HDB Renovation Permit: What HDB Actually Approves

HDB Renovation permits cover a clear set of approved works, but the line between what's allowed and what's flat-out banned trips up plenty of first-time owners. Since 1 October 2024, every renovation contract worth S$5,000 or more must go through a CaseTrust Renovation Fee Protection Scheme (RFPS) registered contractor, so the money side is better protected than it used to be. The approval rules themselves, though, haven't loosened. Knowing exactly what HDB signs off on saves you from paying for works that will never pass inspection, or worse, having to hack things back out after a failed check.

What Your HDB Renovation Permit Approves

Most cosmetic and fitted works sail through. You can lay new floor tiles (beyond what's already provided), build custom carpentry like wardrobes and kitchen cabinets, paint, install built-in storage, change internal non-structural partitions, and replace doors and window grilles inside the flat. Electrical rewiring, new lighting points, and air-conditioning trunking are all permitted too, provided a qualified contractor does the job.

We've seen plenty of owners assume the permit is a rubber stamp. It isn't. HDB checks the submitted plans against its structural records, and your contractor handles the application through HDB's online system. The permit is tied to specific works, so adding a "while you're at it" job later means a fresh submission.

The Hard No-Go Rules

These are the ones that get people into trouble, and HDB does not bend on them:

• Structural walls, beams, and columns: never to be hacked. They carry the building's load, and tampering risks the whole block.
• Toilets: you cannot shift a toilet's position. The parapet wall and floor trap stay put — no hacking or relocating them.
• Windows facing the common corridor: you can't change the colour or material without HDB approval. The original look has to be kept.
• Main door: its position can't be shifted. You may change the leaf, but not where it sits.

Owners sometimes ask if they can knock a wall "just a little" to widen a room. The answer is no if it's structural, and your contractor's HDB records will flag it before you start. Better to design around it.

Who Applies, and When

The contractor applies on your behalf — you can't submit it yourself, and you can't engage an unregistered contractor for regulated works. New flat owners apply within three months of collecting their keys; resale buyers have three months from the resale completion date. Miss the window and you'll need to explain the delay, so it pays to line up your contractor early.

One thing we remind clients: the three-month clock starts ticking the moment you get keys, not when you feel like starting. Plan the design discussion before collection if you can.

Permit Validity and the Inspection Window

An approved permit is valid for three months from the date of approval. Every bit of renovation and the HDB post-renovation inspection must happen inside that window. If works overrun, you're looking at an extension request or a fresh permit, so realistic scheduling matters more than optimism.

For most 4-room or 5-room jobs, three months is tight but workable if the carpentry is ordered early. We've found that getting measurements locked in during the hacking phase keeps the timeline honest.

Getting Your Deposit Back

HDB collects a renovation deposit to discourage illegal works: S$500 for flats up to 3-room, and S$1,000 for 4-room and larger. After your renovation, HDB inspects the flat. If nothing illegal turns up, the deposit is refunded. If something's off, you'll be told to make good before any money comes back.

Keep your approved plan handy during the inspection. Matching the finished work to what was submitted is the fastest route to a clean pass and a returned deposit.

Whether you're fitting out a fresh BTO or refreshing a resale, the permit is the backbone of a lawful, stress-free project. Taking time to understand what HDB approves helps you plan custom carpentry, wardrobes, and a kitchen that truly fit your home without crossing a line you can't undo.