Number of Cases of Popping Tiles Rectified by HDB Beyond 15-year Goodwill Repair Duration and Extension of One-off Measure to Cover Flats Whose Warranty Had Expired Since Onset of COVID-19 Pandemic
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the rectification and financial assistance for popping HDB floor tiles beyond the 15-year goodwill repair period. Ms Yeo Wan Ling and Ms He Ting Ru inquired about repair statistics and one-off cost absorptions for flats with warranties expiring during the pandemic. Minister for National Development Desmond Lee clarified that flat owners are responsible for maintenance after 15 years, though HDB provides lists of private contractors for owners to engage. He noted that residents facing financial difficulties are referred to grassroots organisations and Community Development Councils, which funded 146 households for such repairs over the past three years. HDB maintains the 15-year limit as it already exceeds the industry standard and will not extend one-off measures for expired warranties.
Transcript
60 Ms Yeo Wan Ling asked the Minister for National Development (a) what is the number of cases of popping tiles that have been rectified by HDB that were beyond the 15-year goodwill repair duration; and (b) under what circumstances does HDB repair these tiles beyond the 15-year goodwill repair duration.
61 Ms He Ting Ru asked the Minister for National Development (a) in the past three years, how many applications have been received by the Community Development Councils for financial assistance for repairs of dislodged tiles and of these, how many applications are successful; and (b) whether HDB will consider, as a one-off measure, absorbing the cost for repairing dislodged tiles for flats which 15-year warranty period expired since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr Desmond Lee: Flat owners are responsible for the maintenance of their flats, including repairs for general wear and tear. Nevertheless, HDB will help flat owners repair dislodged tiles originally provided by HDB for a period of up to 15 years. This is beyond the current industry standard of one year.
For flats more than 15 years old, flat owners will need to engage their own contractors to carry out the tile replacement. HDB can provide owners with a list of repair contractors, whom they can then engage on a private basis.
Residents who need financial assistance with the cost of dislodged tile repairs can seek assistance from grassroots organisations and the Community Development Councils (CDCs). HDB will assist such residents by referring them to these community organisations.
Over the past three years, CDCs have provided funding support to 146 households for repairs to dislodged tiles.