Significant Property News & Discussions

[teddybear]

I was surprised that this is so common now! I make an enquiry and found 10 advertisements for rooms to rent in The Sail!

Illegal short-term rentals on the rise


May 7, 2012 - PropertyGuru.com.sg


By Romesh Navaratnarajah:
A rising number of homeowners are earning extra income by renting spare rooms to paying guests for a few days, even advertising on short-term accommodation websites.

Over the last five years, the practice has become more common on websites like Airbnb, Wimdu, 9flats and Roomorama, where residents have been promoting spare rooms in their houses and condos. There are over 230 listings currently available on Airbnb.

Typically, a room is rented out for as low as S$40 a day. Apart from a place to sleep, some hosts also offer hotel-style services like breakfast, complimentary ez-link cards and free toiletries.

According to a spokesman for the URA (Urban Redevelopment Authority), private residential properties may only be rented out or sublet for six months or more, as ‘transient occupiers’ could inconvenience other residents.

The URA said that it will investigate such cases and inspect the properties. If caught, owners will be issued an enforcement notice. If it continues, they could be liable to a fine of up to S$200,000 or a one-year jail term, or both.

One host said he was unaware of the URA ruling when he listed his shophouse in Chinatown on Airbnb, as he only wished to meet new friends from around the world.

He recalled that since January, about 10 guests had been renting a spare room in the apartment, which he shares with a housemate. He added that the rental earnings have offset nearly a third of their monthly rent.

He also said that guests were mostly quiet and his neighbours have not complained. Despite the risk, he noted that he would still continue hosting.

Meanwhile, the websites assured that their terms and conditions encourage users to abide by the laws. Airbnb said that it will continue to educate users on the importance of observing regulations.

[teddybear]

When you are in such neighbourhood, you can expect all sort of unthinkable nasty things!



Punggol residents complain about ‘poo bomber'
May 7, 2012 - PropertyGuru.com.sg
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:
Residents at Punggol Central have been complaining about a
‘poo bomber’ who has been throwing faeces from the higher
floors of their HDB flats for the past two months.
According to a news report, the acts have been taking place at
Block 161A (pictured) in Punggol Central. Residents of the
block have been complaining that the area is dirty and
disgusting and that the stench is unbearable.
According to a female resident who lives on a lower floor, the incidents do not occur at a fixed time and
sometimes take place early in the morning or around dinner time. She went on to say that only faeces
were thrown at first, but the attacks have since intensified and urine was dumped too.
The woman known as Zhou, believes the thrown faeces are animal poo. Aside from making the area
unsightly, she said the faeces have dirtied laundry that’s hung outside windows.
Several residents noted that complaints have been made to the town council. However, the problem still
continues despite the distribution of leaflets around the block calling on residents to be more civicminded.
Residents living on higher floors and who own pets have denied responsibility over the issue.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson from the National Environment Agency (NEA) said it has received three
complaints about the matter.
To address the issue, it has installed a CCTV camera to monitor the situation. Agency personnel have
also visited the area and encouraged residents to report the culprit and reminded them that the
perpetrator will bear full responsibility for the inconvenience caused to residents.

[eng81157]

When you are in such neighbourhood, you can expect all sort of unthinkable nasty things!



Punggol residents complain about ‘poo bomber'
May 7, 2012 - PropertyGuru.com.sg
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:
Residents at Punggol Central have been complaining about a
‘poo bomber’ who has been throwing faeces from the higher
floors of their HDB flats for the past two months.
According to a news report, the acts have been taking place at
Block 161A (pictured) in Punggol Central. Residents of the
block have been complaining that the area is dirty and
disgusting and that the stench is unbearable.
According to a female resident who lives on a lower floor, the incidents do not occur at a fixed time and
sometimes take place early in the morning or around dinner time. She went on to say that only faeces
were thrown at first, but the attacks have since intensified and urine was dumped too.
The woman known as Zhou, believes the thrown faeces are animal poo. Aside from making the area
unsightly, she said the faeces have dirtied laundry that’s hung outside windows.
Several residents noted that complaints have been made to the town council. However, the problem still
continues despite the distribution of leaflets around the block calling on residents to be more civicminded.
Residents living on higher floors and who own pets have denied responsibility over the issue.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson from the National Environment Agency (NEA) said it has received three
complaints about the matter.
To address the issue, it has installed a CCTV camera to monitor the situation. Agency personnel have
also visited the area and encouraged residents to report the culprit and reminded them that the
perpetrator will bear full responsibility for the inconvenience caused to residents.

