Receiving the keys to your Build-to-Order (BTO) flat from the Housing and Development Board (HDB) represents a major milestone in homeownership in Singapore. For many, this marks the realization of a dream of buying their first home or upgrading to a larger space. The HDB BTO process is designed to ensure that new homeowners can live in comfortable, safe, and well-designed homes, but the journey does not end after the keys are handed over. In fact, the transition from receiving the keys to fully settling into your new home involves several important steps. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of what you need to do after retrieving your keys, covering everything from key collection to long-term considerations like maintenance and upgrades. If you’re a new BTO homeowner, this article will help you navigate the tasks ahead.

Key collection is the final stage to the HDB flat-buying process, which involves fulfillment of the eligibility requirements and selecting an available public housing unit. You will, of course, receive notification of your key-collection appointment schedule after you’ve gone through and completed the multistage HDB flat-buying process, which consists of:

• Knowing your options regarding flat and loan eligibility conditions, as well as accomplishing the HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) Letter. In our “Fire Safety Insurance for Your HDB BTO Flat” article, we covered the fire safety insurance requirement for an HDB loan application.

• Finding and selecting an HDB housing unit based on your budgetary considerations. This can be done online through the My Flat Dashboard. You can choose between a new or resale flat, with each choice involving a different buying procedure: “Buying Procedure for New Flats” and “Buying Procedure for Resale Flats.” 

• Showing up at the key-collection appointment with all the mandatory requirements, which are:
  • Identification cards. For married couples, both husband and wife must present their identification cards during the key-collection appointment date.
  • Certificate of insurance from FWD Singapore Pte Ltd (FWD), the insurer contracted by the HDB. This paperwork is only necessary if you are applying for an HDB housing loan.
  • Accomplished GIRO form. Print out the form that you downloaded from the HDB website, and then sign it. This documentation is needed if you opt to pay monthly loan installments or fully by cash.
  • Power of attorney. This is only necessary if you cannot attend the appointment yourself.

All in all, once you receive notification from the HDB that your BTO flat is ready for occupancy, you will be scheduled to collect the keys at your designated HDB branch. The key collection process is pretty much straightforward but has specific steps. At the HDB office, you will go through an administrative process where you will verify your identity and confirm your purchase. HDB staff will issue the keys to your new flat, along with important documents such as your Certificate of Completion and any other relevant paperwork.

Now that you finally got your keys from the HDB, there is no doubt you are eager to prepare for the exhilarating move into your newly renovated BTO home. But wait up, see if there are any vital steps you might have missed and could potentially become a source of headache for you later on. In this article, we will guide you through the ins and outs of the critical period right after receiving your keys from the HDB.

This serves as your handy checklist before moving in to your new BTO flat:

▢ Confirm the completion and activation of all necessary utilities like electricity and water supply. This step can easily be done online through the SP Services Portal. In our “How To Turn On Utilities for a New Home” article, we covered the step-by-step of this process.

▢ Prepare to check your new home for defects. This preliminary inspection is incredibly important since you will only have one year of Building Service Centre (BSC) coverage for any repairs or necessary adjustments to your flat. Our “Understanding the Defects Liability Period (DLP)” article covers this fully. You might also want to study the intricacies of the BTO rectification process. Our “How To Arrange for a Joint BSC Inspection” and “How Long Will the BSC Operation Last at My Precinct” articles attempted to answer some questions that you might have regarding your move to your new flat. And during your preliminary inspection, you can do a competent job of checking your new home for defects. We prepared three articles that will point you in the right direction: “Top Three Wall Socket Defects To Check in Your New BTO Unit,” “Top Four Potential Fire and Electrical Hazards in Your HDB Flat,” and “Potential Water Piping and Plumbing Defects in Your HDB Flat.” For meticulously detailed documentations of common defects in specific public housing blocks, check out our “Common Defects” section, where we feature a series of articles and photographs showing common home defects found in Tampines Greencrest, Forett at Bukit Merah, Alkaff Breeze, and Tengah Vines, among others.

▢ Try to clean and sanitize your new home, especially if any construction residue is left over.

▢ Consider the logistics of your move. This includes planning your furniture wrapping and moving boxes accordingly to avoid any stress.

At this point, you should have already inspected your new flat carefully and noted any minor defects, which should be reported to the HDB to be rectified. The flat will come with essential fixtures, but any additional items such as kitchen appliances or bathroom accessories should be added after the inspection. If you are renovating your flat, this is the time to engage licensed contractors and interior designers. The renovation process can be exciting but requires careful planning. Similarly, you will need a moving company to assist with transporting your belongings into your new space.

Note that during the rectification and renovation process, your BTO unit will be completely open and accessible to contractors for any work done. Take care and refrain from leaving valuables such as your television set, gaming controls, ovens, and other expensive items. There are cases involving missing items and lack of accountability related to the missing goods.

Not all BTO homeowners plan to do renovations right away, but many opt to do so after getting their keys and taking possession of their flat. Renovating your BTO unit allows you to personalize your living space, but it is important to follow HDB’s guidelines on renovations:

• Check first with the HDB about the necessary approvals for any renovations. Some works require approval, such as changes to the layout or structural modifications.
• Renovation works such as hacking walls, installing built-in furniture, or changing flooring may require permits. The permits are downloadable through the HDB website. Be sure to get these approved by the HDB before starting any work.
• Engage licensed contractors who are familiar with HDB guidelines. Only those who are registered with the BCA can carry out approved renovations.
• Depending on the scope of your renovation, you may be required to apply for renovation permits. This will involve additional costs and paperwork, which can take time to process.

After the physical move into your newly renovated (if you did renovate your) flat, it is time to settle into your vibrant new community and home. Here are some tips that might help you get settled:

• Don’t forget to inform relevant parties about your change of address. This includes updating your address with the Singapore Post, banks, schools, and other service providers.
• You might consider joining the Residents’ Networks (RN) and getting involved in neighborhood events. Many new homeowners enjoy participating in community activities as the social interactions can be incredibly enriching. 
• Install home security features like locks and alarm systems if needed, and get familiar with the built-in fire safety protocols in your building and perhaps throughout the public housing block where your flat is situated.

One of the advantages of a new BTO flat is that it comes with a defects liability period, which allows you to report defects and request repairs.  This typically lasts for a year after key collection, during which the HDB will repair any defects related to the construction of the flat. So if you find any defects in the first year, you can report them to the HDB via their official channels online or to the nearest branch. Some issues that homeowners encounter include plumbing or electrical faults. Ensure you follow the correct procedures to avoid delays. And report issues in a timely manner so that they can be resolved while under warranty.

As you settle into your new home, there are long-term considerations to think about. These might include home maintenance, future upgrades or renovations, and maybe even selling your beautifully upgraded flat. Regular cleaning, minor repairs, and the upkeep of your flat are important to maintain its condition. Each time, try to always check with HDB if you are unsure about what maintenance work is permitted. As your family grows or needs change, you may decide to make further upgrades or renovations. So make sure that you get the necessary approvals for any structural changes. And, if you are considering selling your BTO flat in the future, familiarize yourself with HDB’s resale procedures and eligibility criteria.