Who is responsible for repairs in an HDB flat?

HDB repair responsibility in one table

HDB sets out the owner's duties in its guidance on minor repairs and the Town Council's role on its page about HDB Branches and Town Councils.

Inside your flat

Under the Lease Agreement, you maintain the flat's interior, including the fixtures and fittings installed. HDB notes that pipes, water taps, cisterns, hinges, tiles and switches wear out over time. For small fixes, compare handyman services.

Spalling concrete is also the owner's job. HDB says it is common in older buildings, especially in kitchens and toilets, and that the home owner is responsible for preventing it through regular maintenance and for any repair work. Paint ceilings regularly, seal cracks and unused drilled holes, and open windows, vents or doors to reduce humidity.

For leaking pipe joints, HDB advises engaging a licensed plumber where necessary. If there is a leak, shut the stopcock at the PUB water sub-meter to cut the water supply. You can compare plumbers in the directory.

Your aircon is your responsibility too. HDB's aircon guidelines make flat owners responsible for its proper installation, safety and stability. Condensing units cannot be placed along the common corridor.

Common property and the Town Council

Town Councils are autonomous legal entities formed under the Town Councils Act. HDB says they control, manage, maintain and improve common property, which includes corridors, void decks, lifts, the water tank, public lighting and open spaces. For a Town Council repair, or questions about routine maintenance and cyclical improvement works, contact your Town Council.

HDB's pipes guide says low water pressure from a booster pump fault should be reported to the Town Council.

HDB Branches have a different role: they provide housing administration and estate management services. If an item is on neither list, check with your Town Council or HDB Branch before you book anyone. For more on where to start, see HDB or condo repairs: who to ask.

Slabs, leaks and shared items

Ceiling leaks happen when water from the flat above seeps through the floor slab, usually from wear and tear of the waterproof membrane and screed. HDB says owners are responsible for their own floor and ceiling slabs, so for a leak between two flats, the owners arrange the repair and split the costs.

Under the same HDB guide, a topmost-floor leak comes from the roof, which is common property, so contact the Town Council. For a void deck ceiling leak, the Town Council and the flat owner jointly arrange the repair and split the costs. For external walls or the rooftop, the Town Council bears the full repair cost.

For the steps to take with your neighbour, read the guide to a ceiling leak from the flat upstairs.

New flats under the Defects Liability Period

New HDB flats have a 1-year DLP from key collection. HDB asks owners to report items within 1 month of key collection and before renovation starts. You can report online through the QR code in the Welcome Kit or at the Building Service Centre, which arranges a joint inspection and assigns a contractor.

After the DLP, HDB says you may engage a repair contractor or approach your HDB Branch for further assistance. Work through the new home move-in checklist when you collect your keys.

Who pays when it is not clear

Who pays for a repair depends on where the fault starts. If that is not obvious, work through these steps.

1. Check the location. Work out whether the item is inside your flat or part of common property.
2. Ask the Town Council first. For anything in a corridor, lift lobby or riser, contact your Town Council before you book a contractor.
3. Keep records. Take photos and keep written records of your messages with neighbours, the Town Council and contractors.
4. Agree the scope and price. Before any work starts, agree with the contractor what they will do and what it costs. The price depends on the job, so compare quotes on the same scope, whether hourly rate or fixed price.

If you are unsure which trade a job needs, start with which service you need.

Questions