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Many thank for the info. These pipes viewed externally, not connected to anyway. The openings is "2-way throght". Any 1-way valve installed? Wondering how they are linked to the sanitary pipes?

Read all the alternatives suggested, the most practical and simple are: 1. Curtain to block sunlight from entering room, instead of solar firm. 2. Ceiling fan, best with KDK for lasting. Theoretically, the most effective way is to prevent sunlight from reaching the wall. In practice, here are some examples , aluminium clad(cvommercial buildings), planting, Hugh water fall, double-layer glass (sound & heat isolated). Question is which is most cost-effective in long run? Wood wall next to brick is not a good solution. Heat transfers from brick to wood, SLOWLY.

I got a 31 year old 5-rm, pt blk. Reno now in progress. After changing "cast iron" pipe to pvc ones, found 2 previous pvc pipes seem to be "dummy" or "redundart". One in Kitchen, one in master tiolet. Got "openings" at bootom of pipes. Found no connected to anywhere. ID & contractors said these are "wind pipe". I find no info on this and wrote to hdb yet to reply. Call them, technical guy yet to return call. My concerns: what are these pipes for? Can I remove them.

Had buy/sell idea about 2 yrs ago. Action started only July 2009, after some calculation and homework.... - July 09 posted to sell existing over internet, wow, many incoming viewers. - Same time actively look out for unit (have zoom down to 4 blocks, must > 20 storey & certain criterias), fm internet & newspaper. - Too tired to handle the incoming, sign an exclusive agreement with DWG to sell on 1/8/09. Set target to move early Feb 2010. - After about 8 rounds of viewing, found the present one on 30/8/09. Signed OTP on same day, asked agent to proceed asap. But ended up seller in contra with another seller..... -Selling deal closed on 20/9/09. Move out set on 1/2/2010. Now reno in progress, move in targeted on 28/1/2010, before CNY. Advice: no child play, need to do homework, then go and no U turn.

Final words: - yesterday was completion date, exactly 8 wk. - actually received key fron nice old coupler, reno in progress. - will move in on 28/1/10. - final reno completion on 5/2/10. Heard from wife who attended the 2nd appointment that: - dirvocee has not cancelled their water/electricity/gas, so the old coupler cannot register under their name. - They put the kitchen cabinet reno on hold because of this. - the wife has to cook using private gas which she is not familar with. Piece of advise to buyer: try understand the seller/agent further before buying.

Final words. Yesterday was the completion date, exactly 8 wk. - actually received key on 13/12/09 from nice old coupler , reno in progress. - Will move in 28/1/10 - Reno completion 5/2/10. Heard from my wife who attended 2nd appointment yesterday: - The divorcee has not cancelled their water/electricity/gas, so the old couple could not register to use city gas. So they have not put up the kitchen cabinet. Now has to cook using private gas. Agent is working on to ask for compensation, but through ???lawyer? sure not worth ! in term of time & $. I will personally handover my existing unit's key to lawyer on 29/1/10. Piece of advise to buyer: try understand further yr seller and agent before buying.

Whether partial or in full by using cpf money, u have to be insured by HPS. You may be exempted if you have any in-force personal life insurance policy which can cover the remaining loan amount. How does HDB knows if you void the insurance policy halfway? Tricky issue. Better check with HDB officer to see what other alternatives you have, I also want to know. At same time, I will write to HDB to see what is the reply.

Are u intend to pay instalment fully by CPF? If CPF is used to pay instalment, u MUST buy HPS. If instalment by bankloan, then one can opt out this HPS. I personally do not understand the logic why there is such a rule exists(CPF HPS), time to abolish this. Whether to buy HPS ot not, should be a personally choice, regardless instalment methods. Right? In this case, u need to use cash to pay the instalment. Anyway, the $ in the cpf account is still your. You should approach yr MP for help - this is a policy matter.

Pocelain tile = ceramic tile. Water absorption <0.5%. Good for wall application, not for flooring. Ceramic layer will "chipp off" easily, due to hi-temp treatment during formation. Sharp/heavy object fall upon will leave unreversible "marks". Homogeneous tile is harder, granite is the best for flooring. There are "cheap" granite produced in/by China. Indian granites most exp.

Updates: -3 parties have signed "unofficial letter" to exchage keys...I'll get the key on 13/12/09. -Yesterday, agent confirmed title deed done and completion re-schedule to 21/12/09. Yet to receive HDB's letter on this. - Have signed the reno offer and hand picked some ceramic/homog tiles for tiolets & kitchen. Yet to pick granite.

