20 to 26 February 2024
HDB will launch around 6,830 June 2024 BTO flats. Meanwhile, a Facebook listing for a small room in a Toa Payoh Central flat sparked online outrage, with netizens slamming the landlord for renting out the “morgue-like” room.
1. About 6,830 HDB BTO June 2024 flats to be launched
HDB will launch around 6,830 BTO flats across six estates in June 2024: Jurong East, Kallang/Whampoa, Queenstown, Tampines, Woodlands, and Yishun.
Out of the six June 2024 BTO projects, those in the Kallang/Whampoa and Queenstown may be offered under the Prime Location Public Housing (PLH) model. BTO flats under the PLH model have tighter eligibility guidelines, including a longer Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) of 10 years.
Notably, the two June 2024 BTO sites in Kallang/Whampoa will have about 2,020 units, with some flats offering waterfront views.
Located near Holland Village, the Queenstown June 2024 BTO project boasts excellent transport links, with Holland Village MRT station just a six-minute walk away. It is also near various schools, including Anglo-Chinese Junior College, Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) and Fairfield Methodist School.
The June 2024 HDB BTO project in Woodlands will have about 1,590 flats, while the HDB BTO June 2024 Yishun project will have about 1,270 units.
Meanwhile, Jurong East and Tampines projects will have 1,070 and 550 units, respectively.
2. Landlord slammed for ‘morgue-like’ listing
A Facebook listing for a small room in a Toa Payoh Central flat sparked online outrage, with netizens slamming the landlord for renting out the morgue-like room, reported The Straits Times.
Offered for $600 a month, the room – which appears to be a utility room – comes with a three-tier open storage rack, a fan and a small desk.
One Facebook user pointed out that the room is worse than a morgue, which usually comes with air-conditioning. Another Facebook user questioned whether the landlord has a conscience.
Notably, renting out utility rooms in HDB flats is illegal.
“Only bedrooms originally constructed by HDB can be rented out. All other parts of the flat, including partitioned rooms, cannot be used as bedrooms for tenants,” said HDB.
Those engaging in unauthorised rental may be issued a written warning, imposed a fine of up to $50,000, or have their flats compulsorily acquired by HDB.
HDB has taken action against 730 unauthorised flat rental cases between 2010 and 2021.
3. Over 5,000 flats launched for sale under February 2024 BTO and SBF sales exercises
HDB launched 5,714 flats under its February 2024 BTO and Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) exercises.
Of the total, 4,126 HDB BTO Feb 2024 flats spread across seven new BTO projects are in Bedok, Hougang, Choa Chu Kang, Queenstown, Woodlands, and Punggol. HDB noted that five of the February 2024 BTO projects, or more than 80% of the BTO units launched, come with a waiting time of under 3.5 years.
The remaining 1,588 are SBF units situated across various towns and estates.
The flats range from 2-room to 5-room units to meet diverse housing needs and budgets.
To ensure affordability, the flats are priced with significant market discounts, making their selling price considerably lower compared to transacted prices of comparable resale flats.
The February 2024 sales exercise marks this year’s first of three BTO launches.
To give applicants more time to decide, HDB extended the seven-day application period to eight days.
4. Leaks and condensation issues continue to plague Tengah residents
Some flat owners in Tengah are still grappling with issues arising from the defective centralised cooling system, months after problems with the alternative air-conditioning system first emerged, reported CNA.
Photos and videos circulating on a Telegram chat group showed puddles forming on the floors of BTO units due to leaks in the centralised cooling system.
Notably, issues with the cooling system arose before key collection started in August 2023.
Although SP Group has taken measures to address the concerns, such as lowering rates and waiving usage charges, complaints about leaks and condensation persist.
Some homeowners complained that the leaks caused significant damage to their homes, leading to delays in renovations.
SP Group acknowledged the challenges, noting that improvements have been made to their installation and quality assurance processes.
“After proactively implementing our additional testing, commissioning works and quality assurance measures, we have observed the situation stabilising,” it said.
5. URA awards Orchard Boulevard site
United Venture Development (No. 7) has been awarded the 7,031.4 sq m site at Orchard Boulevard after it submitted the highest bid of $428.28 million, revealed the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).
Zoned “Residential with Commercial at first storey”, the site has a maximum permissible gross floor area of 24,610 sq m and a 99-year leasehold tenure.
The tender for the site was launched on 17 October 2023 and closed on 1 February 2024, with four bids received.
Valerian Residential submitted the second-highest bid at $418 million, while SL Capital (8) offered the lowest at $393.9 million.
