Is Your Condo’s Lift a Liability? Here’s What MCSTs Need to Know
For many condominium Management Corporation Strata Title (MCST) teams in Singapore, lift performance becomes a growing concern as condominiums age. Frequent lift breakdowns, rising lift maintenance costs, and outdated components all contribute to resident dissatisfaction and declining property value. While regular lift maintenance is necessary, it’s often not enough for older estates.
Modernising your condo’s lift system is a long-term investment, and this guide distills practical, actionable considerations with real case study insights, for MCSTs evaluating lift modernisation.
Signs That Lift Modernisation Is Due
If the lifts in your condo are over 15 years old, it’s time to undertake a lift modernisation assessment as outlined in BCA’s Maintenance Control Plan (MCP). You will also notice tell-tale warning signs while operating your lifts, such as:
Frequent breakdowns
Long repair downtimes due to obsolete parts
Increasing lift maintenance costs
Resident complaints
Older systems typically rely on proprietary parts or outdated components that are no longer manufactured.
While lift maintenance helps extend system life, it cannot solve fundamental hardware obsolescence or outdated technologies. In such cases, lift modernisation becomes more cost-effective than continued patchwork repairs.
Understanding the Cost Implications
Routine repairs on obsolete systems often result in escalating costs due to:
Frequent Repairs: As parts age, you may encounter recurring issues that lead to higher cumulative expenses.
Replacement Part Scarcity: Old systems might require custom-fabricated components, driving costs even higher.
Energy Inefficiency: Outdated lift systems can consume more power, increasing electricity bills.
By comparing the ongoing expense of these repairs and inefficiencies with the one-time, albeit significant, cost of modernisation, many MCSTs find that upgrading is an investment that pays off over time.
What Lift Modernisation Involves
Modernisation doesn’t always mean full replacement. It can include upgrading key systems like:
Lift controllers and drives
Door safety sensors
Emergency communication devices
Energy-efficient LED lighting
Safety Enhancement Components
At Hin Chong, we focus on non-proprietary components to reduce future maintenance costs and improve long-term serviceability for condo lifts.
Case Studies from Condos in Singapore
These are real case studies from our condo clients in Singapore:
District 10 Condo: Full Modernisation of 6 Lifts
The MCST managing this estate faced monthly lift breakdowns and rising costs due to obsolete parts. The original lift installer was no longer able to provide reliable servicing, a scenario that is unfortunately, quite common.
After modernisation, breakdowns dropped sharply and resident satisfaction increased. Use of non-proprietary components also helped reduce ongoing costs.
Geylang Condo: Single Lift in a Mid-Sized Block
A 20-year-old lift serving all residents in an estate had become a frequent point of complaint. Two major breakdowns left the lift unusable for weeks. Post-modernisation, downtime dropped significantly.
District 10 Condo: Total Replacement of 2 Passenger Lifts
Despite repeated repair efforts, reliability issues persisted. Full lift replacement became necessary. The new system, with at least another 15- to 20-year lifespan, eliminated service disruptions and improved accessibility.
All these cases show how MCSTs that act proactively instead of reactively, can avoid costly disruptions and maintain strong resident confidence.
Lift Modernisation Adds Tangible Value
Modernised lift systems benefit your condo in multiple ways:
Improved reliability: Reduces service interruptions and resident complaints
Lower maintenance costs: Non-proprietary components reduce reliance on expensive branded parts
Better energy efficiency: New drive systems and lighting reduce electricity usage
Enhanced safety and compliance: New sensors, brakes, and systems support modern safety standards
Higher property value: A well-maintained lift reflects overall building upkeep
Lift modernisation is also recommended by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) in Singapore.
The BCA’s Maintenance Control Plan (MCP) is a detailed framework aimed at helping MCSTs to manage the full lifecycle of their lift systems. Implemented as part of the BCA’s efforts to enhance lift safety and reliability across Singapore, the MCP establishes clear criteria for replacing critical components, incorporates strategies for lift modernisation, and sets forth guidelines for assessing the condition of ageing lifts.
For Singapore's ageing condos, implementing a strategic lift modernisation program through a MCP allows MCSTs to budget effectively for capital expenses while enhancing resident safety and satisfaction.
How MCSTs Can Move Forward
MCSTs that treat lift systems as strategic infrastructure assets will be better positioned to manage rising expectations among residents and prospective buyers.
If you’re overseeing an ageing condominium and lift performance has become a concern, modernisation could offer significant long-term value. Start with an independent assessment and don’t hesitate to seek second opinions, especially when faced with frequent service disruptions or rising costs.
Reach out to us for a tailored evaluation of your estate’s lifts. As a BCA-registered lift contractor, Hin Chong provides objective assessments and delivers customised modernisation solutions that align with your budget, building type, and resident needs.
