HDB ESTATE MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONS (Payment of dues)

Mr Loh Meng See asked the Minister for National Development, with the restructuring and relocation of the Housing and Development Board Area offices, whether arrangements can be made for the elderly to pay their HDB rental/conservancy charges without having to incur additional transport expenses.

Dr Lee Boon Yang (for the Minister for National Development): Sir, the streamlining of HDB's estate management functions has not affected the arrangements for the collection of rent, loan instalment and service and conservancy charges. Residents can still make payments for current month dues at any HDB branch or area office. Residents can, in fact, save time and transport cost if they opt to pay through inter-bank GIRO. I encourage all residents, in particular the elderly, to take advantage of the GIRO facility for making payments to the HDB.