Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Six safeguards residents should check before handing over flats
Redevelopment can give residents a newer building and better facilities.
But residents usually have to leave their homes while the old building is demolished.
They may need temporary housing until the new building is finished.
If construction is late, this temporary period can become much longer.
Residents should check the developer’s past work and financial strength before agreeing.
Their contract should clearly state the new home’s size, the completion date and what happens if there is a delay.
It should also explain rent, moving costs and other payments.
Residents should have a lawyer review the agreement and keep watching the project after signing.
Residents should assess a developer’s financial strength, redevelopment track record and ability to complete projects on time.
The redevelopment agreement should include a completion deadline, delay compensation and remedies if work is substantially delayed or abandoned.
Rent, transit accommodation support, escalation terms, payment dates and shifting or brokerage costs should be clearly recorded.
The new flat’s carpet area, specifications, facilities, parking entitlement and promised financial benefits should be written into the agreement.
Before vacating, residents should complete legal and project due diligence, consider financial safeguards and continue monitoring construction and payments.
- Who
- Residents and housing society committees considering redevelopment, along with the proposed developer.
- What
- Guidance on safeguards to secure before handing over an existing housing society for redevelopment.
- When
- Before residents vacate the existing building and throughout the redevelopment project.
- Where
- An ageing housing society and the temporary accommodation used during redevelopment.
- Why
- To reduce the financial, legal and practical risks caused by construction delays, missed payments or an under-specified agreement.
- Developer assessment
- Review the developer’s financial strength, completed projects and redevelopment track record.
- Completion deadline
- Record the construction schedule, expected completion date and consequences of delay.
- Delay protection
- Specify compensation and remedies if construction is substantially delayed or stops.
- Temporary accommodation
- Define rent or transit support, payment dates, duration and any escalation.
- New apartment
- State the carpet area, specifications, facilities and parking entitlement.
- Additional payments
- Include corpus payments, compensation, shifting charges and brokerage costs in writing.
- Ongoing oversight
- Monitor construction, approvals, milestones, rent and other payments after signing.