HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD FLATS (Popping tiles)

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HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD FLATS:

(Popping tiles): 12.

Miss Penny Low asked the Minister for National Development in view of the phenomena of popping tiles in relatively new design and build or premium HDB flats, what are (a) the steps taken to rectify the problem; (b) the type of compensation can affected residents expect; and (c) the steps taken to prevent similar occurrence in future. ****

Mr Cedric Foo Chee Keng (for the Minister for National Development): Sir, popping tiles are likely to be caused by localised poor workmanship during installation. In most cases, the tiles dislodge due to poor adhesion. The tiles then become hollow when tapped upon and they tend to pop out. Such defects are latent in nature and are usually not detectable at the time of completion of the flats.

According to HDB, four contracts in Sengkang and Punggol design-and-build

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and design-plus type of contracts completed between 2001 and 2003 are affected by this problem. When popping tiles occur innew flats, HDB will work closely with the building contractors to carry out rectification works quickly so as to minimise the inconvenience to the flat owners. If the dislodged tiles are due to poor workmanship, it is the responsibility of the contractors to repair the defects at no cost to the flat owner.

The compensation given by the contractors would depend on several factors, amongst which the degree of rectification works required, the impact on the existing fittings and fixtures that are already installed. And if the repair works involve replacement of all the tiles in a particular room and the removal and subsequent reinstatement of fittings and fixtures in that room, the owners might have to stay elsewhere temporarily. For such cases, the contractors would consider the owner's request for compensation for the cost of alternative accommodation.

Sir, the more important point is preventing the recurrence of such defects. HDB has specified the use of only skilled tilers for all its building projects since January 2004. These tilers would need to have the skills evaluation certificate from the Construction Industry Training Institute and be equipped with the knowledge to carry out proper tiling works. HDB also requires a demonstration of tiling work method to be done in the presence of the HDB consultants' project engineers and site supervisors before the tilers can carry out the actual works. In addition, HDB has specified the use of only pre-approved tile adhesive which is more durable than the conventional cement and sand binder for laying of floor tiles. For ongoing premium flat contracts where floor tiling works have just commenced, HDB has replaced the conventional cement and sand binder with the new tile adhesive.

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Miss Penny Low (Pasir Ris-Punggol): Sir, are the compensations granted on an automatic basis and according to a particular schedule or through a process of negotiation? I understand from residents that, currently, HDB allows the contractors to negotiate directly with the affected residents. As a result, depending on who is a better negotiator and, in some cases, who is the fiercer negotiator, the person gets an upper hand and the compensation is agreed upon as such. This resulted in unequal treatment for similar cases even if the defect occurred just a few doors apart. Could the Minister clarify whether this should be the modus operandi and whether residents can seek further recourse should they find out that they have actually had a really bad deal?

Mr Cedric Foo Chee Keng: Sir, there are a total of 20 cases in the Sengkang/Punggol area which have sought compensation from the contractors. Out of the 20 cases, eight of them have already been compensated, with 12 cases still under negotiation with the contractors.

I suppose the main point is what is the extent of damage. So long as the house owner is reasonable in his demands for rectification works, the contractors would normally oblige. Also, if they need alternative accommodation -some of them have large families with in-laws with them and so forth - and if that need is clear, the contractors will oblige as well. So, in rare cases, where the tenants are more demandingand they want to be compensated more thanthe damagethat they haveincurred, this is when there may be a stalemate. In such situations -whichare very few, only 12 casesremaining -HDB can assist to see what is reasonable.

Miss Penny Low: I understand from some statistics given by HDB that it

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actually affects about 3.3% of the four contracts and that numbers about 108 cases. Perhaps the Minister of State could comment on the rest of those cases.

Mr Cedric Foo Chee Keng: The Member is correct. The number (20), which Imentioned just now, is the number of cases that sought compensation, not rectification works. If we combine those who sought rectification works as well, indeed, only 3.6% of the number of units -which to us is 3.6% too many,and we are trying to reduce that - or 118 cases require rectification works, of which the contractor has rectified 106 cases. So the majority has been done with. Twelve of them have requested for rectification works to be done after the Chinese New Year period. I suppose they are being carried out right now.

Mr Charles Chong: Sir, the Minister of Statehas mentioned that HDB would intervene should residents be unreasonable. Could we also have an assurance from the Minister of State that should the contractors be unreasonable, HDB would also intervene?

Mr Cedric Foo Chee Keng: Yes, we will do our best to see how we can resolve any dispute between the contractors and the households.