Explainer

7 HDB Rules You Should Know To Avoid Flouting The Law Or Getting Neighbour Complaints

13 August 2021 | BY

Though most of us grew up in HDBs, we may not know that there are a few rules that we could be in danger of flouting. Here’s how to avoid a run in with the law.

HDB rules in singapore

So you’ve just applied for a BTO or you’re a seasoned homeowner doing some renovations and looking forward to your brand new HDB. Before you go all out, why not use the time to brush up on some of the rules and regulations of your dream home.

Our HDB blocks are the kampungs of our generation and there’s no better way to foster neighborly spirits than making sure you don’t step on anyone’s toes – or worse, risk getting into trouble with the authorities. If you don’t want your neighbors to close the lift doors on you every time they see you approaching, make sure to keep these rules in mind.

1. No hanging of wet laundry

hdb rules on hanging laundryImage credit: Kenneth Tan

This should be a no-brainer for people with basic manners, but you would be surprised by the number of times some of us wake up to find the clothes we’ve hung out to dry overnight dripping wet.

The HDB rules state that you cannot hang wet clothes or dripping mops outside the window. Instead, ensure that all items are wrung dry first before hanging them out in the sun. Nobody likes to have their squeaky clean laundry being “rained on by their neighbour’s hand-washed clothes.

2. No renting of HBDs to visitors

renting hdb roomsImage credit: ready jet roam

If you have empty rooms in your home, you may be tempted to turn your HDB into a side hustle and advertise on shady rental sites. However, this is actually illegal under the HDB rental rules, as rental of HDBs has to be at least six months long.

Even if your tenants decide to stay for half a year, there are other restrictions you need to follow, such as the number of people allowed to stay. For a one or two room flat, a total of four tenants are allowed while a three room or bigger allows a maximum of six tenants.

3. No running a large scale business from your HDB

baking in hdbImage credit: Eatbook

You may have noticed an uptick of home baking posts on social media, as the circuit breaker last year has taught a lot of people, myself included, how to bake small pastries to pass the time. Some of the more ambitious have even started their own home baking business right out of their HDB.

While small scale businesses such as private tuition or baking your own cookies and selling are okay, medium to larger enterprises are generally forbidden. This is because certain business activities may cause disturbances to the neighbours, especially if it involves the use of heavy equipment or appliances not intended for home usage. 

Another rule is not to advertise your business around the housing premises. Putting up sign boards outside the door or even distributing pamphlets at your lift lobby is considered illegal according to HDB rules.

4. Keep noise levels down between 10.30PM to 7.00AM

While you may not be punished by the law for being a nuisance, this is more of a basic courtesy towards your neighbors. Unless you’re going to share your winnings, nobody wants to be woken up in the middle of the night to the sound of mahjong tiles being shuffled around.

If you are a night cat, don’t fret because here are some tips you can follow to minimise the noise level: 

  • Wear headphones when watching shows, playing audio from your TV/computer. 
  • Use rubber stoppers on the bottom of the furniture so that they don’t make noise when sliding them around. 
  • This can be applied to the edges of doors, so that when you close a door it doesn’t make a loud bang. 
  • Do it the next day: you don’t really need to make a smoothie at this time right?

And if you’re carrying out renovation works, there are certain timings to watch out for. Noisy renovation works (such as demolishing of walls) can only take place between 9.00AM and 5.00PM on weekdays while weekends, public holidays, and eve of major holidays are off-limits. 

5. No obstructing the corridor with shoe racks

shoe rack hdbYou’re not allowed add decor by drilling or tampering with the wall outside your main door
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

None of us likes to track mud into the house with our dirty shoes, which is why we have designated shoe racks outside the home. But it’s important that the shoe rack we choose does not obstruct the entire corridor. The law states that a clear width of 1.2M must be maintained.

This is in case of a fire emergency and people need to evacuate quickly. This not only extends to shoe racks, but other items like potted plants and laundry racks are also not permitted if they exceed the stated width. Ultimately, no one likes to die in a fire because they couldn’t get past your Victoria’s Secret catalogue hanging in the corridor.

6. No installation of unauthorized CCTV cameras

cctv hdbImage credit: SQ Feed

For those who are unfortunate enough to have their shoes or laundry stolen from the corridor before, installing CCTVs might seem like an obvious solution. However, it’s actually illegal to install a camera facing the common areas at the main door. This is to protect the privacy of your neighbors.

The only time you can install them is when you’re facing safety issues, such as being bothered by loan sharks. Once you’ve filed the police report and get the proper authorisation, then you can have the cameras fitted. In addition, approved CCTVs can only be installed on the main door and must not face the door or windows of another flat. It should also be removed after a period of six months.

7. No smoking outside your house, at the void deck or stairwell

Smokers should take note of this, as you’re only allowed to smoke inside of your house. This is because everywhere else is considered illegal as they are no-smoke zones according to the smoking act by NEA.

No-smoke zones include common corridors, staircase landings, stairwells, and the void deck. Nobody likes the smell of secondhand smoke, so be a considerate neighbor and smoke inside the house. 

HDB rules people often don’t know of

hdb rulesImage credit: Wikimedia Commons

Jesus once said to love thy neighbor as thyself, which means that unless you like to step on puddles of pee in the elevator, it’s best to be considerate to others and have some basic manners.

Most of us grew up living in HDB flats, so some of these rules might be familiar. However, it’s still good now and again to have a refresher so that we can avoid getting into trouble with the law and spoiling our goodwill with the people who live beside us.

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