My New Flat: Checking the Defects & Having Them Rectified.

After we have collected the keys, we used 2 weekends to check the defects and at the same time submit the form. Honestly speaking, we are not those hardcore checker who will go to the extend of taking leave, to go down to check the flat from day to night. We took like 3-4 hours of out time out per day to check the defects, if not our neck/back will probably break by the end of it. 

You are supposed to check your defects within 7 days after your have collected your keys, or 1 year from the date you collect your key. As long as the renovation has not started, any defects can be charged under the HDB contractor, and you have the right to ask them to rectify it :)

We are lucky enough because our block was the 1st to be ready for keys collection. It's like 1.5 months difference from the next block keys collection date. In order for the rectification to be done fast, it's better to submit your defects form just before the next block collect their key. If not you can wait up to months just for the defects to be done, especially when more and more units are ready by then.

Some photos taken during defects checking day..

Our block! 

The view of the hockey stadium and abit of the sports stadium from our masterbedroom. 

We spent 1 day doing up 2 of the rooms and another day doing 1 room and the rest of the house.

We don't really have much issues with the kitchen, windows and etc. The main bulk of the problems comes from the room tiles. We divide the job up, so 1 of us settle 1 room and another 1 settle the another. 

After I'm done, I will asked Derp over to see whether the defects I've marked out are reasonable/justifiable. and vice versa. We don't want to appear to be some unreasonable couple because you never know what the contractors will do to your house if you are being nasty. Always be kind to them :) 

We taped the area around the defects with masking tape, draw arrows to show where exactly it is. As for the defects form, we only can write the type of defects generally because it's too hard to describe it. 

We went down the following weekend to submit the defect form. The supervisor came up with us with his ka kia(assistant), and Derp went around showing them the defects to be rectify, and see if it can be rectified anot. The supervisor kept saying "yes can", "can can". I went like O.O? So he 'can' all the way and within 5 minutes they are out of the house. 

We gave them a padlock key and also the form, and they left. They smile and "can can can" all the way lol! Okay, at least they never blackface us, or probably tsk-ing us from the bottom of their heart.

We were praying that they will do a good job for the rectification and not hating us for letting them do double job, we bought drinks for the contractor to have it while they do the rectifying. 

My #OOTD that day on the defects form submission. 

The whole living room is best for taking #OOTD shots now! lol! Brightly lited with white walls! 

We did some packing after the contractors left, throw everything into the living room and we never went back there till 3 weeks later. Yup, the whole rectification took 3 weeks because of the CNY break and etc. 

A random shot taken of the nearby park near our house..:). Gonna love that park very much! lol. 

Anyway below are the lists of things we brought in to the new flat, so as to assist us in defects checking:

1) Unwanted rags and scotch brite to help you test whether stains can be removed.

2) A few scrappers to scrap off those dried paint everywhere. This also helps you to see whether the particular stain/or whatever can be removed

3)  Dustpan and Brooms. Yes the house is damn dusty, best if you bring masks along especially if you have sensitive nose.

4) Any type of charger so that you can test the electricity supply at each of your sockets. 

5) Chairs. After a few hours of checking, you just want to take a seat, unless you don't mind sitting on the dusty floor lol.

6) Garbage bags because you won't want to keep walking in and out of the house to throw rubbish.

Alright, that's all I can think of for now! 

Oh ya, if you are wondering about the power and water turn on procedure. Here how it goes, the power supply and water supply are already turned on before you collect the keys. This goes the same for all new houses. So actually, you need not schedule an appointment to ask the power supply person to come down to turn it on for you.

All you need to do is to set up an account with Singapore Power and ta dah you are done! However, when you are creating that account, the system will auto allocate you a appointment for the person to come down to turn on. How smart is the system isn't it? -_-". 

I did called them up to say, I'm very sure the power has been turned on, if they want to come down by all means, because no one will be at home. The person really came at the end and called me up to complain that actually he no need to come down, but he understands is not our fault(yes is the stupid system fault)and blah blah blah. So at the end of the day, it seems to be a wasted trip for him. 

Okay enough of my stories, they called me up after 3 weeks or so to inform me that the defects have been done. I will need to go down to collect back the padlock keys.

I embarked on my journey down there myself since it's just half an hour away from my work place, and I released from work before the peak period everyday.

More pictures taken and this time with my new phone! :)

The stadium which is located just a road across my block.

Some photos of the rectified floors, I must admit they look much better now. 

There were some uneven floor tones at the masterbedroom, seems like it's much better now too.

Anyway, I did spot a few defects which were not rectified properly. But oh well, I'll be bringing my ID down this coming week. Who knows if my ID have some ways to resolve it for us, then there's not a need to go back to the hdb contractor again. 

There's still some stains left that's not being get rid off properly. Sigh! 

The next update of my new flat will probably be on finalizing of quotation and start of renovation :) 

Just in case you are wondering what are the things to check for in your new flat, below are the lists of things you can look out for. 

1. Check that all your keys opens your main door properly. Don't forget your letter box key.

2. Turn on all the lights (if it comes with), make sure they're working perfectly. Make sure none of the lights are blown or any of the starters are faulty. If your wiring are hidden as some new flats are, pray that everything is wired properly.

3. Turn on all the taps, faucets, showers and let the water run. If water chokes in your sink, something's in it's way. Could be plaster etc.

Since BTOs do not come with showers installed, bring a hose along with you, stick it into the sink's tap and flood your floor. If water collects on the bathroom floor and takes forever to drain, your floor isn't slopped properly to encourage proper drainage.

4. Taste the water. It might sound silly, but it should taste... clean, and free from corrosion. Not that stainless steel pipes corrode easily, and this being a new flat and all. But just because the pipes are newly installed doesn't mean the pipes are new (they're not). Bring along a clear drinking glass. Fill it up and see if there are any unnatural particles.

5. Open ALL the windows to their fullest. Check to see if they function properly. Pay attention to the handles to ensure they're not loose. Also check that they all turn and lock properly. If you have to force the handle into lock position, the handle will loosen up within a short time. This is a problem because most handles are dead bolted onto the frames. And once they are loose, there's nothing to be done but re-bolt them onto another area, leaving unsightly holes on your frame and your handles will not be level with your other windows.

6. Use all the toilets. You don't have to leave behind a souvenir ;) Just flush them and ensure they work properly. Don't just walk away - see how long it takes for the water tank to fill up and flush again. Faulty water tank plumbing may hinder replenishment of the tank's water. Nothing's worse that having a flushing system usable only every 30mins after a night of fish curry, beer and mayonnaise.

7. If your unit comes with a fancy accordion pole hanger for drying clothes, play around with it to ensure everything is bolted properly and its mechanisms are functioning smoothly.

8. If your walls are tiled, take a thick (50c works) coin or marble and start tapping on each of them to check if any of the tiles are hollow or loose.

9. You won't be able to confirm this within 7 days, but be on a constant look out for water leakage\damage on your ceilings after your upstairs neighbor has moved in.

10. Always remember that just because it's a newly built flat doesn't mean everything in it is new. That means piping, gates, windows etc. Check for rust, LISTEN for defects, look for cracks (on the toilet bowls and sinks), and ensure window rubber linings are not dried or rotten.

Source: http://launchpropertysingapore.com.sg/news/entry/what-are-the-things-to-check-in-the-new-bto-flat-after-collecting-keys.html

I did everything above except number 8, because that's super crazy. I only merely use my hands to feel the unevenness. Oh and also my flat comes with the toilet sanitry fittings, so there's not a need for me to bring the hose in.

To read other posts about my new flat(Balloting of flat all the way till keys collection), you can click here :)