Short answer: inspect your flat thoroughly in the first days after key collection and report defects to the Building Service Centre (BSC) before renovation begins. Then take measurements and photos and plan your works. Starting renovation first can make it hard to claim defects later.

Why the first weeks matter

New BTO flats come with a Defects Liability Period (DLP) of one year from key collection, during which HDB rectifies defects you report. Defects are common: in March 2026, the Minister for National Development said an average of 65% of new BTO owners reported defects during the DLP over the past five years, although most were minor.

The catch is timing. Once renovation starts, it becomes hard to tell whether a defect was there from the start or caused by works. Guides recommend reporting defects before any renovation, ideally within the first week or two.

Step 1: inspect the flat

Take your time and go room by room. Bring a torch, a coin or tapping tool, masking tape to mark defects, and a phone charger for testing sockets.

Walls and ceilings

- Cracks, uneven paint, stains or signs of damp - Gaps between walls and ceilings, or along skirting

Floors and tiles

- Tap tiles for hollow sounds, which can mean poor bonding - Chips, cracks and uneven or lifted tiles - Floor falls in bathrooms and the kitchen: water should flow to the drain

Windows and doors

- Open and close every window, check locks and rubber seals - Doors close properly, hinges and handles secure - Gaps or scratches on frames and glass

Plumbing

- Run every tap, check water pressure and look for leaks underneath - Flush toilets and check for slow drainage - Look at the ceiling under bathrooms for stains

Electrical

- Test every socket and switch - Check the distribution board is labelled and accessible

Step 2: report defects

Use the defects feedback form from your key collection pack and submit it to the BSC, which is usually on site near the new blocks. Photograph each defect with masking tape marks, keep copies, and follow up on repairs. Inspect the repairs before signing them off.

HDB also provides longer warranties for some issues, such as ceiling leaks in bathrooms and kitchens and external wall seepage. Note that the ceiling leak warranty ends if floor tiles are changed or the waterproofing is tampered with, which is one reason HDB restricts removing bathroom finishes in the first 3 years.

Step 3: measure and record

Before your designer or contractor visits, take:

  • Photos and video of every room, including the ceiling and windows
  • Key measurements: room lengths, ceiling height, window positions, the distribution board, water points and the gas point
  • Your floor plan, which shows structural walls that cannot be hacked

Step 4: plan the renovation in order

  1. Decide how you will use each room, then fix the layout and storage.
  2. Choose a design direction. Our design concepts cover 25 styles to start from.
  3. Get comparable quotations on the same scope. See how to compare renovation quotations.
  4. Let your HDB-registered contractor apply for any permits before works begin. See our HDB renovation permit guide.
  5. Schedule works with a buffer before move-in. See the renovation timeline.

How JIAHOME helps at key collection

The weeks after key collection are the perfect time to design. We turn your floor plan and measurements into 2D layouts and up to 10 3D views, so by the time defects are fixed you are ready to collect quotes. The first consultation is free. See our services.

Last updated 14 October 2026