Repairs in an HDB flat or a condo, and who to ask first

Why the first call matters

Before you book a handyman, a painter or a plumber, it helps to know whether the job is yours to arrange, whether it needs approval and who else might be involved. The answer depends a lot on whether you live in an HDB flat or a condominium, and on whether the problem sits inside your unit or in a shared area.

Asking the right people first can save you from paying for a repair that someone else should handle, or from starting work that has to be stopped or undone. This article explains who to ask in each type of home, with a focus on windows, shared pipes and small renovations. It does not set out the rules themselves, which change over time: read the official guidance linked below for your home.

Inside your unit or a shared area

The first question for any repair is where the problem is.

• Inside your unit: fittings, fixtures and finishes that serve only your home, such as your taps, internal doors, wardrobes and walls you have painted, are normally your responsibility.
• Shared or common areas: corridors, lift lobbies, common pipes, the building facade and shared drainage are usually managed by the Town Council or the management office.
• Somewhere in between: some items, such as certain pipes, windows and the main door, can raise questions about who is responsible. Ask before you book.

If you are not sure, a short message to the Town Council or management office with a photo is a sensible first step.

In an HDB flat

For HDB flats, two sets of people are usually involved: the Town Council for common areas, and HDB for renovation guidance.

The Town Council manages and maintains common property in the estate, such as corridors, lifts and shared pipes. If a problem starts in a common area or a shared pipe, contact the Town Council before booking a private repair.

For work inside the flat, HDB publishes renovation guidance for flats. Read HDB's important information on renovations before planning anything beyond simple repairs. Check it for the specific job, rather than relying on what a neighbour did, since requirements can differ by work type.

In a condominium

In a condominium, the management office, acting for the management corporation, is usually the first point of contact. Ask for the estate's house rules or by-laws, and check whether they cover renovation hours, deposits, lift protection, contractor registration and changes to the look of the building.

Before any work, ask the management office:

• Whether the job needs notice or approval, and what forms to submit.
• Which hours and days work is allowed.
• Whether a deposit is needed and how lift and common area protection should be handled.
• Whether contractors need to register or show identification on arrival.
• Whether changes to windows, grilles, balconies or the facade are allowed.

Share the answers with your contractor before they quote, since rules about timing and access can affect the price.

Windows

Windows deserve special care because a failed window can be dangerous to people below. Replacing windows, changing frames or major repairs can involve approvals and rules about who does the work, so check before you book rather than after.

For flats, read HDB's guidance on window works before booking any window replacement. For all homes, BCA's window safety information covers window safety for homeowners. In a condominium, ask the management office as well, since window changes can affect the building's appearance.

Smaller jobs, such as a sticking sliding door or a loose handle, are usually simpler. The door and window repair guide explains what affects those jobs and what to ask.

Shared pipes and leaks

Leaks are one of the most common sources of confusion. A leak from your own tap or the pipe under your sink is usually a job for your own plumber. A leak from a common drainage stack or a corridor pipe is normally handled by the Town Council or management office. Water coming through your ceiling may come from the unit above.

The leak repair guide explains how leaks are traced and what to describe to a plumber. For HDB flats, HDB's renovation and maintenance pages, linked above, are a useful starting point for understanding responsibility.

Small renovations and painting

Repainting, putting up shelves, installing curtain rails and similar jobs are often straightforward, but a few questions are still worth asking. In a condominium, check renovation hours and whether the work needs notice. In an HDB flat, check HDB's renovation guidance if the job involves drilling into certain walls, hacking or changing fixtures.

The painting guide covers what to agree with a painter, such as preparation, the number of coats and protecting floors. The handyman guide explains how to compare companies for small jobs.

Questions

Who fixes a leak from a corridor pipe in an HDB block?

A leak from a corridor or common pipe is normally handled by the Town Council. Contact them before booking a private plumber, and book your own plumber only once the source is confirmed to be inside your flat.

Do I need approval to replace windows?

It depends on the home and the work. Read HDB's window works guidance for flats and BCA's window safety information, and in a condominium ask the management office before booking.

What should I ask a condo management office before renovation?

Ask whether the work needs notice or approval, which hours are allowed, whether a deposit is needed, how common areas should be protected and whether contractors must register.