HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD (Control of renovation to flats)

Mr Ho See Beng asked the Minister for National Development and Communications whether he is aware that owners of Housing and Development Board flats have no right at all to renovate even the windows of their premises, and what is the justification for the interference.

Dr Tan Eng Liang (for the Minister for National Development and Communications): Mr Speaker, Sir, I am aware that the Board does not allow alterations which affect the external appearance of the building. The Board has to do this to control the general appearance of the building so that the visual environment of our housing estates, supplemented by other landscaping efforts, will be as pleasant and tidy as possible. Among the controls exercised are those on signboards and positioning of window air-conditioned units. The Board also has to ensure that alterations or additions carried out by flat owners do not cause any structural damage to the buildings. Such controls should not be interpreted as interference.

Window design is an integrated part of the building design. If left to individuals, each person will have a distinctive preference for window types and designs. This will result in irregularity and untidiness of the building as a whole and will mar its external appearance.

Mr Ho See Beng: Mr Speaker, Sir, if the alteration does not mar the aesthetic appearance of the building, will the Housing Board agree or disagree to it?

Dr Tan Eng Liang: Mr Speaker, Sir, if it does not mar the external appearance, then it will agree.