Resale HDB Renovation Guidelines: What You Need to Know

The joy of owning a resale flat is a familiar one for Singaporeans, which comes with a number of advantages over buying a new Build-To-Order (BTO) flat. Purchasing a resale flat keeps it open for you to renovate in accordance with your personal taste and notions.

However, before diving into renovation plans, it’s important to understand the resale HDB renovation guidelines.

In Singapore, resale flat renovation guidelines are put in place to safeguard the safety of people who live in HDB estates, maintain the integrity of the building and keep to the aesthetic harmony of HDB estates.

If you’re considering a resale flat renovation, here’s what you need to know.

Understanding Resale HDB Renovation Rules

For resale flats, the first thing that you have to know is have to abide by HDB renovation guidelines. Such regulations are in place to keep the structural safety of building and its residents intact. Resale flat renovation rules cover everything from structural changes to interior design alterations. If you are going to start any type of renovation work, it is imperative before you proceed to understand what you can and what you can’t.

1. Types of Renovation Work Allowed in Resale Flats

Renovation works in relocation flats can be broadly separated to a couple of sorts, inner and outer. Generally, internal renovations are permitted but there are limits to, especially, structural changes. These are in fact the most common types of renovations.

• Partitioning: A unique renovation practice is to add partitions to create more rooms or spaces. However, these partitions need to jeopardize the structural integrity of the flat and not be able to change the load bearing walls.

• Flooring: Replacing or upgrading the flooring is perhaps the easiest of renovations in resale flats. Then you are at liberty to choose tiles, vinyls or other flooring materials provided that its height is within the allowable limits.

• Ceilings: Installing new ceilings is allowed, but you cannot install them to the point where there is more than a certain amount of height or where there is creation of space that could help store heat or moisture and in turn affect the flat’s ventilation.

• Kitchen and Bathroom: You are permitted to renovate your kitchen or bathroom, installing new cabinetry, updating plumbing systems and fixture swapping. Nevertheless, thank goodness, any modifications done to the plumbing system has to be in accordance with the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) standards.

2. Forbidding Renovation Work in Sale Flats

Although most of the internal renovation works are permissible, some are not allowed, essentially the renovations that may affect the safety and structural integrity of the building in resale flats.

These include:

• Knocking Down Structural Walls: Load-bearing walls must remain intact. The removal or alteration of them will also potentially weaken the structure of the flat, and thereby become a potential hazard to safety.

• Increasing the Flat’s Floor Area: It doesn’t allow its expansion of the flat’s footprint or addition of extra space over the existing floor plan’s limits.

• Modification to Building Facades: All external changes to the exterior and facade of the building are forbidden so as to preserve uniformity and aesthetic integration of the HDB estates.

3. Applying for Renovation Approval

There are certain steps you are required to take before commencing any renovation work on your resale flat, such as applying for HDB’s approval. It is easy to apply, but all required documents and procedures must be submitted in order to avoid delay.

This is how to submit renovation approval:

• Submit an Online Application: You can also visit the official HBC website for submitting online application for renovation approval. Do it using this application which should include detailed renovation plans of types of materials you plan to use as well as structural changes you are to make.

• Engage a Registered Renovation Contractor: However, it is compulsory to use an HDB licensed contractor to do the renovation. This ensures that the work of renovation is fulfilled based on HDB’s requirements and guidelines.

• Approval Timeline: Once you submit your renovation application to HDB, it usually takes about 5 to 10 working days for the application to be processed and approved. If approved, you’ll be granted renovation permit.

4. Renovation Guidelines for Specific Areas

Some areas of the flat like the kitchen, bathroom and balcony have specific guidelines attached to it. These guidelines help in renovation of safe and functional renditions.

Kitchen and Bathroom Renovation

Make sure that works for the kitchen and bathrooms require being compliant with safety standard on plumbing and electrical works. When renovating these areas:

• Plumbing work: You are required to adhere to the rules concerning relocation or addition of plumbing system. All work done as a plumber has to conform to regulations from the Public Utilities Board (PUB).

• Electrical work: An electrical work carried out by a licensed electrical contractor and not creating any hurdles for any structural components of the flat.

• Ventilation: Proper ventilation must exist in kitchens and bathrooms. Install exhaust fans or other ventilation systems properly and do not block windows or ventilation openings.

Balcony Renovation

If you own a resale flat that has a balcony, renovation of it should not breach the HDB guidelines governing such spaces. Sometimes, modifications to the balcony will require special permit if you want to add enclosures or any other major changes.

5. Renovation Timeframes and Noise Regulations

During renovation work, you cannot jeopardize the normal way of life of your neighbors and therefore have to adhere to specific timeframes.

Here are the key rules:

• Renovation Hours: Renovation works are allowed to be done only during some hours. Commonly, these hours are on weekdays, 9 AM to 6 PM, except during weekends and public holidays when no renovation works are permitted.

• Noise Control: Nevertheless, HDB’s noise control regulations for home renovation are very strict to avoid disruption in the estate. Relaxed during some hours are use of power tools —for instance, jackhammers, which produce very high noise levels.

6. What to Do After the Renovation

Once the renovation work is done, you have to check your flat for safety and compliance with HDB’s regulations. Final inspection of the work to ensure as per standards. Contact HDB or an expert if you have doubts as to whether your renovation is safe.

Conclusion

Renovation of a resale flat has allowed you to create your own living space, though that is with a condition and set of rules and regulations that you have to abide by.

To summarize:

• Your renovation work must adhere to HDB’s guidelines to avoid penalty or enforcement actions.
• Start by apply for the necessary approvals before embarking on any renovation work.
• Renovation work should always be carried out by a licensed contractor.
• Relate different areas of the flat such as kitchens, bathroom and balconies with certain rules.
• Renovation hours and noise regulations should be carefully adhered to so as not to disturb the peaceful living environment.

By following these resale HDB renovation guidelines, you can ensure that your renovation project goes smoothly and complies with all necessary regulations. By doing so, you’ll be able to achieve your dream home, and at the same time keep your resale flat safe in integrity.