Quick answer: yes, you can build a gypsum (drywall) partition in an HDB flat without a permit, as long as a new bedroom gets natural light and ventilation, the fire escape route stays direct, and fasteners stay within HDB’s 6mm by 40mm limit. The work must be done by a contractor in HDB’s Directory of Renovation Contractors (DRC). To hang a TV on it, build backing into the wall before the boards go up.
Checked against HDB’s Renovation Guidelines on 1 November 2026.
Can you build a partition wall in an HDB flat?
Yes. HDB lists new gypsum partitions, single-layer 63mm hollow block walls and 80mm glass block walls as works that do not need a renovation permit, but each comes with conditions. These are HDB’s own words:
Erection of gypsum partition: no permit required, subject to (HDB building works guidelines):
- “Adequate natural lighting and ventilation must be provided if creating a room for habitation”
- “Fire escape route should be direct (e.g. from bedroom door to main exit door) and should not pass through another room”
- “All fasteners/ connectors (e.g. screws, nails, bolts, etc.) used must not exceed 6mm in diameter and 40mm in penetration depth”
63mm hollow block or 80mm glass block wall: no permit required. “Only one layer of 63mm hollow block or 80mm thick glass block can be erected”, and a reinforced concrete (RC) lintel must support the hollow block across any opening such as a door or window.
Who can do the work: “Engage only contractors from the Directory of Renovation Contractor (DRC) to carry out the renovation, including those works that do not require HDB’s approval” (HDB). You can check a contractor in HDB’s DRC listing.
In practice, this means a new room created with a partition usually sits against an existing window, and its door should open onto a corridor or living area leading straight to the main door, not through another bedroom.
Can a partition wall hold a TV?
Yes, if the wall is built for it. Fix the TV bracket into the metal studs or into backing installed inside the wall before the boards go up. Plain gypsum board on its own is not meant to carry a TV.
- Plan the TV position before the boards go up. Knauf’s partition manual shows heavy items fixed to backing or fixing channels placed between the studs (Knauf). Mark the bracket height and width on your plan so the installer puts the backing in the right place.
- In HDB flats, ask for metal fixing channels or another backing your contractor confirms meets HDB’s rules. Remember HDB’s 6mm by 40mm fastener limit for gypsum partitions.
- Swing-arm brackets need extra care. When pulled out, they put much more force on the wall than a flat bracket.
- If the wall is already built, locate the studs and fix into them. Where you must use cavity fixings, each fixing has its own rated load on the packaging; check it against the weight of the TV and bracket.
What is the weight limit of an HDB partition wall?
There is no single HDB weight limit for partition walls. What a partition can hold depends on its studs, the number of board layers, any backing inside, and the rated load of each fixing.
| What you want to hang | What it needs |
|---|---|
| Picture frames, clocks, light shelves | Cavity fixings rated above the item’s weight |
| TV, wall cabinet, heavy shelving | Studs or backing, planned before boarding |
| Wall-hung wardrobe or kitchen cabinets | Backing along the full length, agreed with the installer |
How thick is an HDB partition wall?
Drywall partitions are usually about 75mm to 125mm thick, depending on the stud size and the number of board layers. HDB-allowed block walls are 63mm hollow block or 80mm glass block.
| Type | Thickness | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Drywall, single 12.5mm board each side on a 50mm stud | about 75mm | Common room divider (Knauf) |
| Drywall, double 12.5mm boards each side on a 75mm stud | about 125mm | Better sound reduction (Knauf) |
| Hollow block | 63mm | One layer only; RC lintel over openings (HDB) |
| Glass block | 80mm | One layer only (HDB) |
Drywall or hollow block?
| Drywall (gypsum) | Hollow block | |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Faster, dry work, less dust | Wet work, more mess and time |
| Weight | Light | Heavier |
| Wiring and switches | Easy to run inside the wall | Needs hacking channels |
| Hanging heavy items | Needs backing or studs | Fix directly with suitable plugs |
| Finish | Joints taped and skimmed, then painted | Plastered, then painted |
Most HDB room partitions today are drywall, because it is quicker and cleaner to install in an occupied home.
Is a partition wall soundproof?
Not fully, but it can be much quieter. Fill the cavity with rockwool insulation, use double boards on one or both sides (Knauf’s double-board systems are designed for better sound reduction), and seal the gaps at the floor and ceiling. The door is usually the weakest point, so choose a solid door with seals if quiet matters.
Turning a living room into an extra bedroom
- Light and ventilation: place the new room against an existing window, as HDB requires for rooms people live in.
- Escape route: the door should lead directly towards the main door, not through another room.
- Power and air-conditioning: plan switches, sockets and aircon trunking before the boards go up.
- Door: decide on a swing or sliding door early, because the frame is built into the partition.
- Finishing: the new wall needs taping, skimming, sealer and paint to match the room.
Can you rent out a room created with a partition?
For HDB flats, renting out bedrooms has its own conditions, including eligibility rules set by HDB. Check HDB’s eligibility for renting out bedrooms before you plan a partition for rental. For private homes, URA caps occupancy at six unrelated persons, or eight for homes of at least 90 sqm that are registered with URA. That higher cap has been extended to 31 December 2028 (URA, URA media release).
Removing a partition wall
In HDB flats, “all demolition and hacking of walls (be it partial or complete) require HDB’s prior written approval” (HDB). Do not assume a wall is a partition just because it sounds hollow. Check your floor plan and get approval first. In condos, ask your management office about its renovation rules.
Condo partitions
Condo owners follow their development’s by-laws and management (MCST) approval process instead of HDB’s guidelines. Most condos ask for a renovation application, contractor details and work dates, and limit noisy work to set hours. See our condo painting guide for what to expect.
Finishing and painting a new partition
A new drywall partition is not finished until the joints are taped and skimmed, a sealer coat is applied and the wall is painted to match the room. We paint new partitions to match your existing walls:
- Room repaint from $270 per room (Nippon Matex White), see room painting
- Sealer on new walls: +$40 per room
- An extra colour on the new wall: $40
For skim coat and plaster work on walls around the partition, see wall plastering.
Frequently asked questions
Is a partition allowed in an HDB flat?
Yes. Gypsum partitions and single-layer 63mm hollow block or 80mm glass block walls do not need a permit, but they must follow HDB’s conditions and be built by a DRC-listed contractor.
Can gypsum board hold a TV?
Not on its own. Fix the bracket into studs or into backing built inside the wall before boarding, and check each fixing’s rated load.
Do I need an HDB permit for a partition wall?
Not for a gypsum partition or a single-layer 63mm hollow block or 80mm glass block wall. Removing or hacking any wall needs HDB’s prior written approval.
How thick should a partition wall be?
Drywall partitions are commonly about 75mm (single boards) to 125mm (double boards). Thicker walls with insulation are quieter.
Can I put a partition wall in my BTO flat?
Yes, under the same HDB conditions. Report any defects within 30 days of key collection first, before renovation starts. See our BTO painting guide.
Related guides
Planning a partition?
WhatsApp us your floor plan and where you want the wall, the door and the TV. We’ll advise and send you a quote.