hahahaha will HDB prices there now divebomb?

[teddybear]

Why is the high-end CCR condos stuck in the mud? -
Now I got more concrete information: Many of the rich who are potential buyers are now buying overseas! Why? Because of all the cooling measures, lowering LTV, SSDs and ABSD!

And what is the fuss you may ask?
Because S$ flowing out into foreign currencies!

You may ask, so what is the fuss?
Big deal! When S$ exchanged into foreign currencies, S$ drop. Then, MAS frantically trying to prop up S$ to hedge against inflation!

Doesn't make sense right? They implement all these cooling measures including the ABSD targeting foreigners, and yet the rich Singaporeans are moving money overseas depressing S$ (and foreigners discouraged from moving money into S$ to buy Singapore properties because of all these ABSD and SSD) and then MAS spending Singapore's reserves to try to franctically prop up S$! I wonder how much paper loss they have now on the forex they are making because of these multiple effects that actually they self-created?

It is always loss-making to try to artificially prop up own currency vs trying to push down own currency (which is very easy - just print the paper money and S$ exchange rate will drop quickly!).

[DC33_2008]

This is an obvious move. Playing field is getting too restricted in singapore.

Why is the high-end CCR condos stuck in the mud? -
Now I got more concrete information: Many of the rich who are potential buyers are now buying overseas! Why? Because of all the cooling measures, lowering LTV, SSDs and ABSD!

And what is the fuss you may ask?
Because S$ flowing out into foreign currencies!

You may ask, so what is the fuss?
Big deal! When S$ exchanged into foreign currencies, S$ drop. Then, MAS frantically trying to prop up S$ to hedge against inflation!

Doesn't make sense right? They implement all these cooling measures including the ABSD targeting foreigners, and yet the rich Singaporeans are moving money overseas depressing S$ (and foreigners discouraged from moving money into S$ to buy Singapore properties because of all these ABSD and SSD) and then MAS spending Singapore's reserves to try to franctically prop up S$! I wonder how much paper loss they have now on the forex they are making because of these multiple effects that actually they self-created?

[teddybear]

Singapore's CCR prime and luxury properties cannot even compete in price with an equivalent location in London!
This is despite all the smokes and talks about how good Singapore's economy has performed for the past decade vs UK (and how bad UK's economy is and how high their unemployment rate are!. If this is the case, why London's properties still so much more in demand and much better price than Singapore? All talk only?



West beckons affluent Asian buyers


May 11, 2012 - PropertyGuru.com.sg


By Romesh Navaratnarajah:
Prime property prices in the West are rising as more buyers from emerging countries shift their attention to more attractive destinations.

In London, real estate values now stand at around £3,000 psf (S$6,058 psf), which is similar to what was seen before the 2008 financial crisis. Despite the rise in stamp duties, sentiment has not faltered, especially among Asian buyers.

For instance, Hong Kong investors snapped up over £8 million (S$16.16 million) worth of residential units in Fitzroy Place, a new development at London’s Fitzrovia district.

The integrated development comprises 237 private apartments and 200,000 sq ft of prime office space. Developer Exemplar Properties said the price range for a unit ranges from £605,000 (S$1.22 million) to £8.5 million (S$17.17 million).

About 15 to 20 percent of the buyers are East Asians, noted Exemplar, which is in Singapore for the second leg of its Asian roadshow.

