Can the developer refuse to fix popped tiles after the defects liability period?
The standard defects clause obliges the developer to make good defects that appear within 12 months of the purchaser receiving the Notice of Vacant Possession. After that, a claim depends on proving the tiling was defective, not just worn, and is subject to limitation periods. The Court of Appeal held in Sandy Island v Thio Keng Thay that the defects clause does not exclude the purchaser's common-law right to damages. Get legal advice for significant claims.
From the RRD Field Guide, checked against the sources cited in Popped, Hollow and Debonded Tiles in Singapore: Causes, Safety, Repair and Who Pays. General information, not advice for your project.
The fuller picture
Tiles pop or sound hollow when the bond between tile, adhesive and screed fails, usually from thermal movement without movement joints, poor adhesive coverage, an uncured substrate or age. Indoors, the unit owner generally pays after the developer's 12-month defects period. On façades, falling tiles are a public-safety risk handled through the MCST or owner and BCA's Periodic Façade Inspection.
More questions on this topic
- Why do floor tiles suddenly pop up with a loud crack?
- Is a hollow-sounding tile always a defect?
- Who pays for popped tiles in my HDB flat?
- Who pays for popped tiles in a condominium unit?
- Are popped façade tiles covered by the Periodic Façade Inspection?
- Can hollow tiles be fixed without removing them?
- How do I stop new tiles from popping?