zirhk3355

Hmmz then i really need to get the guy to check; mine both are maxed out liao...

Sorry if I sound atas, but my grip with budget airlines are the passengers. Took Tiger airline to Hatyai once, at that time where was no seating arrangements, it was at budget terminal where there is no link bridge; you have to walk to the plane. There was a queue, but if you are expecting the usual "old folks, children and women with infants to board first", dream on. That short distance from the gate to the plane was like 100m sprint at a school's sports day; the scramble to climb up the stairs was akin a scene out of 'resident evil' where the people are trying to get out of the infected city. As I got on the flight, I was greeted by uncles and aunties who sat at the corner seats of the aisle, pretending to be busy and not allowing anyone to sit in the same row that they had 'chope' for their own friends/relatives. I had to resist myself from saying, "but you also never put tissue packs there what!" Throughout the flight, the plane was buzzing with activities; babies crying, aunties/uncles 'wow-ing' as they look out of the windows, potato chips crunching, flight attendants was struggling to explain why its necessary for the passengers to be seated and fasten their seat belt. This is a time when you wish you had brought along your SAF-issued ear plugs. When the time finally came to disembark, I heaved a sigh of relief as I thought my woes were over. I was wrong. As I stood up to take down the baggages from the overhead carriages, a middle-aged man rushed from behind and tried to squeeze pass me to the not-yet-opened door. When he realised that his efforts were in vain, he greeted me with, "Ch**bye, stand down there block people for f**k!". I managed to fight my urge to become the first air-rage passenger on a budget airline, probably also because my parents and old relatives were onboard and I am shy to let them share this glory. Walking down the link bridge looking forward to my holiday and smiling at the nice thai officers who were showing us the way, suddenly I saw my mum being thrown forward by a huge shove from behind. It was middle-aged man again, screaming "SIAM AHH!!" as he rushed off, seemingly chased by an invisible bull from behind. I did not know what happened thereafter, but the next thing I knew was my wife and dad were struggling to hold my arms and the middle-aged uncle being held back by his kakis, with a reddish patch on his left eye. I swear never to go for budget airline ever again.

You are right - " I did not know" is not a good defence at all and proof of due diligence is very important. I always advise some of my friends who are renting out to record what they had done in black and white, so in case anything goes wrong they have proof. Eg when checking on the unit, always go with a friend/relative and note down the date/time. At the end of the day, renting out properties always entail responsibilities, just that by doing due diligence you can reduce (not eliminate) the risks...

Wow thanks for the detailed explanation!! But I had already turned to max liao; the water is, I would consider, very warm, but not hot enough leh. Speaking of this, I vaguely remembered that the technican who came to test my stove, he told me that I could ask citygas to adjust the flame to even higher, ie adjust the internal switch beyond the max point of the knob. But when I call the hotline, nobody seemed to know about it, so I gave up. Has anyone done it before??

But one full pail just from the pipe...? Its one of those big red pail leh...

Well as a businessman answering to our shareholders/investors, we could say that, because our responsibility is to earn money. But as a civil servant, we no longer have such responsibilities. Prices are set not to earn money, but to cover costs and control the market. If prices should be increased, then it should only be when there are too much demand, for eg. But what are we seeing today? Hyped-up fanciful HDB flats being promoted akin some kind of luxury condos, complete with full page ads, private developers, marketing agencies, et al. The media pumped up its publicity, telling everyone how popular the place is, how high demand is, etc. Ministers come in to tell us how wonderful it is to stay in a place like that. In essence, such behaviour is akin a profitable establishment trying to make use of the market forces to push up the prices. I do not deny caveat emptor, the govt did not force the people to buy the flats at gunpoint, but is that the right behaviour of a so-called "non-profitable" civil service? Think about this: The magic stone conman also did not force our old folks to buy from him; why did we arrest him and make him a criminal??

Who chairman??? But nice meeting you also...hehe...

For illegal activities such as overstayers, gambling, etc - its all given inside the tenancy agreement. The landlord's responsibility is checking the tenants' particulars at the initial stage, and act upon any information that he came across later. Its not the duty of the landlord to check on the unit everyday, much less to enter the unit to check. As mentioned above, the tenant has full control of the unit as long as the tenancy agreement is in order; the landlord would be liable for any loss/damages to the tenants' belongings if the former made an illegal entry. On the legal side, the authorities is only concerned as to whether the landlord had performed due diligence to check the tenants and is NOT aware of any activities. Eg a neighbour complained to the authorities that he had already told the landlord about some suspicious activities but the landlord did not do anything, then the landlord will get into trouble.

Actually on paper, the tenant is correct; if your read the standard tenancy agreement, the tenant has full control of the unit when you rented it to him/her. The landlord does not have any rights to enter the unit during the tenancy; even if the tenant fails to pay the rent, the landlord can only lock up the unit from outside. For any works to be done within the unit, the landlord must also seek permission from the tenant. However, in reality, we as landlord would also want to control. I believe the most diplomatic way to solve this issue is to duplicate the keys and give the tenant all the original, telling him/her that you had handed over all the keys already.