“The first allocation was sold out within three days in Hong Kong, so now we’re here in Singapore with a second allocation and already interest from Singaporean buyers have been huge – some twenty units have been sold ahead of the exhibition,” said Daniel Van Gelder, co-founder of Exemplar.

Affluent Asians are buying more luxury homes in the West, given the high property taxes in their own countries.

Citi Private Bank and Knight Frank revealed that prime property values were up 12 percent in London over the past year, while prices in Shanghai dropped 3.4 percent and stood close to five percent in Singapore.

“From Asian clients we’ve seen over the last 18 months an increase in investor demand in the UK for both commercial and residential markets… They’re buying for capital growth and as a safe haven,” said Tim Bowring, Managing Director and Regional Head of Global Real Estate Investments at Citi Private Bank.

[teddybear]

Obvious move? Yes indeed. But why policies makers never think of that?
They implement policies to encourage people to sell S$ and then to frantically try to prop up S$ to lose our reserve's money?

This is an obvious move. Playing field is getting too restricted in singapore.

[HP65]

Singapore's CCR prime and luxury properties cannot even compete in price with an equivalent location in London!
This is despite all the smokes and talks about how good Singapore's economy has performed for the past decade vs UK (and how bad UK's economy is and how high their unemployment rate are!. If this is the case, why London's properties still so much more in demand and much better price than Singapore? All talk only?



West beckons affluent Asian buyers


May 11, 2012 - PropertyGuru.com.sg


By Romesh Navaratnarajah:
Prime property prices in the West are rising as more buyers from emerging countries shift their attention to more attractive destinations.

In London, real estate values now stand at around £3,000 psf (S$6,058 psf), which is similar to what was seen before the 2008 financial crisis. Despite the rise in stamp duties, sentiment has not faltered, especially among Asian buyers.

For instance, Hong Kong investors snapped up over £8 million (S$16.16 million) worth of residential units in Fitzroy Place, a new development at London’s Fitzrovia district.

The integrated development comprises 237 private apartments and 200,000 sq ft of prime office space. Developer Exemplar Properties said the price range for a unit ranges from £605,000 (S$1.22 million) to £8.5 million (S$17.17 million).

About 15 to 20 percent of the buyers are East Asians, noted Exemplar, which is in Singapore for the second leg of its Asian roadshow.

“The first allocation was sold out within three days in Hong Kong, so now we’re here in Singapore with a second allocation and already interest from Singaporean buyers have been huge – some twenty units have been sold ahead of the exhibition,” said Daniel Van Gelder, co-founder of Exemplar.

Affluent Asians are buying more luxury homes in the West, given the high property taxes in their own countries.

Citi Private Bank and Knight Frank revealed that prime property values were up 12 percent in London over the past year, while prices in Shanghai dropped 3.4 percent and stood close to five percent in Singapore.

“From Asian clients we’ve seen over the last 18 months an increase in investor demand in the UK for both commercial and residential markets… They’re buying for capital growth and as a safe haven,” said Tim Bowring, Managing Director and Regional Head of Global Real Estate Investments at Citi Private Bank.

Jones LL previewed a London project about a week back and it was HOT! Its not even exactly prime prime but still the take up was good. The presentation was sleek and makan was top notch.....maybe that's why the project was so successful. Anybody invited for this launch??

[teddybear]

MAS should just restrict sales of such perpetual bonds as they are "toxic" to retail investors! I had warned before a few months ago and now news leaked that MAS is concerned!


