During the BTO unit’s Defects Liability Period (DLP), every new precinct gets a Building Service Centre (BSC) presence which lasts for one year and coincides with the one-year duration of the DLP. 

You will find an elaboration on the DLP in this article, “Understanding the Defects Liability Period (DLP).” All newly built HDB flats have a one-year Defects Liability Period, and the effectivity date is also the date when you receive the key to your housing unit. Throughout the one-year period of the DLP, any repairs or necessary adjustments to your home are covered by the BSC–and that is why the BSC maintains a presence in your precinct. Once the DLP period passes, you will have to hire a contractor to do the repairs on your flat.

Another important thing to consider for new and would-be BTO flat owners is the joint BSC inspection. This article, “How To Arrange for a Joint BSC Inspection,” discusses this aspect in detail. Essentially, the joint BSC inspection is a response to a flat-owner’s rectification request. A rectification request is where various BTO construction defects are laid out and reported. You have the option of either sending a rectification request online through the BSC portal or filing it in person at the nearest BSC office in your precinct. And it does help a whole lot to have the convenience of a BSC presence for an entire year in your precinct, but you might want to get a head start on your home inspection for a smoother, minimal paperwork-back-and-forths, and more-efficient move to your new BTO or newly renovated flat. As much as possible, please consider filing a report within one month of your Defects Liability Period start date and before the beginning of any renovation because the BSC usually takes around two weeks to rectify reported defects and faults.