HDB FLATS DAMAGED BY FIRES

Mr Lee Yiok Seng asked the Minister for National Development and Communications whether the Housing and Development Board will accept responsibility to restore to their original condition flats which have been damaged by accidental fires.

Mr Lim Kim San: Mr Speaker, Sir, in the event of a fire damaging a HDB flat due to natural causes or where liability cannot be established, the Board will bear the responsibility to restore the flat to its original condition without charge. However, if it is found that the lessee or tenant is liable for the cause of the fire, such as using the flat for storage of combustible material, then he will be held responsible for the cost of repairs.