Perp rush causes alarm in Singapore




By Kit Yin Boey
SINGAPORE, May 14 (IFR) - The unprecedented run of perpetual bond sales in Singapore's local market has caught the attention of the city state's regulators.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore is growing concerned about the number of potentially risky bonds that have ended up in the hands of individual investors. Bankers said MAS officials had voiced their concerns over retail holdings of perpetual bondsduring at least two informal meetings in recent weeks.
The central bank's scrutiny is preliminary, and there is no suggestion of any wrongdoing on the part of the banks or companies involved in the recent flurry of perpetual bond issues.
But the discussions show that the regulator is worried that individual investors may be taking on too much risk - or buying securities without a full understanding of the product.
More perpetual bonds were sold in Singapore in the first three months of 2012 than in the previous decade and a half.
The product offers companies the tantalising opportunity to raise funds with no dated maturity, typically winning some equity treatment under accounting rules and avoiding any impact on gearing ratios.
The higher coupons are attractive for investors in a low interest-rate environment, but the notes come with high duration risk since there is no guarantee of repayment.
Companies including Singapore Post, Mapletree Logistic Trust and Temasek-backed Olam International sold perpetual bonds earlier this year, lifting perpetual sales to S$3.1bn (US$2.5bn) in the first quarter.
A large proportion of those deals went to private banks, investing on behalf of individual clients.
MAS's focus, however, has sharpened since Genting Singapore offered S$500m to the public, giving the retail public the chance to invest via the automated teller machines of the city's local banks.
The retail offering was only the second such offering of perpetuals, with Hyflux being the first to do so when it launched the first corporate perpetual issue in April last year.
The problem with ATM machines is that, unlike stocks or other structured investment products sold over the counter, investors have no access to advisory services that can point out risks.
Retail investors are supposed to read the prospectus, but in practical terms no arranger can guarantee that they have done so.
For the moment, bankers said they have not been told to pull back from retail offerings of perpetual, nor have they heard of any suggestion that MAS would be making recommendations for selling agents to protect investors in such sales.
But the chatter that the central bank is keeping an eye on the retail market may prompt underwriters to take a more cautious approach on any future retail offerings.
"I won't be surprised if MAS would be watching the developments in this space, as they have always been careful with products that are sold to the public," said one local banker.
Memories of Lehman
The MAS has been extremely cautious on the sales of structured investment products ever since the Lehman structured products collapsed in the global financial crisis.
That episode, which caused a huge public outcry, saw 8,000 individual investors, including retirees, losing a chunk of a combined S$508m of investments in Lehman-linked structured notes from nine banks and brokerages in Singapore.
Since then, the central bank has put in place several policies that have increased investor protection.
"After the Lehman debacle, I don't think MAS can afford to drop another ball," said another local banker. "So, it is only right that they should watch that retail investors are protected in the perpetual offerings. There are, after all, a lot of risks in such instruments."
Compared with straight vanilla bonds, perpetual securities often allow coupon deferrals, although this usually means the issuer also cannot declare dividends, and some include non-cumulative features as well.
And, as the name suggests, the bonds are perpetual and issuers have the right not to exercise a call option, which means investors may not see the return of their principal investment.
The critical point for retail investors is that they have no recourse if the issuer decides not to call. This risk is all too real, as events in the US over the past two weeks showed. Well known US banks JP Morgan and Bank of America decided against making their respective calls on their Lower Tier 2 bonds, raising the ire of bondholders who had traded the paper as five-year notes.
Margin calls
Any similar development in the Singapore perpetual paper in four to five years time will have a rippling effect on other outstanding perpetuals.
Local bankers said the risks have been escalated because private bankers, the main takers of the recent perps, were buying on the margin - sometimes using leverage granted by the lead managers themselves.
Some purchases were done on 100% margins, said one foreign banker.
The MAS's concerns come amid talk that that more Singapore and foreign issuers are exploring perpetual bond sales - although most are expected to target the institutional market.
Hong Kong conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa has been repeatedly linked with a return to the Singapore dollar metks, and local conglomerate Keppel Corp was heard to be hunting for arrangers for a perpetual.
Keppel, however, is said to have demanded hard underwritten bids, and bankers - worried that the market is already full - may be reluctant to stick their necks out that much.

[Laguna]

of course, have to avoid Genting, trading below its face value now.

but there are a good number of perpetual bonds in the market. I think MAS is disclaiming its responsibility instead of teaching how to make a prudent investment decision.

