Housing & estates — Topics

10 Sep 2018

HDB Flats Transferred to Estate of Deceased Owner Who are Also Flats' Owners

Gan Thiam Poh asked for statistics over the past 10 years on HDB flats transferred to the estate of a deceased owner who also owned the flat, including breakdowns by flat type and lease balance, and how many beneficiaries sold such flats.
Lawrence Wong explained that for jointly owned flats, the deceased’s interest passes automatically to the surviving owner, who only needs to lodge a Notice of Death with the Singapore Land Authority; HDB does not track such cases unless assisted.
HDB records show that from 2008 to 2017, there were 1,890 cases where an executor or administrator sold an HDB flat after all owners had passed away.

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10 Sep 2018

What HDB Flat Owners Should Do at Different Life Stages to Ensure a Home for Life and Adequate Nest-egg for Retirement

The Minister outlined strong government support for affordable first-time home ownership through subsidized HDB flats and grants, ensuring young Singaporeans can acquire a home early.
For families with evolving needs, options like upgrading to larger flats or moving closer to relatives are supported by schemes such as the Proximity Housing Grant and property appreciation.
Seniors can use their HDB flat for retirement by unlocking its value through rental, downsizing with the Silver Housing Bonus, or the extended Lease Buyback Scheme for larger flats.
Ongoing government upgrading programmes, like the Home Improvement Programme, will maintain flat safety and value over their lifespan, supporting a home for life.
The Minister encourages Singaporeans to plan their housing choices ahead and work with the government to sustain public housing and home ownership for future generations.

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10 Sep 2018

Amount Spent by HDB in Upgrading Programme for Homeowners in 2017 Compared to 2007

In FY2017, HDB spent about $590 million on upgrading programmes, compared to about $580 million in FY2007.
Approximately 253,000 flats have benefited from the Main Upgrading Programme and Home Improvement Programme (HIP), with an additional 230,000 flats eligible for HIP extension.
Upgrading works, such as lift upgrades and amenities, enhance living convenience and vibrancy, while HIP subsidises maintenance to help maintain flat values as they age.

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10 Sep 2018

Private Developments on Freehold Land Sold as 99-year Leasehold Properties

Miss Cheryl Chan asked about the percentage of private residential properties in Singapore that are developments on freehold land sold as 99-year leasehold properties.
Lawrence Wong responded that as of April 2018, there are about 3,000 such private residential units on freehold and 999-year land sold on shorter leases.
This figure represents about 0.8% of the total stock of private residential properties in Singapore.

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10 Sep 2018

Plans to Encourage Singaporeans to Have More Children

Singapore's total fertility rate fell to a seven-year low of 1.16 in 2017, but the government attributes this partly to a demographic shift with a large cohort of young Singaporeans entering peak childbearing ages, and notes that resident marriages have increased, suggesting potential for future births.
Surveys indicate strong aspirations for marriage and parenthood among young Singaporeans, but many delay these milestones to focus on education and careers, leading to trends of later marriage, later first birth, and smaller families.
The government is enhancing support in key areas: improving housing access through HDB flat launches and flexible loan assessments, expanding affordable preschool places and reviewing subsidies, and strengthening work-life support via enhanced parental leave and flexible work arrangements.

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10 Sep 2018

Measures to Help in the Selling of HDB or Private Properties with Less than 60-year Leases

The Minister confirmed that older HDB and private properties with leases under 60 years can still be sold, and the government is working with the CPF Board to review and provide more flexibility in using CPF funds for such purchases while ensuring retirement adequacy, with details to be shared later.
Elderly homeowners have alternative monetization options, including renting out their properties or selling part of their lease back to HDB under the extended Lease Buyback Scheme, which now includes larger flats to help more seniors unlock value.
Members raised concerns about the current CPF financing restrictions and the low take-up of the Lease Buyback Scheme, and the Minister acknowledged the need for policy reviews, including adjusting CPF proration rules, but noted that implementation may take time due to system updates.

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10 Sep 2018

Lease Decay and Voluntary Early Redevelopment Scheme

The Minister explained that the Voluntary Early Redevelopment Scheme (VERS) will be launched in about 20 years to redevelop older HDB towns, but details on precinct eligibility, compensation, and voting thresholds are still under study and not yet finalized.
VERS is distinct from SERS as it will be voluntary and less generous due to lower land value, with residents voting on each precinct; those not selected will continue living in upgraded flats with options for relocation when their lease ends.
The Government aims to ensure VERS is financially sustainable, will not delay SERS, and will study involving private developers while preserving the character of HDB towns, with a focus on minimizing acrimony during the voting process.

