Minister tells sinkies to fuck off, nothing wrong with BTO flats

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No compromise in quality despite increase in BTO flats: MND
On average, about one-third of all new Build-To-Order (BTO) residents approach the Building Service Centre for assistance with defects after collecting their keys, says Minister of State for National Development Desmond Lee.



SINGAPORE: Despite a significant ramping up in the Build-To-Order (BTO) programme over the last four years, the quality of the flats has not been compromised, Minister of State for National Development Desmond Lee said in Parliament on Monday (Jul 13).

Responding to questions from several MPs on defects in BTO flats, Mr Lee said that an average of one-third of all new residents approach the Building Service Centre for assistance with defects after collecting their keys.

About 25 per cent of these requests for assistance relate to issues such as low water pressure due to compliance with water saving measures, as well as paint stains that need to be cleaned, he said. The majority of the other requests are because of surface imperfections such as hairline cracks on walls, scratches on timber floor, or uneven tile joints, he said, adding that the number of defects reported has not changed significantly.

“Such imperfections are mostly within acceptable industry norms and these are also common in private developments. They can and should be rectified quickly by the contractors, and do not affect the structural integrity or safety of the building.”

There is a “system of checks” in place to ensure that BTO flats are free of major defects, Mr Lee said.

“However, due to the high dependency on workmanship of individual workers, we can expect that there will be some defects,” he said. “Sometimes, this is due to differences in the understanding of what constitutes a defect. For example, some owners have given feedback on colour inconsistencies for floors with timber finishes. As timber is a natural product, it is not possible to achieve a perfectly homogenous look.”

Mr Lee said that the Housing and Development Board (HDB) has “zero tolerance” for defects which may compromise structural or safety standards, or which deviate significantly from what has been promised to buyers.

LEGAL RECOURSE

On the recent complaints of defects in various projects under the Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS), Mr Lee said that developers are contractually obliged to build the units in a “good and workman-like manner”.

“DBSS projects are developed by different private developers, who may offer varying fixtures and finishes for their project. The feedback on the quality of finishes would differ from project to project,” he said.

Nonetheless, residents who face issues with the quality of the flats may report them to the Building Service Centre managed by the developer during the Defects Liability Period, Mr Lee said. If the developer fails to address them, the buyers will have legal recourse against the developer as provided for under the Sales and Purchase Agreement.

“Although HDB is not a party to the S&P Agreement, HDB plays an active role in ensuring a fair and satisfactory outcome. When DBSS flat buyers raise concerns or feedback about DBSS units, HDB will ask the developer to take appropriate action,” he said.


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