[teddybear]

Those who live near nature reserves, forested areas, Malaysia, low floors, etc better watch out the monkeys!





Monkeys in Yishun scale new heights
One seen in living room while one spotted climbing up block of flats. -TNP
Benson Ang

Sun, Jul 08, 2012
The New Paper
Above: A monkey caught on camera scaling Block 350 last Friday.
SINGAPORE - Two monkey sightings have been reported in Yishun over the past week.

Last Friday, a resident said he saw a monkey in his living room.

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Then on Monday, a monkey was spotted climbing up a block of flats.
The Sembawang-Nee Soon Town Council said these sightings have so far been "isolated" and "sporadic".
In the second incident on Monday morning, a monkey was seen peering into units on the fourth and fifth storey and sticking its head through kitchen windows at Block 415, Yishun Avenue 11.
Student Jacob Yong, 23, was walking by the area at 10am when he noticed the monkey.
He told The New Paper: "I was surprised to see it climb so high. If it had fallen, it would have died."
It was the first time Mr Yong, who frequents the area, had seen a monkey in the estate.
It was also the first time he had seen a monkey climb a block of flats.
One of the flats which the monkey peered into belonged to sales executive Jovin Sng, 48.
She was not at home, but got a call from her part-time cleaner.
Madam Sng said: "I told her to close the windows immediately, so that the monkey couldn't enter. It might have been looking out for food."
She said the monkey probably came from Yishun Park, which is about 200m from the block.
Mr Yong said about six residents had gathered at the bottom of the block.
One even tried to distract the monkey by throwing an orange at it. It ignored the fruit, and eventually climbed down and went away, he said.
In the first incident, a monkey was seen at Block 350, Yishun Avenue 11, last Friday.

A resident told Shin Min Daily News that it had squeezed through his door grilles and entered his living room.

The resident claimed the monkey ran away when it saw him. In its hurry, it knocked over seven of the resident's bird cages, and two birds got free as a result.

The resident was quoted as saying: "I'm worried that the monkey will enter again and attack the children inside. That would be very dangerous."

The resident said the monkey has also climbed as high as six storeys up the block.

In both cases, the monkey spotted is believed to be a long-tailed macaque.


Reports of monkey sightings
A spokesman for the Sembawang-Nee Soon Town Council said in an e-mail that it has received reports of monkey sightings from residents before, especially with the removal of the forest next to Yishun Park.

The forest is currently being cleared in phases for housing developments.

But the monkey sightings have been isolated and sporadic, the spokesman said.

In light of Monday's monkey sighting, the Town Council has enlisted the help of the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority to place a cage trap at the block.

The spokesman also said residents are advised not to feed them as this may encourage them to stay or agitate them.


Minimal public safety concerns
The executive director of animal group Animal Concerns Research and Education Society, Mr Louis Ng, said these are wild animals but there is minimal public safety concerns as long as they are not provoked.

He said: "The macaques might have seen food in the kitchen area and was trying to get the food."

He also said someone may have been giving the monkeys food, making them used to being fed.

"That's why members of the public should never feed macaques. Feeding them is also a criminal act."

Mr Ng advised residents to make sure their windows and grilles are closed, that food is not accessible to the monkeys and ensure nobody in the area is feeding them.

Residents should also not stare at the macaque as this is threatening behaviour; they should leave it alone and walk away slowly.

In addition, they should not throw anything at the macaques, which might provoke them and cause them to attack.

"The key for any wild animal is that if they are not provoked, there is minimal public safety concerns.

"The reality is that they are more afraid of us humans than we should be of them."

Ms Corinne Fong, executive director of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, agreed.

She said: "If the monkeys' habitat is slowly being reduced, they have to find other places of shelter and refuge.

"It stands to reason that HDB flats are unfortunately the next best thing to trees, specially when the flats are located so close to the forest."
This article was first published in The New Paper.

