Oral Answer by Ministry of National Development on assistance on HDB flat maintenance matters
Aug 5, 2019
Mr Saktiandi Supaat: To ask the Minister for National Development whether HDB repair services can be expanded to provide support for the elderly, less mobile residents living alone in non-rental flats when they experience problems in their homes like power trips and infrastructure problems.
Answer:
Flat owners are responsible for the maintenance and repair of the fittings and fixtures within their flats, and can engage their own contractors to carry out the necessary work. As such, HDB does not provide repair services for flat owners.
Nevertheless, we recognise that some flat owners, such as the elderly or less-mobile residents who live alone, may require extra help, so there are various avenues for these residents to seek help. For urgent assistance on maintenance matters, such as power trips that occur after office hours, residents can contact their Town Council’s Essential Maintenance Service Unit (EMSU), who can provide advice over the phone or recommend an electrician that the flat owner can engage. HDB also provides general advice on home repair and maintenance, including referring residents to repair contractors that are listed on HDB’s website. Finally, flat owners can approach the community for help, and that includes the Community Development Councils (CDCs) and the grassroots organisations.