Things to settle before moving into your BTO
Image credit: moldremediation
Waiting for the completion of your BTO can seem like a lifetime, but once those keys are in your hands, then comes the colossal task of transforming that bare flat into the furnished home of your dreams.
With so much to juggle all at once, it’s easy to gloss over tiny yet vital things on your moving-in checklist. From covering yourself with moving insurance to checking your HDB flat for defects before starting reno work, here are 6 things you should know before moving into your BTO:
PSA: Read on to find out how furniture and appliance shopping on any POSB/DBS Card can get you FREE 24-Hour Emergency Home Assistance Service for 6 months.
1. You have to apply for utilities to be able to use them
It goes without saying that moving into a new home brings on a whole slew of new responsibilities. Paying for the monthly utility bill is one of them. But before you can even go about doing so, you’ll need to register your new flat with Singapore Power and put down a security deposit of <$100 to be able to even use water, piped gas and electricity in your new home.
You can even opt to choose your own electricity price plans via the DBS Electricity Marketplace. Simply pick the plan that works best for your household, apply on digibank and choose to pay by GIRO and say goodbye to overdue electricity bills for good.
2. Buy insurance on big-ticket items
Image credit: CYC Movers
Finding damaged furniture and home appliances after the move can easily put a damper on your new-home bliss, especially when the cost of replacing big-ticket appliances such as your refrigerator and plasma TV can easily set you back a few thousand dollars.
Covering yourself with moving insurance can save you from a lot of physical and financial heartache should a freak accident happen. In some cases, in addition to the insurance, some moving companies go the extra mile to help you pack those insured items. That way you save yourself the trouble of fussing with boxes and bubble wrap.
3. Expect to do a lot of cleaning
Image credit: icleaning.com.sg
Take it from someone who has had her home demolished and rebuilt – your home post-reno will be beautiful, but dusty AF. And regardless of the scale of it, getting your home squeaky clean after is a true test of both patience and skill.
It takes days upon days of diligent scrubbing and mopping with the right cleaning products to successfully strip plywood dust and other minuscule debris from the many surfaces of your home. Alternatively, to save yourself all that trouble, you can task the job to professionals and conserve your energy for the big move.
PSA: Score 50% off part-time cleaning services by Helping with your DBS/POSB card – find out how to do so here.
4. You have 7 days to report any flat defects
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Did you know that your BTO flat comes with a 1-year warranty that is effective the minute you collect your keys? Also known as the Defects Liability Period (DLP), this “warranty” covers you for all sorts of issues you might find from hairline wall cracks and water seepage to mouldy telephone outlets and wonky window frames.
But don’t celebrate just yet, for HDB to fully cover the costs of rectifying all defects, a report needs to be filed within 7 days of key collection or before any renovation work starts. If you’re not sure where to start, this comprehensive defect checklist will help you out.
5. Season Parking is first-come-first-serve
Image credit: gov.sg
If you’re blessed enough to own a car, it pays to be well aware of the season parking booking dates to chope a lot – especially if you’re living in a popular area like Bidadari. Booking opens on the 1st of the month and lots are available on a first-come-first-serve basis, and there’s no guarantee that you’ll be allocated one even if you reside in the block right next to the carpark.
6. Leaks and power failures can still happen in a new flat
Image credit: moldremediation
And just because your flat is brand new, doesn’t mean it’s protected from “natural” apartment disasters. Having to troubleshoot a an electrical malfunction or a burst pipe can be seriously intimidating for first-time homeowners.
Thankfully, schemes like Chubb’s MyHome Assist offer professional plumbing, electrical and locksmith assistance in the event of a home emergency and covers the expense of the repair work and removal of any excess debris up to the amount insured.
They also have a 24-hour concierge helpline to help you resolve issues such as pest infestation and aircon maintenance amongst other problems. In a worst-case scenario where you have to vacate the flat, the policy also includes the provision of “emergency cash” up to the amount specified to tide you through tough times.
Gearing up for the BTO life
Image credit: Home & Decor
The journey to owning a BTO is full of paperwork and nail-biting anticipation, but get through that and the light at the end of the tunnel is near. If you’re still working your way through your furniture and home appliance shopping list, here’s why you might want to start signing all of your future purchases to your DBS/POSB Card:
Simply accumulate a total spend of $3,000 on home furnishing, appliances, or electronics between now till 31 March 2019 on any POSB/DBS card, and you’ll be entitled to a complimentary 6-months of Chubb’s MyHome Assist – a one-stop holistic home assistance program for all your home emergencies.
Image credit: DBS
Here’s how to participate:
- Download the DBS Lifestyle App
- Log in with your digiBank ID and PIN
- Spend S$3,000 on home furnishings and appliances
*Spending tracker only starts from the day of registration and the offer applies to the first 5,000 customers.
Once that $3,000 target is hit, you’ll receive a coupon with the onboarding details to get you started with MyHome Assist. It’s that easy.
Image credit: DBS
With your free 6 months of Chubb’s MyHome Assist, you won’t have to pull your hair out trying to figure out your next plan of action should your ceiling start leaking. All you have to do is report the problem and help will be on its way.
Find out more about your complimentary 6-month coverage here
This post was brought to you by DBS.