roads

Mr Zainal Sapari asked whether there has been an increasing trend of motorcycle owners being summoned for illegal parking at carparks or service roads in the last three years and whether HDB should provide designated motorcycle parking lots near loading and unloading bays for delivery riders.
Minister Lawrence Wong stated that parking offence notices issued to motorcyclists at HDB estates were around 25,000 in 2016, 28,000 in 2017, and 21,000 in 2018, with no clear increasing trend.
The Minister explained that motorcyclists making home deliveries should use the existing loading and unloading bays for quick activities, so no additional motorcycle lots are needed.
HDB does not plan to provide designated motorcycle parking lots next to loading and unloading bays near HDB flats, as the current facilities are sufficient for delivery riders' short-term parking needs.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

8 Jul 2019

Preventing Singapore Residential Properties from Being Leased on Websites like Airbnb

Mr Chong Kee Hiong asked the Minister for National Development about measures to prevent Singapore residential properties from being listed on websites like Airbnb for short-term leases that are legally prohibited.
Lawrence Wong explained that enforcement focuses on investigating suspected illegal short-term accommodation cases rather than just targeting listings, with URA increasing investigations and imposing fines of up to $5,000 for first-time offenders and prosecuting repeat offenders.
The Ministry noted that since May 2019, URA has issued seven composition fines and secured four court convictions for illegal short-term accommodation activities.
Estate agents found complicit in such activities face separate penalties from the Council for Estate Agencies, including revocation of registration and debarment.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source