When should retention money be released?
Under SIA-type mechanics, half of the unpaid retention is certified on the Completion Certificate, less a reasonable sum for outstanding work, and the balance at the end of the maintenance period once defects are made good. Under PSSCOC 2020, the unused security deposit is returned when the Final Completion Certificate is issued. For small private contracts, write down the release dates and conditions, because the contract is the only source of the obligation.
From the RRD Field Guide, checked against the sources cited in Defects Liability Period and Retention Money in Singapore: DLP, Maintenance Period, Final Account and Late Defects. General information, not advice for your project.
The fuller picture
The defects liability period (DLP), called the maintenance period in SIA contracts, is the window after completion in which the contractor must return and fix defects. Retention is typically released half at completion and half when the DLP ends. Later defects can still be claimed: generally within 6 years, or for negligence 3 years from knowledge, subject to a 15-year long-stop.
More questions on this topic
- What is the difference between the defects liability period and the maintenance period?
- How much retention money is usually held in Singapore?
- Can I still claim for defects found after the defects liability period ends?
- How long do I have to sue for a latent defect in Singapore?
- What is a final account in a construction contract?
- Can the owner fix defects using another contractor and deduct the cost?
- Does SOPA apply to claims for retention money?