Renovating During COVID

If you are planning your renovation, ensure that you are aware of your responsibilities as a flat owner. While renovations are allowed during the current COVID-19 situation, take note of the following to minimise disturbance to your neighbours.

• Noisy works that require excessive hacking and drilling are not allowed to be carried out on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays and eve of major public holidays
• Renovation works that require an HDB renovation permit have to be carried out within the stipulated renovation timings, while minor works can extend beyond the timings. Minor works, which do not require permits from HDB, are generally light in nature and pose no risk to the structural integrity of the building. Here are some examples:

• We strongly encourage you to inform your neighbours who live within a 2-unit radius at least 5 days before commencing any renovation works. This can be done through a written notice. This practice is mandatory for all contractors listed in the HDB Directory of Renovation Contractors.

Coping with your neighbour’s noisy renovation works

With more residents working from home, we understand that noise arising from renovation works may be disruptive. However, we seek your understanding and patience with owners who are also keen to complete their flat renovations early. Here are tips that you may find useful:

• Reach out to your neighbours and seek their understanding to avoid specific days or timeslots (e.g. if you have an important meeting or interview scheduled)
• If your neighbour’s renovation works cannot be rescheduled, you may consider returning to your office/ school or visiting the nearby Community Centre or library to carry out your work or study
• If necessary, approach your grassroots leader or other neighbours to act as a mediator when speaking with your neighbour
• You may also refer to the following article for tips on creating a conducive home office