Are you a Singaporean household owning a flat built between 1987 to 1997? Good news! Look forward to new and better quality fittings.
What is the Home Improvement Programme?
The HIP was previously offered to Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats built up to 1986, of which 320,000 flats were eligible under this 1986 age-band. This is part of the HDB’s continuous efforts to improve the quality and design of HDB flats. HIP focuses on improvements within the flat, and helps flat owners address common maintenance problems related to ageing flats in a systematic and comprehensive manner.
In August 2018, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced that the programme would be extended to another 230,000 flats built between 1987 and 1997. The first batch of flats, comprising some 55,000 units, will be offered the extended HIP starting from this year.
Is HIP Affordable?
Definitely. HIP is heavily subsidised, the cost of the Essential Improvements is fully borne by the Government, while the subsidy for Optional improvements remains unchanged, at up to 95% of the total cost, so benefitting Singaporean households need only pay a small fraction of the upgrading works.
What Does the Extended HIP Package Include?
The package will be refreshed to include more contemporary and better quality improvement items. Residents can also choose from a wider range of improvement items, including:
- Retractable Clothes Drying Rack
- More Durable Main Entrance Door and Gate
- Toilet / Bathroom Package
You need to pay between 5% and 12.5% of the cost for the Optional Improvements that you have chosen. The maximum amount payable for a full suite of Optional Improvements will range from $550 to $1,375, depending on flat type.
How does the HIP benefit HDB homeowners? Ohmyhome’s Senior Real Estate Consultant David Ng said, “The HIP helps resolve health and safety issues caused by wear and tear in ageing HDB flats. For example, our old sewerage piping system was made of cast iron, which is prone to rust and leaks. Other items covered by the HIP are toilet systems, waterproofing for floors, wall tiles, fire-rated doors, etc. Fixing these enhance the living conditions of the household. Not only that, the HIP helps maintain the property’s value.”
The extended HIP is testament to HDB’s commitment for the past 60 years to continuously rejuvenate our towns and flats, to maintain their vibrancy and create even better homes for all.
Source: HDB
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