New flats owners are also offered extended warranty coverage for three major types of defects.
Rectification of defects in new HDB flats are covered by a warranty under the one-year Defects Liability Period (DLP), said the Ministry of National Development (MND).
Aside from this, new flat owners are also offered extended warranty coverage for three major defect types, namely five years for external seepage and ceiling leakages, as well as 10 years for spalling concrete, the MND said in a written reply to MP Foo Mee Har’s query on the HDB’s operating procedures in addressing residents’ complaints about defects.
It noted that the Housing Board sets up a Building Service Centre (BSC) within the precinct during the DLP to facilitate the reporting and rectification process involving defects.
Flat owners reporting defects directly at the BSC get to select a date on when to conduct the joint inspection with the HDB’s contractor.
“For flat owners who send in their feedback via email or letters, the BSC will contact them within three working days to schedule the joint inspection,” the MND said.
Rectification works will be completed by the HDB within 14 working days. For complicated cases that require more time, the agency will inform flat owners of the expected date of completion.
Once the rectification works are done, another joint inspection with the flat owner is conducted to ensure that the works have been carried out satisfactorily.
“For issues that may arise beyond the one-year Defects Liability Period, HDB will contact the flat owners within three working days of receiving the feedback, and advise flat owners accordingly,” the Ministry said.
“The appropriate follow-up action will depend on the nature and complexity of the defects. This is because such defects may be caused by a variety of reasons, such as the workmanship of HDB’s building contractors or the flat owners’ own actions,” it added.
Romesh Navaratnarajah, Senior Editor at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact him about this or other stories, email romesh@propertyguru.com.sg
