Oral Answer by Ministry of National Development on defects in HDB BTO flats

Oct 6, 2020

Mr Vikram Nair: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) in each of the last three years, what is the number of complaints made in relation to defects in HDB BTO flats within five years of their completion; (b) what is this figure as a percentage of the total number of HDB BTO flats completed in that year; and (c) whether HDB will consider extending the defects liability period with its contractors for a longer period of up to five years to ensure greater responsibility for workmanship.

Answer:

Flat owners of newly completed BTO flats are provided with a 1-year Defects Liability Period (DLP), where the building contractor will repair defects reported by flat owners. 

Based on BTO flats completed over the past five years, about 90% of the feedback on defects was received during the DLP, with the remaining 10% received in the second to fifth year following the blocks’ completion. On average, during the DLP, the number of reported defects per BTO flat was around 2.6, and this dropped significantly to 0.2 after the first year, 0.1 after the second year and 0.05 after the third year. The vast majority of reported defects involve issues such as scratches or cracks on timber surfaces, walls, tiles and sanitary fittings. These are rectified easily by the contractors, and do not affect the structural integrity or safety of the building. 

As most defects are resolved within the first year, a 1-year DLP is sufficient for the majority of new flat owners, and is in line with the industry practice for private developments. In addition, HDB provides all new flat owners with a 5-year warranty for external wall seepage or inter-floor seepage, and a 10-year warranty for spalling concrete.