Correct ! You will be left with nothing ( no compensation from any party)when lease expired and occupants may have to pay "demolish cost". This is a good question and our next generation/ most of population will face it. My personal view: - Basic structures able to last 99 year = steels rod in cement. ceiling/wall cements will chip off from time to time. - Electrical wiring (up and down stream), insulation of cables, with local climate and direct exposore to air with vertical/horizontal running in tray- about 50 years. This is a serious issue to look into, if not when time comes, many cases of fires due to s/c cos of insulation breakdown. - PVC piles, 100 years over, so long as no constant strong UV light exposure. - Believed, government must have studied other countries' building/structure/material usage, etc..

Just want to know why there is such a HDB design which master bed room without any window, blk 140, bedok north, 6 storey corner unit. Worst than a prisoner cell. Anyone cares to share?

Indeed quite interesting clause, who will apply permit to do "ceiling plastering"? False ceiling is more cost effectiveness than making ceiling uneven than do a plastering. The ceiling painting itself already very tiring.

Mine's blk810, bal facing PIE.

Hope this advise come not too late: U should sign a checklist on items to keep/remain, so when take over, u can check items against the list.

To large extend, it depends on the temp mgt supervisor's effectiveness to get defects done. Remember: He who speaks louder get things first, practically. some 3 yr ago, I got my baywater. No defects, but after a few months, glass underneath washing basin broke during the night. I took some pictures asked foe replacement. A day later, was told by supervisor the glass no longer available, I asked for supplier's name and I would call myself. He can't produce the name. Next day, he brough another supplier to view who said the glass was not what he supplied. I took his namecard for standby. I got mad and sent an email with pictures and the supervisor's name to Allgreen's Chairman, Mr. Goh. Within a few hours, glass fixed! Don't waste yr bullets, make sure you aim target right and one trigger....

Forgot one thing: download a file called " Strata living in Singapore" help you understand your right. www.bca.gov.sg/BMSM/others/strata_living.pdf

You have one-year liability period to report on the defects, date starting from receive key. Move in, why don't? Believed the MC (Management council) has not formed yet. And you paid 6 months maintenance fee(mgt + sinking) in advance. If not done within a year, ask your laywer (bank loan's laywer)retain 5% sum. Study your handbook. The management team now is temporary(usually 1 yr)under the Developer. Served defect checklists with your letter head with date and best with pictures. Take down the supervisor's name/IC number... Wait for 14 days. After 14 days not done, go to your laywer(bank loan's), with checklist, photo...etc, serve delveloper a letter, withholding all the payments(mnthly maintenance + instalment) and ask for compensation (if you cannot move in due to defects and need to rent house to stay and the like....). Remember keep all the records. Another way is to use pressure onto developer by sending letter to the press, you-tube, etc. May I know who is the developer, hope not FE.

If u have a checklist countersigned by both as to what items to be rectified before possession, and seller failed to do so you have the right. If no checklist, u are at losing end. The inspection is to check if any fundamentental changes (unauthorised installation, structural unsafe for human stay, etc)after deposit paid and right before physical possession, and not for things like door hander. For fundamental items (unexpressed, without checklist), suggest you to 1. Check tiolets' ceiling for leakage. 2. Check electrical wirings for leak/under size/unauthorised installation. Good luck.

Updates: Correction: The sale of unit of divorcee is handled by private laywer who is supposed to get the title deed done, but when? The 2 agents (DWG & HSR) were supposed to meet up on 8/11/09(sun), on issues of "private arrangement of key hand over" and compensation, if any. But meeting re-scheduled to 11/11/09(today). They are supposed to ink & sign the agreement, thought I think this doc might not have legal binding effects in eye of law. Have informed my lawyer to inform bank on penalty issue due to non-reimbursement of loan within 6 months. Was told not to worry, so long as it is not a cancellation of loan. Have written to the ST, not yet published. If the old coupler breaks contra with the divorcee, meaning that the couple has to stay somewhere else for 6 wk. Will walk in to see DWG's DR, Wee for solutions, if no news from agent by end of today.

Appreciate yr comments/advises. Confirmed today that HDB lawyer will act on the divorcees' behave to get TD done. Completion date confirmed entended to 30/12/09. I'm a long standing customer of UOB with various accounts, and I believed in loyalty & simplicity, so use back UOB. Next, my agent is trying to arrange, privately so called, with HSR agent to get keys exchanged among 3 perties on 9/12/09. And the sellers to me has agreed applying reno permit under his name. Officially, money will be exchanged hands on 30/12/09. Some complications for this arrangement: 1. Will divorcees agree to let old couple occupying unit on 9/12/09 and apply reno permit in their name? As understand, will take a wk for the couple's reno. 2. Spoken to HDB on this, was told either legalise or illegise. But if anything goes wrong during the reno period, the applicant is hold responsible. I think should not be an issue. Will write to the press's forum to challenge HDB's inflexibility of processing the transactions, since HDB holds record of divorcees' property status, whether in soft or hard. Will find out more info on this Richard of HSR and send HSR a letter with docs, questioning the creditibilty & reputation. Might write to press on this.

