HDB Ceiling Leak - Who Pays

Singapore HDB Ceiling Leak Nightmare: Who Pays for the Waterproofing, You or the Town Council?

A ceiling leak in your HDB flat is more than just a watermark; it’s a terrifying sign of impending damage, a risk to your electronics, and a source of constant stress. Before you rush to call a contractor or point fingers, you need to understand one crucial thing: In an HDB flat, the person responsible for the repair depends entirely on the location of the leak.

Here is the definitive guide to who is responsible, who pays, and the invaluable scheme that makes fixing it more affordable.

Scenario 1: The Most Common Problem - Inter-Floor Leakage (Ceiling Leak)

This is the classic scenario: you live on the lower floor and have a leak coming from the ceiling of your bathroom, kitchen, or bedroom, meaning the water is originating from your upstairs neighbour’s floor.

The Goodwill Repair Assistance (GRA) Scheme

The GRA scheme is HDB’s way of helping residents resolve inter-floor leaks due to natural wear and tear (i.e., the old waterproofing membrane has failed).

1. HDB Pays 50%: HDB will pay half of the repair cost.
2. You and Your Neighbour Share the Rest: The remaining 50% is split equally between the upper-floor and lower-floor flat owners.

The Bottom Line Cost to You: If you use the GRA scheme, you typically only pay 25% of the total repair cost.

What the GRA Covers

The GRA scheme covers the technical repair of the floor slab and the re-waterproofing membrane in the upper-floor unit's wet areas. It also includes the reinstatement of the ceiling in the lower-floor unit (skim coating, sealing, and painting).

What the GRA DOES NOT Cover

Any damage to your personal fixtures or fittings is not covered by the scheme. This includes:

• Water damage to your cabinets.
• Stains on wallpaper.
• Replacement of light fittings.
• Damaged shower screens.

You will need to sort out the cost of these damages privately with your neighbour.

Scenario 2: The Top-Floor Resident - The Roof Leak

If you live on the highest floor of your HDB block and you notice a leak coming from your ceiling, the responsibility shifts completely.

Scenario 3: External Walls, Corridor Ceilings, and Spalling Concrete

If the leak is not coming from the flat above you, but from a common area structure, the Town Council is generally the party to call.

The Crucial First Steps: Your Action Plan

Ref: Identifying and Fixing Ceiling Leaks Before anyone starts waterproofing, a proper investigation is mandatory. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Document Everything

Take clear photos and videos of the damaged ceiling, active water dripping, and any secondary damage to your furniture or walls. This evidence is crucial for establishing the severity and timeframe of the issue.

2. Approach Your Neighbour Amicably (Inter-Floor Leak)

HDB’s primary advice is always to talk to your upstairs neighbour first.

• You will both need to agree to cooperate to allow the contractor access to the upper unit (usually the bathroom) to conduct a water ponding test or other investigations.
• If your neighbour refuses to cooperate, you can seek assistance from your HDB Branch or the Grassroots Leaders in your area to mediate. HDB has the authority to issue an order for investigation and repair.

3. Know the Cause (And Who Pays the Full Price)

The GRA scheme (50% HDB, 25% You, 25% Neighbour) only applies to leaks caused by wear and tear.

If the investigation proves that the leak was caused by:

• Faulty renovation works carried out by the upper-floor owner (e.g., hacking the floor without proper re-waterproofing).
• The installation of a specific fixture in the upper-floor unit.

...then the upper-floor flat owner will be fully responsible for rectifying the leak and bearing the full cost of repair.

Summary Table: Who Pays in an HDB Flat?

The ultimate takeaway? Don't let the problem fester. The moment you see a stain, initiate contact with your neighbour and the HDB Branch. Acting fast is the only way to minimise cost and prevent the nightmare from turning into a structural catastrophe.