cruise

Hi all, Can someone recommend me which online portals available and useful for owners who like to put their HDB flat for sales? It is more like a DIY and to be in direct contact with buyers. Thank you in advance for any replies.

Hi dexufto, i enjoy reading your renovation blog and the interior deco was nice. I came to the last page of this thread and found it surprising that you even revisit this blog to give "after-reno" comments, which is VERY useful. How many home owners revisit and update or provide feedback on the quality of something they had done to their new home? I find it is more beneficial to learn from someone who RENOVATED and FEEDBACK. Without using a product or service, it's really hard to tell, isnt it? Btw, can u help me understand what is actually wrong with the kitchen dampers? has it got to do with soft closing thingy?

what about reporting the matter to RADAC?? Or maybe Mediation Centre whereby can reach an amicable solutions?

Previously I had asked where were all the old postings in this forum as I couldn't see them in the index page. I was instructed to make some settings change - some filter settings at the bottom of page. After the change I could see them in the index dating as far back as 2004, which is great. However, when I go into the individual postings I encountered the next problem. The contents were all hidden. And there is this message saying: "Currently hiding posts below -10 points. Change threshold?" appreciate if the administrators could explain what this threshold points is? And how does it "qualify" who has how many points in order to change the threshold? Alternatively, can just tell me how to change my points in order to read the contents? Thank u in advance.

Yes, precisely of such cases that HDB came up with the "Spouse's consent" form to complete even though he/she is NOT the co-owner. The stipulated Consent Form by HDB is mainly to protect the spouse. However, why is HDB not protecting buyer (or at least get justice for victims) who paid $5K already and the deal fell through because the "PROTECTED" seller and his wife breached the OTP contract??????? At least help buyer to get back his $5K instead of washing their hands off the whole case.

I strongly feel that HDB should come in to protect victims of such cases. Why? 1) Becos' in order to buy or sell a HDB flat, we are subject to so many HDB rules and regulations, such as "Buyer's checklist" and "Seller's checklist", etc 2) We must use HDb prescribed "OTP form". They also claimed it's legal binding. If legal binding and issued by them, why cant HDB help victims get justice????? And especially in such a case where the spouse is NOT even the co-owner of the flat, the least HDB could do is to allow extension so that the husband can go and get the wife's consent (since it's also HDB's rule that wife must sign consent form - legally, I think private property dont need this if the spouse is NOT a co-owner, so sale can still go through without spouse consent??). And if after extension still cant get wife's consent, then should just GO ahead to process the sale instead of cancelling it. 3) However, there should be an option for both seller and buyer - ie. if they choose to cancel the transaction they should be given the option too on the condition that the seller RETURN the deposit + Option Fee to the buyer. And with compensation (@ certain interest rate) if seller do not return after a specific agreed timeframe stipulated by HDB. If there's no EASY recourse action for victims (vs. long drawn legal proceedings and cost in order to sue seller who breached a legally binding OTP contract), many cheating sellers will get away with such scams!! HDB shouldnt prescribed form that all of us have to use or set rules and regulations for all parties to abide yet when problems arises they leave victims on their own to solve.

Thanks Therat for the tips to read old thread. Can you kindly enlighten me about the minus 10, 20 points in order to read some old threads that seems to have points tied to them? I noticed I cant access them and I do not know how many points I have in order to read them. How does one gain points?

Thank you, Rosks, for your response.

You may like to look out for: 1) amenities within vicinity eg wet market, shopping centres, local & international schools (if you have school-going children), community centres, stadiums, swimming pools 2) the Ease of access to expressway (if u drive), minimize traffic jams during peak hours (how far and how long it takes to get from point to point). For eg. I have QUICK access to CTE (10 mins to downtown orchard), TPE (15-20 mins to changi airport), SLE (20-25 mins to woodlands checkpoint), PIE via CTE (enables me to get to west side of Singapore via expressway all the way) so it really makes a lot of difference to moving around. 3) how much is the availability of public transport eg bus services, mrt stations (for those who dont drive). Again, plenty of bus services that brings you to the nearest subway stations really help to minimize travelling time (eg I have like 10 direct bus services to take me to the nearest mrt stations). Have access to N-S line, NE line, circle lines would be great. However, as long as one is able to get to any nearest subway stations should help already. 4) last but not least - ambience of the neighbourhood And welcome back to Singapore. Wish you all the best in finding your dream home. cheers!

Yes, xmaspine, I share the same sentiment as you. Few years ago when I drop by this forum site there were many postings made and very useful ones. However, it seems what I can read now are all those postings made in the current year 2012. Anything older seems to disappear. So, am also having the same problem searching for topics that I needed. Perhaps the administrator can help advise us how to go about it. many thanks

Hi May I know whatever happens to all the old threads ie. those postings made in the past years? It seems that unless someone paste a link here eg what to do with mails for ex-owner posted in 2011, it is not possible to find the post at all. There are many useful postings made in the past in this forum so it is sad if they were all being removed. Will the administrator please advise? thanks

Hi can someone help explain to interpret this particular HDB rules in renting a HDB flat / room = found in their website as follows: http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10323p.nsf/w/RentOpenMktRentOutRoom?OpenDocument quote: Tenancy/Property Ownership Status a. Subtenants must not be tenants/owners of other HDB flats except for : Owners who are eligible to sublet their whole HDB flat - They must sublet their own flat within 1 month after having rented a flat from another flat owner. - They are not able to sublet their own flat after they move out of their flat as there are other occupiers remaining behindTenancy/Property Ownership Status unquote My confusion and seeking clarification : 1) Does it mean the subtenant cannot rent another HDB flat IF he owns a HDB flat? 2) If one has move out of their flat, how can there by other occupiers remaining? I dont understand this? 3) Is there a contradiction in the conditions stated - "not able to sublet their own flat after they move out" and "must sublet own flat within 1 month AFTER having rent a flat"???

hi very interesting decor. Love your wardrobe and kitchen cabinets - very unique. May I have the contacts of your ID / Contractor? thanks. Btw, are the designs your ideas or the IDs? Is he Mr K that everyone is talking about?

hi can anyone recommend how to shop for good quality non-slip ceramic tiles? What are the criterias to look for in a good non-slip tiles? thanks

Besides all the benefits for govt to see prices keep going up ......there is also too much is at stake to allow for property prices here to fall.......when will something tip the balancing scale then??

