{"id":60271,"date":"2022-10-11T15:14:26","date_gmt":"2022-10-11T07:14:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.99.co\/singapore\/insider\/?p=60271"},"modified":"2024-10-04T10:56:49","modified_gmt":"2024-10-04T02:56:49","slug":"top-floor-unit-living-potential-issues","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.99.co\/singapore\/insider\/top-floor-unit-living-potential-issues\/","title":{"rendered":"Living on a top-floor unit: 5 potential issues that you hardly hear about"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Many of us dream of living on the top floor, waking up to unblocked views every day. Given where they are situated, these units also are more breezy, bright and feel more spacious because of the higher ceiling height.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are reasons top-floor units, including penthouses, are the most expensive units in a development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No home is 100% perfect. Before making an offer for that top-floor unit, here are some potential issues you should know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water leakages<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Top-floor units are more prone to water leakages, as the waterproof membrane at the rooftop wears out over time because of exposure to the sun and rain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The worst-case scenario we have heard so far is that it can happen as often as every six months. Like this HardwareZone user.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Water<\/a>
Source: HardwareZone<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you are buying a resale unit, don\u2019t just focus on how tall the ceiling of the unit is during the viewing. Look out for any water marks and mould on the ceiling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Viewing<\/a>
Look for any signs or water leakage.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The good thing is that you will not have to fully bear the repair costs. For these HDB units, HDB will seal up the leak and cover the repair cost<\/a>. The painting cost will be borne by you, though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, for condos, the management will fix the water leakage problem for free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you were to live on a lower floor, if there was a leak on the ceiling, you will usually have to liaise with the neighbour upstairs to figure out the cause of it. And it can be a hassle if your neighbour is uncooperative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If it is caused by your neighbour, e.g. their kitchen pipe keeps leaking, then they would have to bear the full cost of the repair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Otherwise, if it is because of wear and tear, split the cost with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read this: Tackling ceiling leaks and water seepage in your HDB<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feels hotter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This sounds a little ironic, because the general understanding is that top-floor units are more windy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But here\u2019s the thing about top-floor units. Unlike the units below, they have more surface area that is exposed to the sun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On top of that, if the nearby buildings are not as tall as your development, there\u2019s nothing that provides shade for your unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And we all know it\u2019s worse if it is a west-facing unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the viewing, find out if there is any insulation on the rooftop that can shield the unit from the sun. Or, with HDB flats, find out if there are any solar panels installed on the rooftop.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Top-floor HDB flats for sale<\/h4><\/div>\n
See all listings<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n \"414\n <\/div>\n
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414 Bukit Batok West Avenue 4<\/div>\n
Singapore 650414 \u00b7 D23<\/div>\n
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\n \"bedroom\"\n 3<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
\n \"bathroom\"\n 2<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
\n 1,109 sqft<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
S$ 508,888<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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