Related article: Government Land Sales (GLS) Programme Guide (Updated With GLS Sites for 1H2024 Singapore)
6. The residential site at 27 Geylang Lorong 32 sold for $12.25 million
A freehold residential site at No. 27 Geylang Lorong 32 has been sold to Primest Land V1 for $12.25 million, which works out to an $804 per plot ratio (ppr) after factoring in the Land Betterment Charge (LBC).
Situated within prime District 14, the site has received outline planning permission to be redeveloped into an eight-storey boutique development with 20 apartment units averaging 85 sq ft each.
AFL Development, founded by Fanny Cheng, will oversee the development.
Dr Tan Tee Khoon, Country Manager – Singapore, PropertyGuru, noted that District 14 holds historical significance in Singapore, with Geylang known for its affordable foods.
“The district has been attractive to buyers mainly because of the effort that has gone into preserving its cultural heritage, which includes projects like the Geylang River Projects, Paya Lebar Central and the Civic Centre of Wisma Geylang Serai,” he said.
He noted that most of the new projects in Geylang are boutique-sized, featuring an average size of 818 sq ft.
“The petite size and lower capital outlay makes the units more investor-friendly. They continue to gain popularity with property seekers and investors who wish to live in the city fringe with easy accessibility to the city centre,” he added.
7. Serene Centre sold for $105 million
Serene Centre, a four-storey mixed-use development at the junction of Farrer Road and Bukit Timah Road, has been sold for $105 million to the Teo family from Apricot Capital and partners, reported CNA.
Cushman and Wakefield shared that co-living operator The Assembly Place (TAP) was named the asset manager.
Built in the 1980s, the development comprises 30 retail and food and beverage (F&B) units on its lower floors and 10 apartment units on its upper floors.
TAP revealed that the retail spaces will be revitalised while the apartment units will be converted into co-living spaces.
“Eighty-six service apartment rooms have been planned on the upper floors as part of the co-living concept, complemented with communal facilities such as kitchens, utility rooms and lounge areas,” it said.
Renovation works, which are set to start in April 2024, are expected to be completed by the end of Q1 2025, it added.
8. Crystal Court relaunched for sale, priced at $115 million
Crystal Court, a five-storey mixed-use development in District 10, has been relaunched for sale with a guide price of $115 million or $2,456 per sq ft per plot ratio (PSF ppr), revealed Edmund Tie & Co.
The development and an adjoining site between River Valley Road and Crystal Court are offered for sale.
Enjoying a dual frontage along Nathan Road and River Valley Road, Crystal Court occupies a 1,554.2 sq m freehold site and features 16 apartment units, a commercial unit on the ground floor and a basement carpark.
The adjoining plot, on the other hand, spans 377 sq m and is being used as a private service road with surface carpark lots.
Both sites are zoned “Commercial and Residential” under the URA 2019 Master Plan.
Swee Shou Fern, Edmund Tie’s Head of Investment Advisory, said developers could repurpose the existing building of Crystal Court for alternative uses such as co-living residences, serviced residences, a hotel or a postpartum care centre.
The two plots can also be amalgamated and redeveloped into a five-storey boutique mixed-use development, said Edmund Tie, which invited interested parties to submit separate tenders for each property.
The tender for the two properties closes on 9 April 2024.
9. 3-bedroom apartment at Eden Residences Capitol up for sale
A 3-bedroom apartment at Eden Residences Capitol will be auctioned on 28 February 2024, carrying a guide price of $5.9 million or $2,783 PSF, revealed Huttons Asia.
Located on the fifth floor, the single-storey apartment spans 2,120 sq ft and features en-suite bathrooms, spacious bedrooms, a balcony and a private lift.
While the property is sold with existing tenancy, those buying for their occupation can give the tenant a six-month notice to vacate.
“This presents an attractive option for discerning investors seeking a prestigious urban address. Eden Residences Capitol is the only luxury residence in District 6, Singapore’s Civic and Cultural District,” said Geri Ang, Huttons Asia’s Director of Sales and Auction.
Related article: Singapore District Map: Defining the CCR, RCR and OCR by the 28 Districts
10. Semi-detached house at Jalan Arif on sale for $6.7 million
A semi-detached house at Jalan Arif in Kovan will be auctioned on 28 February 2024 with an asking price of $6.7 million, revealed Huttons Asia.
This costs $1,200 PSF based on the property’s 5,573 sq ft land area.
With a leasehold tenure of 999 years, the property occupies a regular-shaped site and boasts a wide frontage of about 12 m. Huttons noted that the property is suitable for addition and alteration or redevelopment.
“This is a rare opportunity for buyers seeking inter-generational living to acquire a good-size piece of land with a wide frontage in a popular residential enclave at Kovan,” said James Wong, Huttons Asia’s Head of Sales and Auction.
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Marcus Lee, Content Executive at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact him about this story, email: marcuslee@propertyguru.com.sg.
