Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP)

The LUP upgrades lift services to achieve direct lift access on every floor where feasible, thus enhancing residents’ convenience. Here, you can learn more about the lift upgrading process, view upcoming polling events and results, and find out the billing dates for the various precincts.

What is the LUP?

The LUP was introduced so that residents can access their homes conveniently, especially the elderly, mobile impaired, and families with young children.

HDB blocks built decades ago were not provided with complete lift access, however, under the LUP now, older HDB blocks are upgraded to provide direct lift access through the upgrading of existing lifts. New lift shafts and lifts will be provided where technically and economically feasible.

Cost and subsidy

Here are the payment schemes for Singapore Citizen and Singapore Permanent Resident households.

Singapore citizen households

All flat owners who stand to benefit from the lift upgrading will need to pay the upgrading costs.

With the Government subsidising a large portion of the cost and the Town Council paying a portion of the remainder, flat owners will only need pay up to a maximum of $3,000 (subject to GST). The actual cost will depend on the flat type and block configuration. 

Singapore permanent resident households 

Singapore permanent resident households need to pay the full upgrading cost, without subsidies. However, if any flat owner obtains Singapore Citizenship within one year from the date of billing, they can be reimbursed with the upgrading subsidy. They can also convert the interest scheme of their instalment payment plan from our market interest rate to a concessionary interest rate.

Find out more about these schemes:

How does the LUP work?

We will first identify the HDB blocks that require lift upgrading, and this is followed by a polling exercise. Lift upgrading will only proceed when at least 75% of your block’s eligible Singapore citizen households are in favour of it.

Step 1: Identifying HDB blocks that require lift upgrading

When selecting blocks for lift upgrading, we take into account:

  • Age of the block
  • Residents’ needs
  • Technical viability
  • Cost

Step 2: Polling by the residents within the identified HDB flat

If your precinct is selected for the LUP:

  • A poll will be conducted
  • An exhibition will be held during the polling exercise to display lift upgrading proposals and plans
  • All eligible Singapore citizen households must poll to indicate whether each flat owner is in favour of the LUP
    • Eligible households are those that have at least one flat owner holding Singapore citizenship

For lift upgrading to proceed in your block, at least 75% of your block’s eligible Singapore citizen households must vote in favour of the programme.

 

Disclaimer:

The contents of this video (the “Content”) may not include all information relating to the matters covered herein. HDB reserves all rights to change HDB’s requirements, policies, procedures and/or practices and to modify the Content, at any time and at HDB’s sole discretion. HDB disclaims liability for errors and/or omissions in the Content and any loss suffered by any person or party arising from the usage of and/or reliance on the Content. To seek clarification of the Content, please visit www.hdb.gov.sg  to obtain HDB’s contact details.

Step 3: Proceeding with lift upgrading

Lift construction typically involves detection and diversion works, micro-piling, lift shaft installation, and upgrading of existing lifts.

Services detection and diversion works

Before construction for a new lift begins, we will work with the various service agencies to detect and divert existing underground cables and pipes, to make way for the new lift shaft. The diversion works will last about 6 months to a year. During this time, slight disruption to water, electricity, gas, and telephone services is expected because of the need to reconnect these services.

Lift upgrading programme

Micro-piling

To support the new lift shaft, piling may be carried out. Micro-piling machines that are relatively quiet are used to reduce disturbance to residents.

Lift upgrading programme

Lift shaft installation

Lift shaft installation is done using either precast components or steel. Initially, the lift shaft components are hoisted using lift cranes. A mobile working platform will then be erected next to the new lift shaft to facilitate jointing and painting the precast components. Installation can be carried out faster for steel shafts as their lighter weight enables them to be jointed in stacks of three or four floors. For a typical high-rise HDB block, the lift shaft can be installed in one day. Safety precautions will be taken during each installation.

Next, lift parts will be installed, along with architectural, mechanical, and electrical works. The new lift will be rigorously tested before it becomes available for public use.

About one year is needed from the start of piling, to the time the lift becomes operational.

Here are some images showing precast lift shaft installation and steel lift shaft installation:

Lift upgrading programme
Precast lift shaft installation.

Lift upgrading programme
Steel lift shaft installation.

Upgrading of existing lifts

Once the new lift is operational, we will begin upgrading the existing lifts. This usually takes around nine months, and one of the existing lifts may be permanently shut down.