[hyenergix]

Why Malaysia? The forest is big enough to accommodate them. In Singapore, over-developments are destroying the forests and natural habitats of the animals e.g. monkeys and wild boars so much so that they have to intrude into the towns to look for food and space. Our green NGOs are too quiet.

[phantom_opera]

Consequence of artifucial growth by importing foreigners in a tiny island

[carbuncle]

Consequence of airing the show featuring their Great King on weekdays nights on Ch 8...

They want to take a glimpse of the elusive King.

[teddybear]

Oh my gosh, as if Malaysia crimes aren't bad enough and now even Malaysia's police also can't be trusted!

------------------------------------------
News @ AsiaOne
2 Malaysian police officers charged for robbery
The two officers robbed four Bangladeshis of $236 at gunpoint. -The Star/ANN

Mon, Jul 09, 2012
The Star/Asia News Network
PETALING JAYA - Two police officers were charged in a Sessions Court here with robbing four Bangladeshi nationals at gunpoint.
Junaidi Awang, 33, and Rasli Zainol Abidin, 40, and two others who are still at large were accused of robbing Md Shafiqul Sheikh, Md Moshiur Rahman, Borhan Uddin Molla, and Al Amien of RM592 (S$236) in cash.
The alleged offence occurred in the basement of the Sri Ara Apartment on Jalan PJU 1A/5, Ara Damansara at 12.30am on July 11 last year.
The duo who were unrepresented, claimed trial to the alleged offence under Section 395 and 397 of the Penal Code, which is punishable by up to 20 years prison and a fine, if convicted.
Judge Balqis Aini Mohd Ali fixed bail at RM5000 with one surety for each of the accused and set August 10 for next mention

[teddybear]

Wow, landed property owners behaving like hooligans and insisting that the roads outside their house are theirs, really? Think they should just go eat shit because the fact is, the road outside their house belong to the govt and not theirs and they have no right to stop people from parking there as long as these people didn't obstruct their gates.

Those who own private condos but rented out their units and then insisting that they have the right to come back to use the condos' facilities are no better than the above example of hooliganism!



Two men fight over parking space in Serangoon Garden
A retired businessman claimed that he was hit by a man and the latter's two sons after he parked his car outside their home.

Fri, Jul 20, 2012
AsiaOne
[Above: A neighbourly spat between #9 and #11 of Jalan Chulek in Serangoon Gardens over parking space on the spot where a black jaguar (extreme right) is parked had resulted in hospitalisation of a man (inset) and police report made after a hustle occurred on July 17, 2012.]
Retired businessman Mr Goh Poh Ket, claimed that he was hit by a man and the latter's two sons after he parked his car outside their home on Tuesday evening.
The 65-year-old retiree suffered a fractured left eye socket after he was allegedly hit with a remote control, a plastic bottle filled with water and a sock stuffed with a hard substance.
The police have since arrested all four men involved in the incident for affray, The Straits Times reported.
Mr Goh had been visiting Madam Lee, 50, at her home in Jalan Chulek and parked his car outside Mr Kwek's house as it was the nearest vacant space available.
Soon after he arrived, he was told to move his car by Madam Lee's maid as Mr Kwek was apparently unhappy.
They saw Mr Kwek and his two sons shouting when Mr Goh and Madam Lee went outside.
He said: "He was shouting 'This is my parking lot. The road belongs to me. You can't park here.'"
Madam Lee then told her neighbour that the road was public property and Mr Goh's car was not blocking Mr Kwek's gate.
The argument soon got heated and escalated into a fight.
Taken aback by the viciousness of the episode, Madam Lee added: "Their sons even said 'old man still want to fight with us', and I told them to make sure they don't grow old."
She called the police when she saw that Mr Goh was bleeding. He was taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital in an ambulance after the police arrived. He was later arrested in the hospital.
Her neighbours have continued to taunt her family even after the arrests, said Madam Lee.
As the road is narrow, residents have said that parking spaces there fill up quickly.
However, while residents do try to avoid parking in front of other people's houses, they added that they do not take offence should they find cars parked outside theirs.
A resident who did not want to be named explained that as long as it does not block their gate, "we don't have the right to ask them to move."
[email protected]

[samuelk]

Wow, landed property owners behaving like hooligans and insisting that the roads outside their house are theirs, really? Think they should just go eat shit because the fact is, the road outside their house belong to the govt and not theirs and they have no right to stop people from parking there as long as these people didn't obstruct their gates.

