New homeowner FAQ: who fixes what
If you are a first time homeowner in Singapore, it helps to know who handles each kind of repair before something goes wrong. HDB Branches provide housing administration and estate management services, and HDB's page on HDB Branches and Town Councils says you can contact your nearest HDB Branch for help. The three answers below set out the basic split.
Am I responsible for repairs inside my flat?
Yes. HDB's page on HDB Branches and Town Councils says regular upkeep of your flat is your role as the homeowner, and it advises due care when you carry out repair and maintenance works. For the full split between your unit and the estate, read who maintains what in an HDB estate.
What does the Town Council maintain?
Common property. HDB's page on HDB Branches and Town Councils says Town Councils maintain and improve the common property of HDB flats in their town, such as corridors, void decks, lifts, the water tank, public lighting and open spaces. Contact your Town Council about routine maintenance. For blocked pipes, see the guide to a main stack choke.
Who fixes defects in a new flat?
HDB does, during the 1-year DLP from your key collection date. HDB asks you to submit a request through the QR code in the Welcome Kit or on your kitchen wall notice, or at the temporary Building Service Centre (BSC). The BSC arranges a joint inspection and assigns contractors. See the BTO defects liability period guide.
Safety checks
The Energy Market Authority (EMA) explains that an RCCB cuts off electricity when it detects a current leakage that may lead to an electric shock (EMA's electrical safety page). All residential premises must have an RCCB or earth leakage circuit breaker (ELCB) with a rated residual operating current not exceeding 30mA.
How do I test the RCCB?
With its Test button, once a month. EMA's electrical safety page says to test the RCCB monthly. It is usually in the distribution board (DB box) and can be identified as a switch with a "Test" button. Do it with dry hands. To find your way around the panel, see how to read a DB box.
How do I test the home fire alarm?
Press the Test/Reset button on the device. MyNiceHome's move-in guide says the home fire alarm device (HFAD) on the ceiling can be tested with its Test/Reset button. During renovation, it advises covering the HFAD with a plastic sheet and removing the cover right after. The HDB fire alarm guide has more detail.
Regular upkeep
HDB's air-conditioner care guide asks you to inspect the aircon regularly: brackets fixed only to concrete or brick walls (not timber frames), stainless steel brackets free of corrosion and rust, no leaking, and condensate piping running into the flat to a floor trap. Check with your aircon serviceman whether a corroded or rusty unit needs replacing.
What aircon upkeep does HDB ask for?
Regular servicing of the condensing unit by a licensed service provider. HDB's air-conditioner care guide also asks you to clean the air filters. The National Environment Agency (NEA) says to check the filter once a month and get units inspected annually (NEA's energy saving tips). See how often to service an aircon.
How do I plan a yearly maintenance budget?
Start with a list of recurring jobs, then get quotes for each. Include regular aircon servicing and any yearly checks, and remember that costs depend on the job and the company. The annual home maintenance budget post covers planning, and the home maintenance calendar generator helps you spread jobs across the year.
Before renovating
Check the flat carefully before any renovation contractor starts. MyNiceHome's move-in guide notes that slight colour variations in floor tiles or timber flooring, or in the width of tile grouting, are normal characteristics of the materials and manual work, and are not considered defects.
What should I do before renovating?
Report defects first. HDB asks you to report items "within 1 month of key collection and before your renovation works begin", which saves investigating whether a defect came from construction or renovation. HDB does not recommend handing your flat keys to the contractor; bring a lock to secure your flat. Then work through the pre-renovation checklist.
Can I drill into the walls?
Yes, with care. MyNiceHome's move-in guide says internal partition walls in BTO flats are drywalls, sample anchors are provided in the household shelter, and you should avoid areas with concealed electrical wiring. HDB's plumbing renovation guidelines limit ramsets, nails and screws to 6mm in diameter and 40mm penetration depth. See the HDB drilling rules.
NEXT STEP
Not sure which trade you need? Answer a few questions and see the matching companies with their published prices and sources.
Find the right serviceWhere to go next
Once the basics are clear, these pages help with the next step, from a single repair question to planning the jobs for the year ahead:
- HDB repairs FAQ: more answers on repairs in and around your flat.
- Home maintenance calendar: regular jobs to plan through the year.
- Which service you need: match a job to the right trade.
Questions
Should I keep the household shelter door intact?
Yes. MyNiceHome's move-in guide says you should never remove or tamper with the household shelter door. Its upkeep is simple: lubricate the hinges and locks at least once a year. Add it to your yearly maintenance list.
Do I need home insurance?
This page cannot tell you, because none of the official sources it draws on cover home insurance. If you are thinking about a policy, read what it covers and what it excludes, and ask the provider to explain anything unclear before you sign up. Compare the terms against the fittings, renovation work and belongings you want protected.
Who do I call for a leak inside my flat?
A licensed plumber you arrange yourself. HDB's page on HDB Branches and Town Councils says regular upkeep of your flat is your role as the homeowner. HDB's plumbing renovation guidelines add that water service and sanitary works need a PUB Licensed Plumber, so ask whether the plumber holds that licence.
Can I store things on the aircon ledge?
No. HDB's aircon installation guidelines say the aircon ledge is only for the condensing unit. Its air-conditioner care guide also asks you to have the condensing unit serviced regularly by a licensed service provider and to check that its brackets are free of corrosion and rust.
What should I keep in a home toolkit?
A small set of basics covers many simple jobs: a screwdriver set, pliers, a measuring tape, a spirit level, a torch, a utility knife and a plunger. Add painter's tape and a notebook for marking and listing defects, plus spare batteries. Store everything in one box so you can find it quickly when something needs fixing.
Who do I call for a lift breakdown?
Your Town Council. HDB's page on HDB Branches and Town Councils says Town Councils maintain the common property of HDB flats, which includes lifts, and that you should contact your Town Council about routine maintenance. The same applies to other common property, such as corridors, void decks and public lighting.
Practical guidance for planning a home job in Singapore. Company prices come from the HomezyPro directory, each linked to its source; rules and safety points link to the agency or manufacturer that sets them. This is not a site inspection, a quote or professional advice for your home.
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