By The Big Buy desk · Last verified 12 October 2026
Prices checked in October 2026 put a digital lock for the main door alone at about S$310 to S$1,290, and a door-and-gate bundle at about S$890 to S$1,850, with many retailers including installation. On cameras, HDB has since 2023 allowed owners to install corridor-facing cameras inside the flat or on the front door without its approval, provided they do not face another flat’s door or windows. Cameras placed outside the flat on common property still need permission, usually from your town council. And whatever you fit, HDB’s fire-rated main door and its self-closing door closer must keep working.
No more hunting for keys, and a quick look at who is at the door: smart entry makes daily life easier. A few rules keep it safe and neighbourly.
Quick facts
- Door-only digital locks: about S$309 to S$1,288 (October 2026 listings).
- Door-and-gate bundles: about S$888 to S$1,849.
- Most locks run on AA batteries, typically changed about once a year; check for a key or emergency power port.
- HDB entrance doors are fire-rated, and their door closer is a safety device that must not be removed.
- Cameras inside the flat or on the front door: no HDB approval needed, but must not face a neighbour’s door or windows.
- Cameras on common property such as corridor walls or ceilings: approval needed; rules vary by town council.
What digital locks cost
| What you buy | Price range seen (October 2026) | Typical features |
|---|---|---|
| Door lock only, entry level | About S$309 to S$338 | PIN, card, mechanical key |
| Door lock only, app-connected | About S$569 to S$990 | Bluetooth or Wi-Fi app, temporary codes |
| Door lock only, premium | About S$1,088 to S$1,288 | Face recognition, push-pull handle |
| Gate lock only | About S$538 to S$1,088 | Weatherproof keypad or fingerprint |
| Door and gate bundle | About S$888 to S$1,849 | Matching pair, often with installation |
Prices are retailer listings compiled by MissLobang on 11 October 2026, many on promotion. Some sellers include delivery and installation; others charge for gate modification, with one quoting S$200 extra. Warranties seen ranged from one to three years.
The HDB rules, in plain words
| Installation | HDB or town council approval? | Key condition |
|---|---|---|
| Digital lock on your own door or gate | No specific approval stated | Do not compromise the fire-rated door or remove its closer |
| Camera inside the flat facing the corridor | No HDB approval since 2023 | Must not face another flat’s door or windows |
| Smart doorbell or mini camera on your front door | No HDB approval since 2023 | Same privacy condition |
| Camera on corridor wall, ceiling or other common property | Yes, usually from the town council | Unapproved fixtures may be removed at your cost |
Renters need the owner’s permission before fitting either. HDB’s own page on smart door devices and CCTV cameras holds the controlling details; check it, and your town council, before drilling.
Before you install: a checklist
- Ask the shop to confirm the lock suits a fire-rated door, and keep the paperwork.
- Check the fit: door thickness, existing mortise and gate frame; ask for a fit check.
- Confirm what the price includes: installation, gate modification, old lock removal, warranty.
- Plan a backup: mechanical key or emergency power port, and a battery reminder.
- Aim cameras carefully: use privacy masking and the narrowest angle that shows your own doorway.
- Secure the app: strong password, two-factor login, and short footage retention.
Worked example: a typical HDB upgrade
A door-and-gate bundle at S$999 with free installation costs about S$1,000 upfront, plus a set of AA batteries for each lock roughly once a year. Over a seven-year life, the bundle works out at roughly S$143 a year before batteries (S$999 ÷ 7).
The WahLiao Verdict
For most HDB homes, a mid-range door-and-gate bundle of around S$900 to S$1,200 with installation included is the sweet spot. Insist on a fire-rated-door-compatible model and never touch the door closer. A front-door camera or smart doorbell is fine without HDB approval, so long as it looks only at your own doorway; anything on the corridor wall needs your town council’s nod first.
Questions people ask
Can my neighbour’s camera point at my door?
HDB says such cameras should not face the door or windows of another flat. Talk to your neighbour first; if that fails, raise it with HDB or your town council.
What happens if the battery dies?
Many locks give a low-battery warning before they run flat, and many have a mechanical key or an emergency power point for a 9V battery, USB-C cable or power bank. Check which backup your model has before buying.
Can I replace my HDB main door?
Main doors in HDB flats are fire-rated. Check HDB’s renovation guidelines and use a contractor familiar with them before replacing the door itself.
Do digital locks affect home insurance?
Policies differ. Read your home contents policy’s conditions on locks and forced entry, and keep the installation receipt.
Sources: HDB, gate and door care guide, fire-rated door closer; HDB, installing smart door devices and CCTV cameras; Home & Decor, HDB’s 2023 change on corridor-facing cameras; Little Big Red Dot, doorbell camera installation checks, August 2026; MissLobang, digital lock prices, October 2026. The Big Buy explains; it does not advise.
Read next: HDB Renovation Rules: Permitted Hours, Noisy Works and Permits · Home Contents Insurance: What It Covers Beyond HDB Fire Insurance · Back to The Big Buy
For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.
Leave a Reply