Housing & estates — Topics

5 Feb 2018

Mitigating Waterfall Effect Due to Roof Structures on Sheltered Walkways outside Buildings

Mr Chong Kee Hiong asked the Minister for National Development whether the Ministry will redesign roof structures on sheltered walkways outside buildings to reduce the waterfall effect during heavy rain and strong winds.
Minister Lawrence Wong explained that sheltered walkways are designed to provide cover while allowing light and ventilation, with considerations for functionality and maintenance, such as effective width-to-height ratios and roof slopes.
HDB's sheltered walkways are designed to be self-cleansing and avoid gutters to prevent debris buildup and mosquito breeding, using roof slopes to direct water away from pedestrian areas.
Recent designs by HDB and LTA feature sloped roofs to one side to ensure rainwater discharge occurs where pedestrians are less likely to cross.
The relevant agencies will consider the feedback and continue studying how to improve infrastructure designs.

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5 Feb 2018

Reasons for Sharp Increase in Popping Floor Tiles at Some HDB Flats

A sharp rise in popping floor tiles in some HDB flats was reported in early 2018, primarily due to unusual cold weather causing differential thermal expansion and contraction, with nearly half involving owner-installed tiles from renovations.
HDB provides goodwill repairs for tile dislodgement for up to 15 years, beyond which residents must self-fund replacements, though HDB offers assistance with removal, disposal, and access to a list of contractors for reasonable rates.
MP Liang Eng Hwa raised concerns about possible batch quality issues and the high repair costs ($5,000–$10,000) for lower-income households, suggesting HDB consider financing schemes and flexible goodwill extensions.
The Minister responded that HDB will investigate specific clusters if flagged and directed financially struggling residents beyond the 15-year period to seek help from Community Development Councils or grassroots organisations for potential aid.

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10 Jan 2018

Measures to Control Wild Bird Populations in HDB Estates

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore uses a multi-pronged approach, including working with Town Councils on deterrents like gels and fogging, pruning trees, and ensuring proper food waste disposal to control wild bird populations in HDB estates.
The government has considered sonic systems like those used at airports but notes they are temporary, loud, and less suitable for dense residential areas, with no plans for immediate adoption.
The Senior Minister of State emphasized that public behavior, such as not feeding birds or littering, is crucial, as birds are attracted to food sources and technology alone cannot solve the issue.
Mr. Gan Thiam Poh highlighted specific challenges in his constituency, including birds entering homes, and asked about alternative tree types or newer methods, with the government open to exploring science-based solutions and tree species adjustments.
The government stressed the importance of cost-effectiveness and public cooperation, with ongoing education and enforcement against uncivil behaviors like high-rise littering to address the root causes of bird attraction.

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10 Jan 2018

HDB Flats Foreclosed and Put on Auction due to Mortgage Defaults in Last Five Years

Between January 2013 and November 2017, 118 HDB flats were foreclosed and sold through mortgagee sales by banks due to payment defaults.
HDB does not buy back flats from owners and has no records of such requests, but flat owners who meet the minimum occupation period can sell their flats on the open market.
HDB facilitates open market sales by publishing transaction data on its website and providing a resale checklist, but does not intervene in the actual sale process.
During the same period, 6% of open market HDB flat sales resulted in insufficient proceeds to fully refund the sellers' CPF accounts.

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10 Jan 2018

Review Minimum Age for Lease Buyback Scheme for Flat owners With Serious Medical Conditions

Dr Tan Wu Meng asked whether HDB could lower the minimum age for the Lease Buyback Scheme for flat owners with serious medical conditions that reduce life expectancy.
The Minister for National Development explained that the age 65 requirement aligns with the CPF Payout Eligibility Age for monthly CPF payouts.
He noted that HDB already exercises flexibility on a case-by-case basis for households with exceptional medical or financial circumstances.

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9 Jan 2018

Dealing with Pest Infestation or Overgrown Tree Problems in Landed Housing Estates

Residents facing pest or tree issues from neighboring neglected properties should first seek resolution through community channels like Neighbourhood Committees.
If unresolved, NEA and NParks can inspect, issue orders, and impose fines up to $20,000 for non-compliance, with entry permitted for immediate threats.
Authorities may enter premises to address urgent public health or safety risks, with costs recoverable from the occupier.

