Extras for Home Improvement Programme

Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether the Home Improvement Programme (HIP) can include replacements of windows for older flats and to provide aircon ledges to prevent the hazard of falling aircons for public safety; (b) how many households have opted for deferred payment instead of full settlement by cash under HIP so far; and (c) whether HDB has ensured that prospective buyers of such resale flats whose existing owner opted out of HIP is aware of this for fair sale purposes.

Mr Lawrence Wong: Residents are responsible for regular maintenance of the windows to ensure that they are safe and secure at all times. Most residents install custom-made windows based on their preference, and these are of varying sizes, colours, different configurations and designs. It would thus be best to leave the replacement of these windows to flat owners.

External air-conditioner ledges were provided in HDB flats from the early 1990s onwards. For flats without air-conditioner ledges, the Building Control Regulations stipulate that residents need to install stainless steel brackets to support any external air-conditioning units. This is to ensure public safety. There is therefore no need to provide air-conditioner ledges under HIP.

As at 31 August 2018, about 90,000 households have been billed for the Home Improvement Programme (HIP). Of the households billed, 11.5% households have opted for deferred payment and 88.5% households have made full payment. Amongst those who made full payment, about half of them paid by cash.

The status of flats undergoing upgrading programmes such as HIP is published on the HDB InfoWeb. Prospective flat buyers can therefore check the status of the flat they are interested in. Upon ascertaining that the flat is undergoing HIP, they would need to check with the sellers on the HIP components, that is, Essential/Optional that the sellers have opted for and factor these into their price negotiation with the sellers before committing to the purchase.