KITCHEN TILES IN HDB FLATS

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Philip Tan Tee Yong asked the Minister for National Development (a) why the Housing and Development Board allows lessees to change kitchen tiles only after a period of 3 years; and (b) whether the HDB will consider (i) allowing lessees to change kitchen tiles during the initial 3-month renovation period or (ii) building flats without tiles in the kitchen so that lessees can select and install their own tiles.

The Minister for National Development (Mr Teh Cheang Wan): Mr Speaker, Sir, the HDB provides good quality, heavy duty ceramic tiles in neutral colours in the kitchen of its new flats. Most flat buyers are satisfied with the tiles provided. It is only a minority of the buyers who have requested to change the tiles during the initial 3-month renovation period.

The HDB cannot allow flat buyers to change the kitchen tiles during the first three years because extensive hacking is required. Such hacking may result in the building contractor disclaiming liability during the defects liability period. If renovation is not properly carried out, it may also result in water leakages to the lower floors.

Most flat buyers do not want to change the kitchen tiles provided by the HDB. If the tiles are not provided, these flat buyers will have to incur additional expenses when they renovate their flats. At present, the HDB is able to provide tiles at lower cost through bulk purchases. This will not be possible when individual flat buyers install their own tiles. Flat buyers will also be inconvenienced as the renovation will take a longer time. Moreover, there is also the risk of water leakages if the tiles are not properly installed by renovation contractors. It is therefore not desirable for the HDB to build flats without tiles in the kitchen.