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9 Jan 2018

Application of Subsidised Flats for Divorcees with Joint Custody of Children

Louis Ng asked whether divorcees with joint custody can apply for subsidised flats without their ex-spouse’s consent, the number of such approvals over three years, and the criteria used.
Lawrence Wong said within three years of divorce, joint-custody parents may apply without consent only if they have sole care and control and all children are under 18.
For those not meeting these conditions, flexibility can be granted case by case, and HDB granted over 200 such waivers in the last three years due to financial hardship or lack of family support.

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9 Jan 2018

Criteria for Single Unwed Parents to Be Allowed to Buy or Rent Flats from HDB

Lawrence Wong explained that unmarried parents aged 21 and above can apply to buy or rent an HDB flat with their parents, with encouragement to live together for mutual support, though flexibility is granted on a needs-basis for those without family support, subject to singles' eligibility criteria like a $6,000 income ceiling.
HDB assesses housing options by reviewing the applicant's housing budget based on income, CPF savings, and estimated living expenses to determine affordability for other housing alternatives.
The criteria for single unwed parents under 35 to buy or rent flats include meeting general singles' eligibility, with appeals considered based on family support needs and financial assessments rather than fixed objective criteria for living with parents.

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9 Jan 2018

Residents who have benefited from Enhancement for Active Seniors Programme

Close to 149,000 households have benefited from the Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) programme since its launch in July 2012.
The programme partners with healthcare professionals to provide modifications such as ramps, grab bars, and slip-resistant bathroom floors to reduce fall risks for seniors.
HDB regularly reviews EASE with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to enhance the package, including trials for smart sensors and alarms in Yuhua estate.

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9 Jan 2018

Transparency of Racial Quota under Ethnic Integration Policy during Selling and Buying of HDB Flats

Mr Zainal Sapari questioned the transparency of the Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP) in HDB flat transactions, assistance for sellers unable to sell due to EIP limits, and flexibility for cases with no suitable ethnic buyers.
The Minister for National Development affirmed that the EIP ensures a balanced ethnic mix to promote social cohesion and is applied fairly and transparently through monthly updates on the HDB InfoWEB platform.
Most sellers can find eligible buyers, and HDB provides extensions and pricing advice to those struggling, while also exercising flexibility for mixed-ethnicity households or exceptional circumstances.

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9 Jan 2018

Ensuring Compliance with Ethnic Integration Policy when HDB Flats are Rented Out

Rahayu Mahzam questioned how HDB ensures the Ethnic Integration Policy is followed when flats are rented out, what rules exist, and whether checks are conducted.
Lawrence Wong explained that the EIP does not apply to tenants subletting flats, but non-citizen quotas apply to owners renting to non-citizens, and HDB conducts inspections and takes action against violations.
Rahayu Mahzam asked about enforcement for unapproved rentals, specific penalties for non-compliance, and recourse for residents observing potential breaches.
Lawrence Wong affirmed that HDB takes enforcement seriously, conducts surprise inspections, and encourages residents to report suspicions, while noting the quotas are calibrated to balance rental needs and policy goals.

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8 Jan 2018

First-timer Buyers of BTO Flats in Mature Estates

The Minister confirmed that approximately 80% of Build-To-Order flat buyers in mature estates are first-timers.
The Special Housing Grant (SHG) is restricted to new 4-room or smaller flats in non-mature estates to promote financial prudence.
There are currently no plans to extend the SHG to first-timer buyers of flats in mature estates.
Eligible first-timer households purchasing in mature estates can still receive up to $40,000 through the Additional CPF Housing Grant.

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8 Jan 2018

Successful Applications for Lease Buyback Scheme

As of November 2017, about 2,500 households had successfully applied for the Lease Buyback Scheme since its launch in March 2009.
Payouts are based on the market value of the flat at application, minus the value of the retained lease and any outstanding amounts to HDB, and have not been directly affected by falling resale prices or rental income.
The average payout for each applicant under the scheme to date is approximately $146,000.

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8 Jan 2018

Freelancers and Self-employed Face Higher Barriers when Applying for HDB Housing Loan

Ong Teng Koon asked whether freelancers and self-employed individuals face higher barriers than salaried workers in applying for HDB housing loans due to income volatility and what the Ministry can do to promote entrepreneurship and labor flexibility.
Lawrence Wong stated that HDB’s credit assessment is based on the applicant’s average monthly income, regardless of employment type, and may require variable-income applicants to provide additional documentation or undergo a longer assessment period.
HDB exercises flexibility by considering individual circumstances for those who struggle to meet standard requirements, aiming to support home ownership while maintaining prudent lending practices.