Those who own private condos but rented out their units and then insisting that they have the right to come back to use the condos' facilities are no better than the above example of hooliganism!



Two men fight over parking space in Serangoon Garden
A retired businessman claimed that he was hit by a man and the latter's two sons after he parked his car outside their home.

Fri, Jul 20, 2012
AsiaOne
[Above: A neighbourly spat between #9 and #11 of Jalan Chulek in Serangoon Gardens over parking space on the spot where a black jaguar (extreme right) is parked had resulted in hospitalisation of a man (inset) and police report made after a hustle occurred on July 17, 2012.]
Retired businessman Mr Goh Poh Ket, claimed that he was hit by a man and the latter's two sons after he parked his car outside their home on Tuesday evening.
The 65-year-old retiree suffered a fractured left eye socket after he was allegedly hit with a remote control, a plastic bottle filled with water and a sock stuffed with a hard substance.
The police have since arrested all four men involved in the incident for affray, The Straits Times reported.
Mr Goh had been visiting Madam Lee, 50, at her home in Jalan Chulek and parked his car outside Mr Kwek's house as it was the nearest vacant space available.
Soon after he arrived, he was told to move his car by Madam Lee's maid as Mr Kwek was apparently unhappy.
They saw Mr Kwek and his two sons shouting when Mr Goh and Madam Lee went outside.
He said: "He was shouting 'This is my parking lot. The road belongs to me. You can't park here.'"
Madam Lee then told her neighbour that the road was public property and Mr Goh's car was not blocking Mr Kwek's gate.
The argument soon got heated and escalated into a fight.
Taken aback by the viciousness of the episode, Madam Lee added: "Their sons even said 'old man still want to fight with us', and I told them to make sure they don't grow old."
She called the police when she saw that Mr Goh was bleeding. He was taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital in an ambulance after the police arrived. He was later arrested in the hospital.
Her neighbours have continued to taunt her family even after the arrests, said Madam Lee.
As the road is narrow, residents have said that parking spaces there fill up quickly.
However, while residents do try to avoid parking in front of other people's houses, they added that they do not take offence should they find cars parked outside theirs.
A resident who did not want to be named explained that as long as it does not block their gate, "we don't have the right to ask them to move."
[email protected]

Actually yr view is very interesting. Sometimes when you call the TP , they Boh hiu because it is a Private road.

Try calling TP in a HDB carpark open space before where cars are park illegally and causing major obstruction for cars to come out. They also boh hiu. Is it a wonder then where the ideas came from for people who own landed into thinking they own that peice of Land as well...

[seletar]

Serangoon Garden parking is very congested especailly on Friday nite and Saturday lunch and dinner time, I've witnessed several loud and fierce arguments over parking space over there. Once I had to go over to breakup an argument because their cars were blocking the road, causing a jam.

Parking is also getting really bad in my private estate that people have to resort to illegal parking.

[teddybear]

Wow! RGS existing site will become GLS for new luxury condos! Good news indeed! Sooner or later have to lift the CMs targeting foreigners otherwise how to sell that piece of land at a good price?




SINGAPORE: Raffles Girls' School (RGS) will have a new campus along Braddell Road opposite Raffles Institution (RI) from 2018.

This was announced by Hon. Justice Judith Prakash, chairman of the school's Board of Governors at RGS Speech Day on Saturday.

RGS said the new premises will provide for the space and facilities required to deliver innovative curriculum and programmes and better support the school's teaching and learning goals.

