Accommodation

Housing Development Board (HDB) Flats

More than 80% of Singaporeans stay in HDB flats.

This is our version of public housing that is totally different from the usual public housing that you hear of or see in Hong Kong, USA, Europe or China.

These HDB flats are good quality well built and immaculately maintained government subsidised housing. Very close to the specifications of a condominium but without perimeter fencing and private facilities like swimming pool, club house, tennis courts or a gym. These HDB flats are purchased and owned.

In the early days, pigeon holes were used to describe HDB flats by visitors to Singapore. From afar, HDB flats do resemble pigeon holes. Back in the 70s, the main driving force behind HDB flats was to provide Singaporeans with basic housing and nice design was not a priority.

Affluent Singapore today has seen substantial changes in HDB flats design matching those of private condominiums and the introduction of Executive Condominiums (EC), hybrid housing between HDB flats and condominiums.

The sight of clothes hanging on bamboo poles sticking outside the kitchen windows of HDB flats will surprise many. This is the signature of HDB living and is a sight to behold. Imagine an entire HDB flat on a sunny day with bamboo poles full of clothes sticking out of every unit. And yes, you guessed it, undergarments included. What a sight!

Singapore has a lot of sunshine throughout the year and using dryers is not common here. The norm is to hang out the clothes on bamboo poles outside the kitchen windows catching the sunlight to dry our clothes. On average, a HDB unit can hang 4 to 5 bamboo poles worth of clothes.

This is not the case in apartments and condominiums. Bamboo poles are still used but are hung up in the yard or washing area within the unit.

For landed properties, it is entirely up to you.