A conspiracy theory of mine : The reason why HDB refused to maintain its objective of public housing and start to build fanciful flats *COULD BE* because our govt wants CONTROL. Just look at the current situation, 80% in HDB flats; one simple wave of the magic wand (policy change) and everyone kana. All the power in their hands! No need to ponder over various policies and come up with complicated 'thrusts' or whatsoever. *PERHAPS ALSO*, they do not want to let go of this lucrative market of housing to private developers (look at Ng Teng Fong and you will know how big this market is...); they still want to have a share of the real estate pie even though the people becomes more affluent and start to grow out of basic public housing. So they try to play the catch-up game to cater to our needs; which is why today we have our boon keng $700k+ flats with 'condo-like' facilities.

Hi, you seemed to imply that the gas heater can heat up the water immediately; is that true?? Everytime I switched on my kitchen tap (which is right below the heater), it would still take awhile before it gets warm. My MBR toilet even worse; I have to let the water flow for like almost a full pail before it becomes warm.

Erm, have to defend the building services centre here; when I went there with my problems, I was attended by a bangala too, but he was quite friendly and command of english is ok. Whatever he cannot understand, he will ask me to write down and will pass to his supervisor later. The very next day, two workers came up and rectified my problems quickly. Thumbs up!!

I think so too! But beg to differ on the how we should 'shift the statistics' - we should only mean to bring down the prices for private developments, but not increase the prices of public housing. In fact, the gap should be WIDEN, not reduced. If we increase prices of public housing and force people into buying private, it may work for awhile but we are leaving behind the needy people and forcing them into difficulties; there would be nowhere else for them to go! First time home seekers would also find it impossible start a family without incurring huge debts. However, if we were to reduce HDB flats to truly affordable public housing, steer away from fanciful half-million-dollar flats, build small units with only basic fittings and impose restrictions on resale prices, then those who are more affluent would naturally turn to private developments. To further help the situation, as I said above, more land banks should be released to bring down the prices of private development. Anything happen, eg retrenched, family member develop terminal (expensive) dieases, etc, they can come back to basic public housing. In short, our people have a CHOICE.

Wah, five adults...mine only got 3 adults, every morning by 8:30am everyone is out, until 6+ then come back. Even so, won't on the aircon until 10+ when we go to bed...

GCW after wedding can go zouk; one upz for me...hehe...

Yup, sim lim square and sim lim tower would have what you want. If you want to record the footage, of course your computer will have to be on. Otherwise, you can also get a tape recorder to do the work. Would also recommend you to get those models (no names, sorry...u got to find out) that are motion-activated; ie if the image is the same (no movement), it will stop recording after like 2 to 3 mins and wait until the image changes. This, of course, saves the tape's duration or file size in your computer.

I supposed the problem still exists, or at least for me. I cannot have two showers being used at the same time. Bill-wise, I also do not think I save alot, maybe because of usage habits; I cannot stand cold water, so I will let the water run until it gets hot (gas heater will only work when you turn on the tap/shower). But I will (try to) save the water in a pail and use it to wash feet or flush the toilet. Thus, while I save electricity by not using an electrical heater, my consumption for water and gas increase. In the end my overall bill is still hovers +/- $150, which I think is about the same as every standard young couple (both working, no kids, seldom cook) in a 5-rm flat.

I am confused... !! If the above is true, then the following para seemed to be contradicting it...? If new products always command a premium to old product, how could existing home owners benefit? And if genuine first time home seekers are to be able to get flats at affordable levels, do you mean to say they should start with resale flats, ie old products, first? Much agree with your explanations, if given that HDB is a free market; however my stand is that should not have been the case in the first place, because it defeats the primary purpose of public housing in catering to the needy and first time home seekers. In short, public housing cannot be a free market; it should be the basic social safety net for the people and those who really needs it are the needy and first time home seekers. And indeed, it seemed to be only in Uniquely Singapore that more than 80% of us stay in HDB flats, so-called "public housing".

Usually not very nice lor, cuz you are married FROM your maternal home (ie the home you are borned into) mah. I have only seen people holding the groom side's tea ceremony at the new home, but everything related to bride side must be done at her maternal home...

Well, merchants' basic motivation is to earn profits and answer to their shareholders/investors; it is understandable. But what irks me is while the HDB/govt is telling us that they are not out to make a profit and doing things for 'our own good', at the same time, they increase prices for the existing stock of flats. Alas, I am nothing more than an armchair critic; not up to it for any political position lahh...

And what's that shiny cylinder beside the dustbin? Another gadget??

