Yahoo Finance 
Service and conservancy charges in all PAP-run town councils to increase from 1 July
All HDB flats, shops, offices, markets and food stalls under these town councils will be impacted by the revised S&CC.
SINGAPORE — Service and conservancy charges (S&CC) for HDB flats, shops, offices, markets and food stalls in all 15 town councils run by the People's Action Party (PAP) will be raised twice over the next two years.
The first increase will take effect from 1 July resulting in a monthly fee hike ranging from S$0.70 to S$7.90 for HDB flat residents, depending on the flat type they live in. Commercial property owners and tenants will also see an increase of S$0.01 to S$0.40 per square metre per month, while market and food stall operators will see fees raised between S$2.20 and S$31.50 per month.
The second increase will take effect from 1 July 2024, and it will see a bigger increase compared to the first. HDB residents can expect monthly fees to rise between S$1 to S$9.10 per month, depending on their flat type. Commercial properties will see a monthly increase of S$0.02 to S$0.41 per square metre, while market and food stall operators will experience an increase of S$2.20 to S$36.40 per month.
In a media statement released on Thursday (1 Jun), the Marine Parade Town Council (MPTC) cited higher energy prices, maintenance costs, and manpower expenses, including increased tender rates for cleaning, pest control, and landscaping services in explaining the need for this S&CC hike.
It added that the increases are smaller than originally proposed because town councils are receiving special funding support from the Government to cushion the impact of rising maintenance costs.
Also read: Some 2.5M Singaporeans to get up to S$400 cost-of-living special payment in June
Also read: HDB Service and Conservancy Charges (S&CC): What you need to know (2022)
Also read: 3 S'pore town councils marked down over overdue conservancy charges management: MND
The S&CC increases required originally ranged between S$3.00 and S$3.80 for one-room HDB flats and between S$18.70 and S$21.90 per month for executive flats.
As the age and profile of the estate, residents' needs and operating expenditures differ from town to town, the S&CC rates for all 15 town councils will be different. Each town council will send out individual notices to their residents to inform them of the new rates.
“Given rising costs, most PAP Town Councils expect to run a deficit for FY2023-24, if S&CC rates remain unchanged. This would mean tapping on recent years’ accumulated surpluses, which we would otherwise use for long-term purposes like topping up the Sinking Fund," said Coordinating Chairman for PAP Town Councils Lim Biow Chuan.
"While the special funding support from Government will cushion the impact on residents, we will continue to focus on improving cost savings and productivity wherever possible, and keep up contributions to the Sinking Fund and Lift Replacement Fund,” said Lim.
The 15 PAP-run town councils are Ang Mo Kio, Bishan-Toa Payoh, Chua Chu Kang, East Coast, Holland-Bukit Panjang, Jalan Besar, Jurong-Clementi, Marine Parade, Marsiling-Yew Tee, Nee Soon, Pasir Ris-Punggol, Sembawang, Tampines, Tanjong Pagar and West Coast.
The remaining town councils of Aljunied-Hougang and Sengkang are run by the Workers Party (WP).
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