How the Ballot and Selection Process Works for HDB Upgrading

A common point of confusion among HDB residents is whether there is a formal application process for NRP or HIP. The short answer is that there is not — at least not in the conventional sense. Residents do not submit applications or request inclusion. Instead, HDB identifies eligible blocks and precincts based on its own assessment criteria, and the resident's role comes in during the subsequent consultation and voting stages.

Understanding this distinction is useful because it shapes what residents can reasonably expect, and what actions — if any — they can take to influence the timeline or outcome.

Maisonette HDB flats, Serangoon North — Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA

Stage 1: HDB block selection

For both NRP and HIP, the process begins with HDB identifying which blocks are due for upgrading in a given period. This is an internal planning exercise that draws on several factors:

• Block age: Flats must generally have been built before a specified cut-off year (1986 for original HIP, 1997 for HIP II, and varying thresholds for NRP depending on the phase).
• Previous upgrades: Blocks that have already undergone comparable improvements — notably the Main Upgrading Programme — are typically excluded.
• Estate condition: HDB assessors evaluate the physical state of common areas and flat infrastructure to prioritise those with the most urgent needs.
• Town Council and MP input: Local Members of Parliament are routinely consulted during the selection process. Feedback from residents that reaches MPs through meet-the-people sessions can, in aggregate, influence prioritisation, though it does not guarantee a specific timeline.

Residents have limited visibility into where their block sits in the selection queue. HDB does not publish a ranked waiting list. The first formal notification residents typically receive is when their block has already been confirmed for an upcoming NRP or HIP cycle.

Stage 2: Resident notification

Once a block is confirmed for inclusion, HDB sends written notification to all flat owners at the registered address on file. This notification outlines the scope of planned works, a preliminary timeline, and details of any upcoming information sessions.

It is worth noting that notification goes to the flat owner, not necessarily the current occupant. Tenants renting their flat may not receive direct notification from HDB. In practice, landlords are expected to inform their tenants — but there is no formal mechanism that guarantees this happens promptly.

Stage 3: Information sessions and consultation

Before any ballot is held, HDB or the Town Council typically organises one or more briefing sessions. These may take place at the void deck of the block, at the nearby Community Centre, or in a combination of formats.

At these sessions, residents can expect:

• A presentation on what specific works are planned and why
• Indicative construction timelines, including when access to various flat areas may be required
• Information on cost, subsidies, and CPF usage for optional works (in the case of HIP)
• An opportunity to raise concerns or questions directly with HDB officers

The MP for the constituency is often present at these sessions, particularly for significant programmes in older estates. This provides another channel for residents to surface concerns, especially those that relate to precinct-wide changes under NRP.

Stage 4: The ballot (HIP)

For HIP specifically, a formal ballot must take place before works can proceed. Each flat owner in the block receives a ballot form and a defined voting window — typically a few weeks. The vote is a binary choice: in favour of or against proceeding with HIP for the block.

The 75% threshold is the operative figure. If at least three-quarters of flat owners vote in favour, works proceed across all flats in the block — including those whose owners voted against. If fewer than 75% vote in favour, the block does not enter HIP at that time.

Proxy voting and absent owners

Flat owners who are overseas, hospitalised, or otherwise unable to vote in person may authorise a proxy to vote on their behalf. HDB provides the required proxy form alongside the ballot notification. Owners who do not respond within the voting window are typically treated as abstentions rather than votes against, though the specific rules are confirmed in each round's notification materials.

What happens if the ballot fails?

A block that does not clear the 75% threshold in a given HIP round may be reconsidered in a future cycle. HDB does not make public commitments about when or whether a specific block will be reballoted. In practice, some blocks have gone through multiple ballots across different rounds before achieving the required threshold.

Stage 5: Selection of optional works (HIP)

After a successful ballot, flat owners who wish to include optional works in their HIP — such as bathroom upgrading or additional electrical points — are given a selection window. During this period, an HDB officer or contractor representative visits each flat, conducts a condition assessment, and presents the available options along with indicative costs.

Flat owners then confirm their choices in writing. Optional works that are declined at this stage cannot generally be added later under the HIP rate structure, so this window is the practical moment for decision-making on those items.

Stage 6: Construction commencement

With ballot results confirmed and optional work selections recorded, HDB appoints contractors and sets a construction start date. Residents receive advance notice before contractors access the flat. For mandatory works, access is required by the terms of the HIP agreement; flat owners who refuse access can create complications that HDB addresses on a case-by-case basis.

Construction across a block typically occurs in batches, with workers moving systematically through the floors and units over several weeks. Residents are generally notified of their specific appointment window in advance.

Can residents request upgrading?

There is no formal application channel through which an individual flat owner can request that their block be added to the NRP or HIP queue. However, residents who believe their block has been overlooked or who want to enquire about the timeline for their estate can:

• Contact HDB directly through its e-Service portal or hotline at 1800-225-5432
• Raise the matter with the Town Council, which manages the estate on a day-to-day basis
• Bring the issue to their MP at a Meet-the-People session

None of these channels guarantees a specific outcome, but they represent the available pathways within the existing system. HDB's official upgrading programme information is maintained at hdb.gov.sg.