In the past, existing flats' owners were profiteering, ie selling their flats at high prices then go get new flats. The govt says this is wrong, which I agree, but how did they solve it? They came up with a crooked reason that in order to stop this, they have to price new flats at resale prices, on top of all the resale levies already imposed. Which is nonsensical, because it is yet another catch 22 situation that the govt put themselves into, akin the ERP situation. Now the property is booming, resale prices go up, new flats prices also go up; those who want to buy, cannot afford anything! Then too many flats how? Change this policy, change that policy, so that more people can buy. The results? We see various 'class' of HDB flats and also closing the gap with private developments; now we have $700K+ HDB flats, what's next?? The whole idea of public housing and catering to the masses is hence defeated. New buyers scrambled to dump their life-savings into a small pigeon hole, while existing owners worry every other day if the property bubble burst, resale value drops and makes them lose money. EVERYONE is affected by this; do you have a CHOICE? In the first place, HDB flats being public housing, should never be made a 'free market' and influenced by 'market forces'. Resale prices should be controlled, perhaps pegged at the existing owners' buying price + accrued interest +/- another 10% to cover reno and other costs, or something like that. Then, more land banks should be released to private developers and increase the supply of low-end ECs and condos. Those who think they can afford to 'play' the market, then go buy private developments. Scared of burning your fingers, want to play safe or just want a simple roof over your head? No problem; we will always have the CHOICE of getting a HDB flat for you. This way, HDB serves its PRIMARY purpose of catering to the low and mid-income masses, and only then those public policies like income ceiling, family nucleus, fiance-fiancee, single, etc would will continue to make sense. Phew...haha...yet another ranting from me...

Erm, beg to differ here. If HDB priced a new 4-rm flat at $250K and you also intend to sell your 4-rm flat (similiar layout, area, location, etc) in the resale market, would you sell your flat at below $250k?? So its not possible that new flats would outprice the resale ones...

Other that profiteering, what other reasons?? No increase in building costs; not as though they are building a new block with higher costs, but its an existing BLOCK that is already built! And the worse thing is that increasing new flats' prices will definitely push up the resale market; those who think that is a good thing, think again. Sell high, buy high. There is no way you can profit from a better pricing for your current flat, unless you move to another location or downgrade.

The Electric New Paper : HDB says prices of new flats pegged to current resale prices, flats in outer areas cheaper Why is brother's flat cheaper? Brother buys flat last year. Now, he wants to buy one Same block, same floor, same size, so... HIS brother had bought a new four-room HDB flat for $280,000 under the Balloting Exercise last February. By Desmond Ng 21 February 2008 HIS brother had bought a new four-room HDB flat for $280,000 under the Balloting Exercise last February. Earlier this month, he applied to buy a similar unit there, only to find out that the price had gone up to $364,000 - an increase of about 30 per cent. The unit was the same size and was even on the same floor and block in Bukit Merah. The buyer, a manager who wanted to be known only as Andy, felt that the price increase did not make sense. 'I was shocked when I saw the price online. Even my brother couldn't believe it. If there's no change in construction cost since the block is already built, why did the price go up? 'In general, the prices of flats in that area have increased, but not by such a huge jump. 'What's the explanation for the hike?' he asked. HDB said that it is not appropriate to compare the twoprices as there is a one-year difference between the two sales launches. In the pricing of new flats, HDB said it takes into account the market values of equivalent resale flats in the area. The HDB resale market did exceptionally well last year, and prices increased by 17.5 per cent compared to year 2006. Andy, who is in his 40s, decided to apply for a four-room flat in Bukit Merah despite having to pay more than his brother. He is currently living in a HDB flat in the central part of Singapore. 'I've little choice. I want to live near my mum, who is living with my brother,' he said. But another home-owner we spoke to in that estate is more than happy with the increased value of her new flat, even though she will not be able to sell it for five years. Housewife Joyce Soh, 37, saw her flat's value go up by more than 20 per cent in a year. She had bought the five-room flat last year and moved in three months ago. She paid $408,000 for a 1,184sqft unit on the 24th floor. Today, a similar-sized unit in the same block is going for about $502,800 in the latest Balloting Exercise, although it is on a lower floor, according to information from HDB's website. POPULAR AREA Ms Soh, who relocated from Taman Ho Swee, said she is not surprised by the increase in price. 'This location is very central and it's near the city,' she said. 'Prices of other HDB flats in this area are also some of the highest, too,' she said. Bukit Merah is one of the most sought-after HDB estates due its proximity to town. Record prices have become the norm in this estate and in nearby Queenstown. Last June, a five-room flat in Bukit Merah was sold for $720,000. In January, an executive flat in nearby Queenstown was sold for a whopping $890,000 - one of the most expensive Housing Board flats in the country. PropNex CEO Mohamed Ismail said it is unusual for prices of newflats to increase by such a huge percentage within a year. He said it could be because flatprices for the Balloting Exercise (BE) last February were decided before the HDB market started to pick up during that quarter. Mr Ismail also said that the HDBresale price increased by only 2 per cent for the whole of2006. Last year, HDB resale prices rose by 1.3 per cent in the firstquarter and soared to 6.6 per cent in the third quarter. Mr Eric Cheng, executive director of HSR Property group, said that market valuation for resale flats has gone up at least 30per cent compared to last year. Mr Cheng said: 'If resale prices increase, logically, new flat prices will increase too. 'And prices in Bukit Merah are also higher because of location and amenities.' -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. Co. Regn. No. 198402868E. All rights reserved. Privacy Statement and Conditions of Access