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7 Nov 2017

Lapse in Insurance Coverage for Home Protection Scheme

Gan Thiam Poh asked about the number of HPS policy lapses due to non-payment, appeals for benefits after death or cancellation, measures to inform members of consequences, and plans to make HPS compulsory for all HDB homeowners, including those with pre-existing conditions.
The Minister of State reported a decreasing trend in lapses, with 1.5% in 2016, and 19 appeals in 2016 from families seeking benefits despite lapsed policies, which are considered case-by-case.
CPF Board and HDB have measures like explaining HPS at flat purchase, automatic premium deductions from CPF OA, and sending reminders to prevent lapses, with continued notifications for those who have lapsed to re-apply.
HPS currently covers members with mild pre-existing illnesses, and MOM is reviewing extension to those with serious conditions while exploring ways to strengthen premium payment continuity.

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6 Nov 2017

Price Gap between Private Housing and HDB Resale and BTO Flats

The debate centered on whether the Total Debt Servicing Ratio (TDSR) framework, implemented in June 2013, has narrowed the price gap between private housing and HDB resale or BTO flats.
The Minister for National Development stated that TDSR and other measures have moderated prices in both private and public housing markets, with the median price gap between private housing and HDB BTO flats slightly narrowing from 169% to 166%.
In contrast, the price gap between private housing and HDB resale flats has widened from 106% to 130%, though the Minister cautioned that many factors affect prices and comparisons should be interpreted carefully.
The Government will continue monitoring the property market to ensure stability and sustainability, with measures in place to prevent over-leveraging in housing purchases.

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6 Nov 2017

Digital TV Adoption by Low-income Households under Digital TV Assistance Scheme

The Ministry confirmed that 160,000 low-income households are identified for the Digital TV Assistance Scheme, providing free set-top boxes and installation, with about 64,000 packages deployed as of October 2017.
Outreach efforts are being intensified through door-knock exercises, community partnerships, and media campaigns to increase awareness and adoption among remaining households.
The analogue TV switch-off has been extended from end-2017 to end-2018 to align with regional plans and give the public more time to transition.
The Ministry is studying enhancements to the scheme to assist more Housing and Development Board Singaporean households and will announce details early next year.
The Ministry remains committed to ensuring all households can access free-to-air channels and public service broadcasts after the analogue switch-off.

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6 Nov 2017

Assisting Flat Owners beyond Defects Liability Period

Mr Liang Eng Hwa asked how the Ministry can assist HDB flat dwellers with defects due to design inadequacies and poor workmanship beyond the defects liability period, including helping with repair costs.
The Minister explained that during the one-year defects liability period, HDB arranges for contractors to repair defects, and this practice aligns with private developments.
After the defects liability period, HDB investigates the cause of issues; if due to contractor workmanship, HDB recalls the contractor for rectification, but owners bear costs for wear and tear or self-inflicted damage.
HDB provides flat owners with a list of repair contractors for private engagement if they need assistance beyond the defects liability period.
The Ministry emphasizes that while HDB supports investigations and contractor recalls, flat owners are generally responsible for repairs outside the defects liability period unless defects are from contractor workmanship.

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6 Nov 2017

Free Sunday Parking at New BTO Projects

Kwek Hian Chuan Henry asked if free Sunday parking could be extended to all new BTO projects across both mature and non-mature HDB estates.
Lawrence Wong explained that HDB car parks primarily serve resident needs and only considers extending free parking after parking demand stabilizes, typically six months after charges begin.
He noted this approach ensures sufficient parking spaces for residents while accommodating increased demand from free parking and avoids needing to withdraw the scheme later due to shortages.

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6 Nov 2017

Sum Insured under Compulsory HDB Fire Insurance Scheme

In the past five years, there were 640 fire incidents involving HDB flats, with 448 cases covered by the HDB Fire Insurance Scheme.
The sum insured under the scheme fully covered all claims for reinstating damaged internal structures, fixtures, and areas in the covered cases.
HDB reviews the sum insured for each flat type every five years when appointing a new insurer for the scheme.
The current sum insured is deemed adequate as it covered all claims in the reviewed period.

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