Suspension of land sales for DBSS to continue

This follows the suspension of the DBSS land sales a year ago.

The DBSS was introduced in 2005 to give flat buyers more choices by allowing private developers to design and build some public flats.

The priority is to ramp up the supply of Build-To-Order flats and Executive Condominium units.

Mr Khaw was responding to a question by Member of Parliament (MP) Ang Hin Kee on whether MND has completed the review and if the review looks into how it will impact owners of DBSS flats.

Mr Khaw also spoke on HDB’s role. While HDB provides broad planning parameters such as the mix of flat sizes and range of social and community facilities, the developer is responsible for the design, construction quality and the pricing of the flat.

Nonetheless, HDB would actively engage the developers by sharing good practices and relevant experiences in public housing development.

HDB would also provide feedback to the developers and their consultants during both the design and the construction phase, with particular attention on safety, security and maintenance issues.

DBSS flats are sold directly by private developers to flat buyers, and any resolution of contractual disputes, including defects, rests with the buyer and developer.

But Mr Khaw said the government can play a role to help them, counsel them and advice them to resolve the conflicts. Whether the government can play a mediating role, it depends on what is the specific issue involved.

Responding to a Parliamentary question, Minister Khaw Boon Wan said that the Ministry of National Development (MND) is not rushing to complete the review of the Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS) for HDB flats.

He said, “But at the end of the day, I think that we must be mindful that it is a contractual obligation between the buyer and seller. But we can advice the residents, perhaps together with the local MP, to see what the problem is and whether there are ways to resolve some of the issues.”