HIP-HIP Hooray! HDB flats will undergo a major upgrading, not once, but TWICE during its 99-year lease.

The first Home Improvement Programme, or HIP, helps you resolve common maintenance problems such as spalling concrete at around the 30-year mark.

Following that, your flat will receive a second round of Government upgrading — under the recently announced HIP II.

The upgrades are done to help keep your flat safe and liveable. They also help your flat retain its value as its 99-year lease runs down.

We break down the important details for you.

1. The works

There are three main components of HIP.

• Essential Improvements These are done for public health, safety, or technical reasons. They include repairing spalling concrete, replacing pipe sockets with a new clothes drying rack, and upgrading the electrical load.

• Optional Improvements You can choose whether or not you want to upgrade your existing bathrooms, install a new decorative door or grille gate, or even a new refuse chute hopper. If you opt out of the optional toilet upgrading, your bathrooms must pass a water test for leaks to prevent ceiling leaks in the flat below.

• Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) Got elderly family members living at home? Under EASE, you can choose from a range of elderly-friendly fittings, such as slip-resistant treatment for bathroom floor tiles and grab bars within the flat.
  
  

2. The cost

The essential improvements are fully paid for by the Government. The optional improvements are heavily subsidised (up to 95 per cent), so residents pay an estimated amount of between $630 and $1,575.

For EASE, the full range of items will cost around $2,500. After Government subsidies of up to 95 per cent, Singapore Citizens pay between $125 and $312.50, depending on their flat types.

You can use CPF monies to pay for these costs, in full, if you wish. Payment can also be made by monthly instalments, and if you have difficulty meeting the cost, you can approach your Managing HDB Branch for financial assistance.

3. The duration

The renovation works in each flat will take 10 days or less, depending on the improvements selected. But do note that no works will be done on Sundays!

The construction period for a typical precinct comprising eight to 10 blocks will take about 1.5 to 2 years.

4. The experience

Dust and noise

To minimise the dust, a dust screen and exhaust fan with a dust bag will be provided, along with regular housekeeping.

A rest area and study room will also be provided for residents’ usage, and a small breaker will be used to help reduce noise generation during hacking.

Bathrooms

Since your bathrooms may undergo upgrading, you may worry about how you’ll be relieving yourselves.

Don’t fret! Temporary toilets with shower facilities will be set up at the void deck during working hours. After working hours, you can use the portable toilet set up in your flat – it even comes with hot water showers!

5. The process

Can’t wait to get started? Well, you’ll need to wait for a letter from the HDB, informing you that your precinct has been shortlisted for HIP, or you can check here.

The HIP will proceed when at least 75 per cent of a block’s eligible Singapore Citizen households have voted in favour of the HIP.

If you want to go for the optional improvements or EASE items, you can opt in during the polling period.

You’ll be given another 6 weeks to make your selection of optional items, by

• Using the E-Opting System via ‘My HDBPage’ at www.hdb.gov.sg

• Or looking for a Public Relations Officer at the HDB Information Centre

For more information about HIP, visit the HDB website.