80% of Singaporeans stay in HDB housing estates. Lift maintenance, void deck cleaning, and fumigation are sights that we take for granted in the background of our daily lives. Yet, these are services that our town councils maintain on the estate’s behalf and where our Service and Conservancy Charges (S&CC) goes to.
While people often discuss the maintenance fees of condominiums, living in an HDB also incurs a less costly equivalent of maintenance fees – Service & Conservancy Charges (S&CC). Here’s how much Service & Conservancy Charges (S&CC) you pay each month depending on where you stay and how much you will receive in rebates.
What Is The Service & Conservancy Charges (S&CC) And What Does It Cover?
The Service & Conservancy Charges (S&CC) are fees collected by the Town Council to fund the management, maintenance and improvement of common property within the estates governed by the Town Council.
The S&CC covers:
- cleaning works to maintain estate hygiene such as sweeping and washing of common areas
- horticulture maintenance such as grass cutting, pruning and landscaping works,
- conservancy services such as refuse collection and pest control services,
- building maintenance such as minor repairs to buildings e.g. plastering,
- maintenance of mechanical and electrical services such as lifts, pumps and lightings,
- periodic servicing and testing such as lift servicing, sterilising of water tanks and testing of water samples
Of the funds that the town council collects (including S&CC), 26% goes into Sinking Fund which is reserved for long-term cyclical replacements and major repairs, such as cyclical repainting, and renewal or replacement of the roofing system, pumps and water supply system, and electrical supply system and 14% goes to Lift Replacement Fund which is reserved for replacement of lifts and lift upgrading works.
Read Also: Singaporeans’ Guide To Understanding Town Councils And Their Service & Conservancy Charges
Different Town Councils Charge Different Service and Conservancy Charges (S&CC)
While you may think that all HDBs have the same S&CC, the fact is that the different town councils have the right to charge different rates. Depending on the GRC you live in, you belong to the different town councils and will be charged different rates, based on your location, flat type and eligibility for reduced rates.
There are two rates for S&CC: reduced/ subsidised rate and one normal rate.
Reduced/ subsidised rates apply to HDB units where at least one owner, tenant or essential occupier is Singaporean and none of the owner, tenant or essential occupier owns private property.
S&CC Reduced Rates
Note: Aljunied-Hougang Town Council has a slightly lower rate for HDBs in the Kaki Bukit division. DBSS, other flat types and commercial units are not included in this table. At the time of writing, Sengkang Town Council has not released information regarding their S&CC rates.
Normal (unsubsidised) rates apply to HDB units where 1) none of the owners, tenants or essential occupiers are Singaporean, 2) any owner, tenant or essential occupier owns private property, 3) the unit is owned by or rented to a body corporate or 4) the unit is vacant.
S&CC Normal Rates
Note: Aljunied-Hougang Town Council has a slightly lower rate for HDBs in the Kaki Bukit division. DBSS, other flat types and commercial units are not included in this table. At the time of writing, Sengkang Town Council has not released information regarding their S&CC rates.
If you own an investment property and stay in an HDB, you have to pay the normal (unsubsidised) S&CC rates.
You Can Receive Up To 3.5 months of Service and Conservancy Charges (S&CC) Rebates
For FY2023
As part of the permanent GSTV scheme that was announced last year, eligible Singaporean households in HDB flats will continue to receive between 1.5 and 3.5 months of S&CC rebates over the course of 2023. You can check how much your household is eligible to receive via the Support For You Calculator, an initiative by LifeSG and GovTech.
For FY2022
From FY2022, the S&CC rebates will be rolled into the permanent GSTV scheme. Eligible HDB households will receive between 1.5 to 3.5 months of S&CC rebates in FY2022 and this is expected to benefit 950,000 Singaporean households.
For FY2021
[Update] Under Budget 2021’s Household Support Package, the S&CC rebates will be extended for another year. This is expected to benefit about 950,000 Singaporean households.
For FY2020
As part of Budget 2020’s Care and Support Package, 940,000 HDB households would receive $134 million worth of Service and Conservancy Charges rebates in the 2020 financial year, starting from April 2020 to March 2021, to help households cope with household expenses.
Source: Singapore Budget
In general, 1-room and 2-room flats receive the most rebates (3.5 months) while executive/ multi-generation flats receive the least rebates (1.5 months). Most households will receive about 2 to 2.5 months of S&CC rebates or close to $100 in rebates.
If you (or your household members) own private property, or you have rented out the entire flat, you are not eligible for the S&CC rebate.
Read Also: Complete Guide To Choosing The Best Open Electricity Market (OEM) Plan For Your Home
What Happens If You Don’t Pay Your Service & Conservancy Charges?
All Town Councils charge a late penalty fee for non-payment of S&CC fees, ranging from $1 to 2% of the S&CC. Most Town Councils allow for one month’s grace period where the penalty fee is waived if you pay within a month from the due date.
For continued non-payment, it is an offence to fail to pay charges and interest due within 14 days of being served with a written demand. You can be arrested and fined a fine, not exceeding $1,000. Town Councils can also undertake steps to recover arrears by bringing the case to a Small Claims Tribunal, applying to the Courts for a writ of seizure and sale of movable property belonging to the owner, and even imposing a legal charge to dispose of the flat.
In light of COVID-19 impact on the economy, some Town Councils are allowing a deferment of S&CC and waiver of late penalty fees. Please check with your Town Council for details.
Read Also: What You Need To Know About MAS’ Newly-Announced Bank Loan And Insurance Premium Payment Deferments
In general, Town Councils are genuinely helpful to residents facing financial difficulties, so speak to your resident MP or approach your Town Council regarding your options if you cannot afford to pay your S&CC.
Read Also: Guide To Government Support Schemes For Singaporeans Who Are Retrenched In 2020
This article was originally published on 29 October 2020 and updated to reflect the Budget 2022 changes.
The post How Much Service & Conservancy Charges (S&CC) Do You Pay Each Month (And Rebates You Receive)? appeared first on DollarsAndSense.sg.
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