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6 Aug 2018

Inspection Regime for HDB Facades

Joan Pereira asked whether interim inspections could be conducted on HDB facades using the same installation methods as those that had previously failed and whether the mandatory facade inspection regime could be extended to newly built BTO flats.
Lawrence Wong explained that HDB ensures all buildings comply with approved codes and regulations, with inspections during construction and maintenance responsibilities falling to Town Councils under the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act.
The Periodic Facade Inspection regime focuses on buildings over 20 years old and uses a risk-based approach to balance safety and cost, excluding low-rise and private buildings.
In the event of facade dislodgement, BCA and HDB would independently investigate and check similar HDB blocks regardless of building age to address safety concerns.

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6 Aug 2018

Preserving Farrer Park Field and Adjoining Facilities for Sports Heritage

Melvin Yong asked whether the Ministry would preserve Farrer Park Field and adjoining facilities due to their rich sports heritage rather than converting them into residential development.
Lawrence Wong noted the historical significance of Farrer Park Field and adjacent sports facilities from the 1930s–1950s, which served as training grounds for local athletes but have since seen reduced use with newer venues built.
He explained that the area is now considered suitable for housing due to its city proximity and transit access, with current plans to develop it for housing and community facilities including a park.
The Ministry will incorporate elements of the area’s sports heritage into future plans and seek feedback from stakeholders and community partners during detailed planning.

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6 Aug 2018

Design of Lift Lobbies at BTO Blocks Traps Rain

Foo Mee Har asked the Minister for National Development to address the issue of BTO block lift lobbies and walkways being drenched during rain.
Lawrence Wong explained that HDB’s open-concept design for lift lobbies and common corridors promotes natural lighting and ventilation but can lead to splashing during heavy downpours.
HDB uses extended overhangs and graded floors with scupper drains to manage water flow, and may install rain screens based on feedback, though not universally due to ventilation and fire safety requirements.

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6 Aug 2018

Extension of Surveillance Cameras to Private Estates to Prevent High-rise Littering

Liang Eng Hwa asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources to extend surveillance camera deployment to private estates to enforce against high-rise littering and amend legislation to empower NEA accordingly.
The Senior Minister of State, Dr Amy Khor, explained that NEA focuses on fostering collective responsibility and awareness through campaigns and school programs, and that private estates are managed by residents themselves, with NEA’s enforcement limited to publicly accessible places under current law.
Liang Eng Hwa pressed for clarity on why enforcement differs for public versus private estates and whether NEA could assist private estates, while the Minister reiterated that NEA cannot enforce within private estates due to legal restrictions and that amending legislation is not currently planned.

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6 Aug 2018

Main Reasons for Rejection of Applications for HDB Rental Flats

The most common reasons for rejecting HDB rental flat applications are that applicants can afford to buy a flat, have family support, or do not meet citizenship requirements; HDB considers individual circumstances flexibly.
HDB has about 60,000 existing rental flats and 3,000 under construction, and will monitor demand and adjust supply as more families become homeowners.
For non-citizen parents with a Singapore Citizen child, HDB takes a child-centric approach to provide accommodation if no other housing options exist, and for singles unable to find a co-renter, HDB helps find suitable flatmates.

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6 Aug 2018

Changes in Size and Limit to Number of Occupants for HDB Rental Flats

Alex Yam asked about the sizes of HDB rental flats over time and whether new flats are suited for large families, while also inquiring if there are limits on occupants or plans for occupancy standards.
Minister Lawrence Wong explained that rental flats have shifted from 1- to 3-room units before 1982 to only 1- and 2-room flats since 2007, with no plans to limit occupants or impose standards, similar to open-market housing.
The Minister noted that most rental households have four or fewer members, and larger families can apply for two separate flats, though few do due to costs and preference for ownership.
In response to a follow-up, the Minister stated that exact numbers of families applying for two flats are unavailable, but the focus remains on understanding and meeting families' needs through engagement.

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11 Jul 2018

Denial of Lift Upgrading due to Funding Limit

Mr Png Eng Huat asked for an update on HDB blocks denied lift upgrading due to funding caps and whether residents could co-share costs beyond the cap.
The Second Minister for National Development explained that only about 150 blocks remain without lift access, with 70% ineligible due to prohibitive costs exceeding $100,000 per unit, and co-sharing may cause financial hardship.
Mr Png suggested bundling these blocks into a new tender for economies of scale, but the Minister responded that severe site constraints and excessively high costs prevent them from qualifying under the main programme.
The Minister emphasized that HDB continues to explore technical solutions and offers case-by-case assistance for residents with urgent needs, such as medical conditions or disabilities.

