HDB Ceiling Leaks: Who Should Pay for It?

Have trouble because of HDB ceiling leaks? Well, you’re not the only one. Ceiling leaks are common in Singapore, especially among those who live in HDB flats.

Sounds trivial, but HDB ceiling leaks shouldn’t be underestimated. Leaks can cause damage to your humble home, but more importantly, they can pose a risk to the health of you and your family.

The maintenance of HDB ceilings is a serious household problem, and finding a solution is not as simple as it sounds.

Unless you live on the top floor of your building, HDB ceiling leaks aren’t just a problem affecting your own home. You have to communicate with your neighbour who lives directly above you. Getting the help of your neighbours to solve this problem is not always easy.

However, do now no longer be discouraged. If you’re experiencing those problems, here’s a brief manual on fixing your leakage problems.

What to Do When an HDB Ceiling Leak Occurs?

First, check your home for signs of ceiling leaks. If you don’t see any signs of water in your house, that doesn’t mean you don’t have to be careful.

Make sure ceiling maintenance is part of your home habit. This includes cleaning the ceiling on a regular basis to remove dust and dirt. It is also recommended to have your ceiling painted every now and then, as the paint serves as additional protection from elements that may cause damage to it. Also, make sure to continually inspect every space of your house for any signs of leaks; you can’t predict when a leak may start happening.

If your home is above someone else’s home, you should also be aware of potential issues that may occur with your unit. Check the floor for cracks or holes that could allow water to enter. Also, check regularly for problems with your drainage and water supply system. If you find any anomalies, fix them immediately. Maintaining your home properly is important, but it’s also harmless to be aware of the people who live around you.

If you see signs of leaks on the ceiling, do not handle the problem with your own hands. Contact our team of experts immediately to confirm the problem.

Who Should Pay for the HDB Ceiling Repair Cost?

As mentioned earlier, ceiling leakage is not an issue that only concerns you. Dealing with this problem usually concerns three parties: the HDB and the owners of the upper and lower flat. For cases of ceiling leaks between the upper and lower floor flats, both owners share the responsibility of having it fixed. The total ceiling repair cost is normally split 50-50 between the two of them.

You can obtain HDB’s Goodwill Repair Assistance scheme if you are worried about not having enough money to make the repairs. Once you get the referral of the Grassroots Advisers of your estate, the HDB will pay 50% of the ceiling repair cost, with the remaining half to be split between the two flat owners. Paying 25% of the total cost is all you need to do, usually $300 per repair location.

However, we have established that having the cooperation of your neighbour is not always easy. They may deny any queries about possible problems in their unit, or at worst, they don’t allow professionals to investigate the root cause of the problem. Grassroots leaders can serve as mediators in these situations. If the flat owner continues to be uncooperative, the HDB can initiate legal action against them.

If you are living on the topmost floor of your building, the leakage is most probably from the roof of the block. Because the roof is part of common property maintained by the Town Council, you should contact the Town Council in your residential area to have it repaired.

Ceiling repairs usually take several months, during which time the root cause of the problem and the entire waterproofing process needs to be investigated. The time required for repairs also depends on how well the two apartment owners work together.

Will HDB Help Pay for Part of the Repair for an HDB Ceiling Leaks in Condominiums?

Unfortunately, HDB does not offer condo owners the same ceiling maintenance schedule. For ceiling leaks on private land without land, follow the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act managed by the Strata Titles Board (STB).

Here it is assumed that the owner of the upper apartment will be responsible for the leak and will have to bear the cost of repairing the ceiling until it is proved otherwise. Therefore, the owners of both apartments should conduct a joint investigation to determine the cause of the leak and proceed with repairs immediately. Also, please contact the condominium management company and get involved in solving the problem.

Again, you can reach out to your uncooperative neighbours. In this case, you can contact the Strata Titles Board (STB), a court of lawyers and construction industry experts. This panel of experts assesses the situation based on evidence and mediates between the parties. The STB then executes the order enforced by the state court.

It’s either you live in an HDB flat or a condo; it is best to have professionals to help you solve your problems with the HDB ceiling leaks.