BTO key collection to move-in: checklist and timeline
BTO key collection checklist: booking on My HDBPage, inspecting for defects, renovation permits, utilities and booking movers for your new flat.
Updated 2 min read
BTO key collection is a big moment, and the weeks after it are busy. Here's the order things usually happen in, so nothing holds up your move.
1. Key collection
When HDB notifies you that the flat is ready, book a key collection appointment on My HDBPage. Read the notice carefully: there are usually payments to settle and documents to bring, and all owners are normally expected to attend.
2. Inspect the flat before anything else
Before any renovation starts, walk through every room with a checklist:
- walls and ceilings for cracks or uneven paint
- floor tiles for hollow spots, chips or gaps
- doors, windows and their locks
- taps, drains and the water heater point
- every power point and light switch
Photograph anything you find and report it through HDB's channels for new flats (the Building Service Centre or an online maintenance request), as HDB's rectification page describes. It's much easier to fix defects before your renovation covers them up.
3. Plan and permit your renovation
If you're renovating, choose a contractor from HDB's Directory of Renovation Contractors. Works such as hacking or building walls need an HDB renovation permit, which your contractor can apply for. Approved permits have a deadline to finish the works, so agree a realistic schedule before you sign.
Book your internet installation for after the renovation, so cables aren't damaged or covered.
4. Utilities
Open your electricity and water account for the new flat with SP Services before you move in. If the flat has piped gas, arrange the account and turn-on appointment with the gas supplier.
5. Book your movers
Once your contractor gives a firm completion date, add a few days' buffer and book your movers. New estates often have many households moving in the same weeks, so book early. Our moving costs guide explains what to compare between quotes, and the HDB moving checklist covers the weeks before the move.
Tips for new estates:
- Furniture deliveries and movers on the same day can clash in the lift. Space them out.
- Protect your new floors and walls on moving day. Ask your mover what protection they bring.
- Measure the lift and doors before you buy or move big furniture.
6. Move in and settle
- Update your address with ICA within 28 days of moving (online with Singpass, no fee). See change of address after moving.
- Keep reporting any defects you notice as you live in the flat.
Moving to a new town?
Read our area guides for Tengah, Punggol and Sengkang, or get quotes from movers in Tengah.
Frequently asked questions
How do I book my BTO key collection appointment?
When HDB tells you your flat is ready, book a key collection slot online through My HDBPage on the HDB website. All owners are usually expected to attend, and some payments and documents must be settled first, so read HDB's notice carefully.
What should I check when I collect my keys?
Inspect the flat before renovating or moving in: walls, floors, doors, windows, taps and electrical points. Note anything that needs fixing and report it through HDB's channels for new-flat defects, such as the Building Service Centre or an online maintenance request.
Do I need a permit to renovate a BTO flat?
Some works need an HDB renovation permit, such as hacking or building walls. Your contractor, who must be on HDB's Directory of Renovation Contractors, can apply for you. Approved permits come with a deadline to finish the works.
How soon after key collection can I move in?
It depends on your renovation. With little or no renovation, many owners move in within a few weeks of collecting keys. With a full renovation, plan for a few months and book movers once your contractor gives a firm completion date.
Sources
Facts checked against these sources on 17 October 2026. Rules and prices change, so confirm with the source or provider before you rely on them.
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