In general, after upgrading, you will enjoy faster lifts with improved lighting.

This infographic summarises what goes on in an LUP.

What goes on in LUP

Step 4: Paying your upgrading cost

You can read more on how you can pay your upgrading cost, as well as the types of financial assistance available.

Lift access Housing Grant

Singapore Citizen flat owners in urgent need of direct lift access due to mobility reasons or medical conditions affecting their mobility, may be eligible for the Lift access Housing Grant (LHG) to help them buy an HDB flat with direct lift access.

Your household may be eligible for the LHG if you:
  • Have mobility reasons or medical conditions affecting mobility
  • Do not have direct lift access
  • Live in a block where the Lift Upgrading Programme is not feasible
Eligible Singaporean families and single Singapore Citizens will receive the LHG of up to $30,000 and $15,000, respectively, to buy either a resale flat or a new flat from HDB with direct lift access.
To qualify for the full amount of the LHG, the alternative flat with direct lift access must have sufficient remaining lease to cover the youngest buyer and spouse/ fiancé(e) to the age of 95 and above. Otherwise, the grant amount will be pro-rated.
If you or your household members have mobility reasons or medical conditions affecting mobility, and urgently need direct lift access, you may approach your managing HDB Branch for assistance. You will need to produce one of the following documents to certify the medical conditions or mobility reasons:
  • Doctor’s certification that the person is wheelchair-bound or has difficulty navigating stairs due to prolonged illness
  • Functional Assessment Report certifying that the person as having mobility difficulties or require mobility assistance
*Note: A Functional Assessment Report assesses a person’s need for assistance with the Activities of Daily Living (“ADLs”). It must be endorsed by a qualified assessor such as a Singapore Medical Council fully registered doctor.

Find out more details about the LUP for your precinct.

Upcoming polling

See which precincts have been shortlisted for LUP polling.

Batch Precinct Polling Dates
13 Blk 176 Woodlands Street 13 25 Feb 2023

 

Polling results

Batch Precinct Polling Dates
13 Blks 115 & 119 Marsiling Rise 23 to 24 Dec 2022

 

Scheduled billing dates

Here are the precincts scheduled for billing in the coming months.

Subscribe to our eAlert service to receive email notifications when a newly upgraded precinct is scheduled for billing. For precincts that are still undergoing upgrading, billing is not expected to take place within the next 3 months (subject to change).

These precincts are scheduled for billing in the coming months:

Precinct

Branch In Charge

Scheduled Billing Date
Blk 69 Moulmein Road Toa Payoh 20 Dec 2021

Blk 201 - 204, 207, 209, 210, 214 - 221, 230, 231, 235, 237 - 239 Choa Chua Kang Central / Ave 1

 Choa Chu Kang  20 Mar 2022
Blk 501 & 505 West Coast Dr  Clementi 20 Mar 2022 
Blk 721, 725 & 727 Clementi West St 2  Clementi 20 Mar 2022

Disclaimer:

You will only need to pay the lift upgrading cost after the upgrading works in the precinct are completed and if you are the flat owner at the date of billing. Billing will only occur after the upgrading costs for the precinct and the flat owners' share of the upgrading costs are finalised.

The time frame provided is an estimate and the information does not take into account any change that may occur subsequently. Please check with HDB on the exact billing date and if the information provided herein applies to your circumstances.

Your use of and/or reliance on all or any part of the information relating to the Lift Upgrading Programme contained in the HDB InfoWEB (the “Content”) is subject to your full acceptance of the Terms of Use of the HDB InfoWEB.

To seek clarification of the Content, please visit www.hdb.gov.sg to obtain HDB’s contact details.

 

For more information, you can refer to our LUP FAQ booklet.

Note: The information contained in this booklet (the “Content”) is current at the time of printing and is subject to change as may be required by the relevant authorities and/or at the sole discretion of HDB. The Content may not include all information relating to the matters covered herein. HDB reserves all rights to change HDB’s requirements, policies, procedures and/or practices and to modify the Content, at any time and at HDB’s sole discretion. HDB disclaims liability for errors and/or omissions in the Content and any loss suffered by any person or party arising from the usage of and/or reliance on the Content. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this booklet in whole or in part without written permission from HDB is strictly prohibited. To seek clarification of the Content, please visit www.hdb.gov.sg to obtain HDB’s contact details.