Have my 1st hdb apptment yesterday as a buyer, but get caught in between by the other party who sold the house to my seller. They are in contra term. My seller who bought the unit from a pair of divorcees who had "throw away", as claimed, the title deed. The Completion was first fixed on 9 Dec, cos of the title deed incident, might be extended till ??? Below is the story: 1. I bought the 5rm unit on 1/8/09, downpayment & OTP done on the same day, hope to get transaction done asap. Was told same day bu agent that, the seller is looking for a 3 rm flat. I have indicated my intention to the agent who acts between the buyer & seller. 2. I secured a 90% bank loan on 11/8/09 and letter of offer signed on this day. If loan is not disbursed within 6 months from this date, I would have to pay a penalty of 2% of the total loan amount. Called up agent to check seller's buying status, was told the seller looking for unit which can offer contra term! Fine, finally seller found one (the pair of divorcee) and application submitted on 18/8/09. 1st appt fixed on 4/11/09. 3. To my great shock yesterday, the divorcee said in front of the lawyer from the legal dept that they have "thrown away" the TD. They are advised to advertise the "lost & found" adv in the 3 local newspapers, if no found after 7 days, they have to make a legal oath and TD be re-produced. HDB estimated completion to be on 30/12/09, if TD can be re-produced in time! To me, divorcee has taken sales of house as child play and their exclusive agent (2% comm)(HSR)also failed his service. Never mind, after this he went "oversea" and will be back this weekend! 4. On 1/8/09, I engaged a exclusive agent and sold my private unit(presently I am staying)on 20/9/09, mutually agreed(doc signed)completion on 1/2/2010, after knowing the 1st appontment date and taking the reno period (1 mnth)into consideration...... Yesterday, spoke to the HDB officer-in-charge and dropped her an email on my situations, asking her favour to laise between legal dept for "special consideration".....Supercially to me, the pair of divorcee (did not talk to each other on the spot!)with their mentality, would take "super long" and could end up "never" make the advistment & Oath. P/S: HDB officer advised me to ask my seller not to have "contra term" with the divorcees, so 2 of us can proceed. My seller is a pair of old coupler who has no cash and their only son is in Australia. I really do not want to take this route if have other choice. Anyone can advise me WHAT and HOW to do, as a buyer, in this case.

I just joined this forum not long ago, after reading your posts, seem you do not understand the "rules of the game". Many years ago I got caught in between too, so my advises on finiance side are: HDB resale: 1. Downpayment = 1k, follow by 4k after signing OTP with 14 day after paying downpayment. Hard cash. 2. COV(cash) 3. Stamp duty calculation = purchase price x 3% -5,400.(CPF or cash) 4. Valuation report = $180 (cash) 5. Agent fee ~ 1% + 7%GST (cash 6. Application submission ~ $20?? (cash) 7. Legal fee ~ $3000 (cpf or cash), or bank may absorb this. 8. Bank loan, 80% or 90% of purchase price. Depend on bank's quota & yr background. 9. Take about 1 week or so to get the "letter of offer" from bank. No hurry to exercise OTP until u got the letter. If not approve, yr 1K is a "donation". I have come across a few cases like this before (Livia, Blk414 BN...). So do your "homework" first. Be prepared to take loan links to "sibor" or " float" rate, bank has right to adjust the interest % at their discretion especially when the operating business is not to their favour, eg high uncertainty on rate of return, wars......In 1996 end, I received noticed fm bank wants to increase % (another $200 extra !), I immediately switched to "fixed rate",I being able to do that because the agreement effected less than 6 months after TOP! I paid the bank in full 11 months after I sold the 5rm. Early redeemtion charge amounted to ~9K, but worth. Understand your loan, breakdown by "payment toward principal" & "payment toward interest", will tell you a better picture that WHAT you and the BANK are doing. I recently got a 5 rm pt blk,resale. Downpayment & OTP done on the same day....Secured a 90% loan from UOB.

Do not forget the "stamp duty" which is (purchase price x 3% -$5400) can be paid in cash or cpf.

What happen to HDB office in charge!. Wondering anyone here have submitted request to cut down usual's 6-8 wk to 4 wk for 2nd appointment? My agent has standby a letter, prepare to hand-submit to hdb's officer in charge on 1st appointment. My case a little conplicated. The seller to me, bought a 3 rm under contra with the other party. 3 of us have to be present!