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11 Jul 2018

Measures to Keep Cost of Food at Coffee Shops Affordable

Minister Lawrence Wong outlined HDB’s plan to use the Price-Quality Method (PQM) for all coffee shop tenders to prioritize affordable food options, replacing the current e-bidding system.
Er Dr Lee Bee Wah highlighted concerns that e-bidding leads to unsustainable high rents, causing coffee shop closures and inconvenience to residents in Nee Soon South.
The Minister emphasized HDB’s strategy to maintain healthy price competition through sufficient coffee shops in HDB estates and continuous review of tendering mechanisms.

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11 Jul 2018

Eligibility Conditions for Divorcees with Shared Care of Children to Purchase Subsidised HDB Flats

Divorcees with shared care and control of children must obtain written agreement from their ex-spouse to list the child in a flat application, as each child can only be listed in one HDB application to ensure fairness.
HDB will exercise flexibility on a case-by-case basis, especially for parents facing financial hardship or lack of family support, to provide housing options for themselves and their children.
Concerns were raised that the policy may conflict with court-ordered shared care arrangements, creating friction between ex-spouses and hindering divorce resolution, with suggestions to review housing guidance and align policies with court judgments.
HDB notes that shared care and control cases are rare (about 4% of divorce care orders) and will monitor such cases while maintaining independence from Family Court decisions.
Members suggested waiving ex-spousal consent if the other party has moved on by owning private or subsidised housing, with HDB indicating it would consider such cases individually.

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11 Jul 2018

Feedback on Short-term Home Rentals and Prior Approval by Property Owners

The Minister outlined feedback from a public consultation on short-term home rentals, highlighting concerns about safety, security, and privacy, as well as support for regulating platforms through a licensing framework.
A proposed 80% approval threshold from property owners in condominiums before allowing short-term leases sparked mixed reactions, with the Ministry still studying the feedback and emphasizing the current three-month minimum stay rule.
Data showed 1,808 unauthorized rental reports in private residential units and 390 in HDB flats from 2015 to 2017, with investigations taking several months unless detailed evidence is provided.
The Minister addressed concerns about impacts on the hospitality industry and property prices, stressing the need for fair competition and safeguards, while noting enforcement actions are taken against illegal rentals.
There was a call for faster enforcement, with the Minister committing to ensure URA has sufficient resources to handle complaints more expeditiously.

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10 Jul 2018

Ability of HDB Flats to Withstand Decay and Strong Winds and Rain

HDB flats are designed and built with durable materials and conform to strict codes and regulations to withstand strong winds, rain, and structural decay.
Regular inspections, including Periodic Structural Inspections and audits by HDB and Town Councils, are conducted to identify and rectify defects early.
The government acknowledges that no system is foolproof and encourages residents to report issues to help maintain a safe living environment.

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10 Jul 2018

Allowing First-timers to Buy HDB BTO and New Flats without Income Ceiling

Gan Thiam Poh asked whether the government could allow all first-time buyers to purchase HDB BTO and new flats without an income ceiling.
Lawrence Wong explained that the income ceiling ensures housing subsidies go to those who need them most, with current limits covering about 80% of citizen households.
He noted that households earning above $12,000 have other options, such as buying Executive Condominiums or resale HDB flats on the open market.
The debate centers on balancing affordability for lower- and middle-income families against broader housing access for higher earners.
Policy adjustments would require careful consideration to maintain targeted support while addressing differing household needs.

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10 Jul 2018

Increasing Incidents of Fires Involving Personal Mobility Devices

Saktiandi Supaat inquired about measures to address fires involving personal mobility devices, enhance fire safety for estates with many elderly residents, and the possibility of installing sprinklers in new BTO estates.
Lawrence Wong stated that HDB blocks are designed to meet fire safety codes and have features like concrete walls and fire-rated doors to contain fires, with regular reviews and upgrades for older blocks.
He noted that sprinklers are required only in specific HDB areas like car parks and communal facilities, and the SCDF does not currently mandate sprinklers in residential units.
Emphasizing prevention, he advised residents to buy PMDs from reputable sources and avoid battery overcharging or tampering, while the LTA studies safety requirements for motorised PMDs.

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