Knowing the Renovation Guidelines (for HDB owners)



To summarise, HDB flat owners need to:

1. Engage an HDB Registered Renovation Contractor (RRCs) to carry out renovation works. Otherwise, the owners can be fined up to $5,000 and other penalties;
2. Ensure that certain types of renovation work need a permit from HDB before commencing such works;
3. Ensure that the renovation work which may result in the following is not allowed to be carried out:
  • Overloading the structure which may affect the structural integrity and safety of the building;
  • Affecting the external facade/form of the building or public safety;
  • Creating public nuisance, posing fire hazard or encroachment to public area;
  • Infringing lease agreement, relevant statutory regulations or requirements, etc.
Examples of the unauthorised renovation works include:
  • Hacking and removal of structural members such as reinforced concrete wall, columns, beams, slabs, staircases within maisonette flats, etc.
  • Excessive overloading of the floor slab with a load greater than 150 kg for every metre square of floor area.
  • Plastering of ceilings.
  • Partitioning with combustible or toxic emission materials (e.g. plywood, plastics, asbestos etc.)
  • Raising of floor level exceeding the allowable thickness of 50mm (inclusive of floor tiles) using concrete.
  • Extending floor area by covering over void deck areas (e.g. covering over void deck areas within maisonette flats)
  • Constructing water tank in bathroom except ready-made fibreglass bathtub.
  • Repositioning or enlarging bin chute opening.
  • Painting external part of building (e.g. common corridor walls and ceilings)
  • Installing awning or other fixtures outside flat.
  • Installing casement windows where flat's façade is facing common corridor.
  • Laying floor finishes outside entrance door without having recess area or step.
  • Replacement of full height windows or 3/4 height windows or bay windows.
  • Removal or tampering of safety railings/grilles (internal & external) originally provided by HDB/Developers.
  • Removal or tampering of safety railings/grilles (internal & external) installed in the flat and/or at Full Height Windows (including 3/4 height and bay windows located at Utility Room, Space Adding Item) during the Main Upgrading Programme (MUP).
  • Partial or total enclosure including installation of external grilles on air-conditioner ledge.
  • Partial or total enclosure including installation of external grilles at planter box. No permanent sealing of planter box.
  • Installation of overhead grilles (ie. caging up) at interaction balcony.
  • Change of use of planter box and air-conditioner ledge.
  • Placement of reflective film (exceeding 20% reflectance) over existing window's glass panel.
Open Terrace at Loft Units

  • - Partial or total enclosure.
    - Installation of a roof or fixed/retractable awning.
  • Relocation of sliding door at balcony where windows installation is not allowed.
  • Removal or replacement of sliding door different from original provision at balcony where windows installation is not allowed.
  • Removal of pitched roof ceiling (be it partially or fully) at topmost floor unit as it is part of the building's metal roof system.



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