Assisting Flat Owners beyond Defects Liability Period

78 Mr Liang Eng Hwa asked the Minister for National Development how can the Ministry assist HDB flat dwellers faced with defects that arise from design inadequacies and poor workmanship beyond the defects liability period, including assisting with the costs of repair works.

Mr Lawrence Wong: When residents move into their flats and report any defects to the Housing and Development Board (HDB) during the one-year Defects Liability Period (DLP), HDB will arrange for the contractor to carry out the necessary repairs. The one-year DLP is an industry-wide practice and is aligned with that for private developments.

If any maintenance issue is reported after DLP, HDB will first investigate the likely cause and advise the flat owners on the follow-up action accordingly. If the issue is assessed to arise from workmanship of the building contractor, it is considered a defect and HDB will recall the building contractor to rectify it. However, if the issue is due to wear and tear or the flat owners' own actions, flat owners will be responsible for any rectification works. If the flat owners need HDB’s help, HDB can provide them with a list of repair contractors, whom they can then engage on a private basis.