I totally agree with icer that banks should be allowed to value the HDB properties for someone taking a bank loan. It's only fair since HDB does not want to grant loan to a 2nd timer (downgraders) and since HDB is not taking the risk for the loan, why should they still be the ONLY one to value the property.

Hi not sure where to post this thread....hope i'm doing it at the right place. I wonder if you all face the same problem as me. I find that the water in my unit (I believe should affect other units sharing the same watertank in a HDB block) has different smell. One period it can smell like aluminim-kind, another period can smell like ammonia-kind. It's really difficult to describe the smell as it's very unusual. I've not find our singapore water to smell so strange before having lived all my life here. I remembered when I was younger the water sometimes tend to smell stronger chlorine-like...otherwise nothing else. I called town council last time about the strange taste and smell, they claimed nothing unusual, will flush the water out. Said will get back to me but never did. After many weeks gone by then the water condition improved. so till today i still no idea what's wrong with the water and what they did to make it better. (so not transparent.....) does anyone share the same issue? or suggest how or where can the water sample be tested? thanks

From experience, acid wash on floor after renovation can cause stains that cannot be removed when workers didnt do a good and careful cleaning job. However, contractor will make good the tiles by hacking off those pieces with stain and replaced with new tiles. Not an impossible thing to rectify. if contractor refused to do then dont pay balance of renovation work. And seek further compensation from him to get someone else to replace stained tiles.

From my experience, HDB and Police are useless when comes to noise nuisance caused by neighbours above! Police say it's HDB's area to take care. HDB say call Police to come. Personally, I feel this is strictly HDB to handle since we are living in HDB flats and they should deal with such matters, not police. And they shouldn't say they dont come after 6pm one. Otherwise, how to 'catch' the problem? They just dont want to carry out their rightful duties after office hours. IT IS THEIR JOB TO INVESTIGATE YOUR COMPLAINT....BE IT AFTER THEIR OFFICE HOURS! I'd suggest you go to CMC (community mediation centre), dont waste time complaining to HDB or police. Your neighbours CANNOT dont open doors for authorities to investigate also. See the HDB website link: http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10324p.nsf/w/HomeRenoGuidelinesAirCon?OpenDocument hope this helps. Dont give up your fight towards inconsiderate neighbours!

It seems the understanding about aircon tray is kinda controversial here. Years ago, my downstairs neighbour complained my aircon water drip onto them. So, I installed a stainless tray (back then it seems that was according to HDB guidelines) Last year, NEA officers said not supposed to instal tray as breeding grounds for mosquitoes. So, I was confused. Today, as my upstairs neighbour didnt install a tray, their water kept dripping down onto MY tray. And when it drips, it cause a nuisance "tok tok" noise every night!! So, I checked HDB website to see what's the guidelines - install tray or NOT to install tray to solve water dripping problem from aircon. guess what i found: see below http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10324p.nsf/w/HomeRenoGuidelinesAirCon?OpenDocument Advisory Notes On Air-conditioner Tray No tray or receptacle should be placed beneath and/or on top of any air-conditioning unit so as not to create a condition favourable for mosquito breeding. NEA may take legal action against anyone who creates a condition favourable to the breeding of mosquitoes. Thus, it seems the rule now is CANNOT install tray! So, how ???

oh one more thing......if you try calling them (for replacement of parts or for problem encountered in their item) their telephone PERPETUALLY NO ONe answer it when you call. Even if they give you their mobile number,, no use...they will not answer!! will give alot of craps they attending to customers. (you go to shop, got so MANY customers every time meh????????) u can see they just sitting there doing nothing!

When I first got my keys for my HDB flat 14 years ago, I bought some lightings from them. I had no issue. That's why I decided to go back to them this year to buy some ceiling fans. However, I wished I had read this thread before I would surely NOT have gone back to them. Why? Their after service really sucks! 1) When items does not work, no money refunds for returning the item back to them. They give you credit note with one year expiry. 2) Useless credit note - why? you cannot use the credit note to buy celing fans!! They limit you to their light fixtures! Here I am, requiring more ceiling fan for other rooms but unable to use it. Why do i want to buy lights when I have no need of them! 3) For the same light fixtures sold somewhere else, if you use their credit note, they will jack up the price of the item. One has no choice but pay higher price, otherwise how to make good of the credit note? So, isn't this like day-light robbery??????? 4) You argue some more with them.....they give you the "ah-beng" attitude.....what can u do??????? You cant even take your business to somewhere else when you got more than $100 stuck with them. Therefore, better be warned.....it's not about the initial service they give to you (eg offer you drinks, speak nicely to you) BEFORE you part your money....it's the AFTER sale service that counts.

From experience I noticed such spots tend to appear if you wash your mirror with soap / detergent. Once I stopped such cleaning agent on my new mirror I dont see it happening again. Just clean mirror with water and wipe will do. Avoid any chemical contact on mirror.

I got Nanos-style 5 blades for $230 per unit (excluding installation cost of $35 per unit). I believe there is a shop in Geylang that gives good pricing too. check that out.