Hacking a wall in an HDB flat
Part of the questions on HDB renovation rules and permits
Every demolition or hacking of a wall in an HDB flat, partial or complete, needs HDB’s written approval before work starts. Lightweight partition walls of hollow block, brick, drywall or Ferrolite may be demolished with a permit. Structural members, such as reinforced concrete walls, columns, beams and slabs, may not be hacked or removed.
Approval comes first
HDB’s Important Information on Renovations says all demolition and hacking of walls, be it partial or complete, requires HDB’s prior written approval. The approval is there to make sure the work will not affect the structural integrity of the building and compromise public safety.
- Do not instruct workers, or anyone else, to carry out demolition or hacking that HDB has not approved in writing.
- HDB says you may face prosecution if you are found to have contravened the Housing and Development (Renovation Control) Rules, such as by carrying out unauthorised demolition or hacking works.
- Your contractor, who must be listed in HDB’s Directory of Renovation Contractors, applies for the permit on your behalf, with the layout plans and details of the proposed work.
Which walls, and on what conditions
| Work | Permit | HDB’s conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Demolishing or altering, in part or in full, internal non-structural lightweight partition walls: hollow block or brick walls, drywalls or Ferrolite walls | Yes | Block and brick walls, drywalls and Ferrolite walls may be demolished up to the underside of the reinforced concrete beam or slab only. Block and brick walls are taken down from the top. Drywalls and Ferrolite walls are removed in full, from joint to joint. |
| Demolishing non-load bearing reinforced concrete elements, such as partition walls, party walls, stiffeners, lintels or hangers | Yes | A Professional Engineer for civil or structural works must supervise the demolition and ensure proper repair of the reinforced concrete elements it affects. The engineer is given a copy of the approved plan and the conditions of approval. |
| Making an opening in a non-structural wall between two flats | Yes | The wall may be demolished up to the underside of the beam or slab only, from the top down. |
| Putting up a 63 mm thick hollow block wall, an 80 mm thick glass block wall or a gypsum partition | No | A room made for living in must have adequate natural lighting and ventilation. The fire escape route should be direct, for example from bedroom door to main door, and not pass through another room. |
Two conditions apply to every demolition row: no existing reinforced concrete structure may be tampered with in the course of the works, and if steel bars are discovered during the demolition, work has to stop and HDB has to be informed immediately. These are from HDB’s Renovation Guidelines for Building Works.
What may not be hacked
- Structural members, such as reinforced concrete walls, columns, beams and slabs. HDB lists hacking and removing them among the works it does not allow.
- The household shelter: HDB does not allow indiscriminate hacking and drilling of its walls, floor slab and ceiling slab, nor hacking either face of its walls to form a key for tiling.
- The surface of a reinforced concrete wall, to form a key for tiling. HDB asks for spatterdash or an equivalent instead.
- A new doorway may not be made through a reinforced concrete wall.
HDB decides which walls in your flat may come down when it considers the application; the floor plan alone does not settle it. HDB also asks owners to check MyHDB Page for any renovation guidelines specific to their own flat.
Hours, and how long it may take
- Demolishing walls is restricted work: 9am to 5pm on weekdays only. It is not allowed on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, or the eves of New Year’s Day, Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Hari Raya Puasa and Christmas Day.
- Contractors cannot take more than 3 consecutive days to demolish walls or remove wall and floor finishes.
- The rest is in HDB renovation hours and rules.
A wall between two flats
Where an opening has been made in the party wall between two flats, HDB says the owner should reinstate the wall to its original position within 1 month of a written demand from HDB, or before the transfer of the flat is completed, whichever is earlier. The owner bears the cost.
Try it on the plan first
Before paying for an application, see whether the room works without the wall. In Setout you can bring in your floor plan, take out a partition and furnish the larger room at true size. In the furnished HDB layouts, the thick outer and structural walls are locked so they cannot be deleted by mistake. What HDB will approve for your flat is HDB’s decision, not the drawing’s.
Sources
- HDB, Renovation Guidelines for Building Works · read 12 October 2026
- HDB, Important Information on Renovations · read 12 October 2026
Rules and fees change. The linked page is the authority; if it differs from this one, go by it, and tell us.
Questions
Do I need a permit to hack a wall in an HDB flat?
Yes. All demolition and hacking of walls, partial or complete, requires HDB’s prior written approval. Your contractor, from HDB’s Directory of Renovation Contractors, applies on your behalf.
Which walls can be hacked in an HDB flat?
With a permit, internal non-structural lightweight partition walls: hollow block or brick walls, drywalls and Ferrolite walls. Structural members such as reinforced concrete walls, columns, beams and slabs may not be hacked or removed.
Do I need a Professional Engineer to hack an HDB wall?
For demolishing non-load bearing reinforced concrete elements, such as partition walls, party walls, stiffeners, lintels or hangers, yes: HDB requires a Professional Engineer for civil or structural works to supervise. HDB’s row for lightweight partition walls does not list that condition.
What time can walls be hacked in an HDB flat?
Between 9am and 5pm on weekdays only. Demolishing walls is not allowed on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays and the eves of five major holidays, and it cannot take more than 3 consecutive days.
See the room without the wall before you apply: your own flat, furnished, in 3D.
Open the designer