RGS added that being located opposite RI will also allow for more synergy in collaborations between the two schools.

RGS principal Mrs Julie Hoo said the school hopes that the new campus will allow it to set a new benchmark for learning spaces that are student-focused, environmentally-friendly and inclusive of the community around it.

The school has planned a series of engagement sessions with stakeholders including alumni, parents and students to gather feedback, suggestions and ideas on planning for the new campus.

- CNA/cc

[carbuncle]

Boy Girl join power

[hyenergix]

Get ready for tweaks in HDB policies. It could be relaxation of singles' purchase of HDB directly from HDB instead of re-sale.

[phantom_opera]

Move from CCR to RCR .... Bishan residents must be damn happy

[teddybear]

Wah so bad!
The place you live determines the type of people surrounding around you?!

Anti-littering surveillance cameras to be set up at 100 locations




Updated 02:34 PM Aug 30, 2012
SINGAPORE - Surveillance cameras will be set up at 100 locations in the next three months to catch culprits who throw items from high-rise housing blocks.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) said it is first targeting at the housing estates in Bukit Panjang, Pasir Ris, West Coast, Hong Kah and Sembawang.

These housing estates have more serious littering issues, involving faeces, urine or food waste, and have also registered a high number of feedback cases from residents.

NEA said those caught littering on camera will be charged in court and have their cases publicised.

NEA said the surveillance cameras, together with video analytic software, have proven effective in trials conducted to nab high-rise litterbugs.

The equipment can pick up items as small as cigarette butts being thrown from windows, even in low light conditions at night.

NEA cited an earlier pilot run in Bukit Batok where two offenders were caught on camera throwing cigarette butts out from their windows at night. They were charged in court and fined S$800 and S$1,000.

Under the law, such offenders are liable to be fined a maximum of S$1,000 and/or be given a Corrective Work Order (CWO) not exceeding 12 hours.

For new cases of high-rise littering, NEA said the cameras will be deployed after careful assessment of the situation and at least two rounds of educational efforts by the town councils and NEA to exert community pressure on the litterbugs.

Addressing the concerns of privacy, NEA said cameras will only survey the areas near to the window of the unit to capture any act of littering.

Residents of the affected blocks will be kept informed before the deployment of the cameras so that they will be aware. In addition, only authorised personnel will be allowed to view and analyse the video footage. CHANNEL NEWSASIA

[teddybear]

Wah! Landed properties are so much easier to become target for land acquisition! Better don't buy landed?! Lose big!


Pearls Centre, Thomson PO to go


by Amir Hussain and Wong Wei Han
04:46 AM Aug 30, 2012


SINGAPORE - Even as the authorities made all efforts to minimise land acquisition for the 30km Thomson line, two landmarks - including Pearls Centre at Eu Tong Sen Street where residents claim an enbloc sale was on the cards - will have to make way, along with dozens of homes.

Pearls Centre is among the four full lots that the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) gazetted for acquisition. The others were a 54-year-old post office along Upper Thomson Road, and two landed homes at 133 Stevens Road and 2 Robin Close.

Opened in 1969, Pearls Centre was once home to Yangtze cinema. It currently houses 44 residential units and 199 commercial units. A resident, Mdm Agnes, told TODAY she was "very shocked" by the news as residents had agreed on a collective sale earlier this month.

Another resident, who identified himself as Mr Wong, said it would be "impossible" to find a similar unit in the vicinity. "The time period is quite short for us to find a house, for us to do our own planning ... three or four years would be better," added the 55-year-old.

Except for occupants at Pearls Centre, who have 24 months to vacate, the rest have 18 months to do so. An SLA spokesperson said it would work with the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to consider each request for more time.

Compensation will be pegged to market valuation as at the date of acquisition.

The LTA said acquiring Pearls Centre will provide "opportunity for comprehensive redevelopment" so that the land near Outram Park Station can be optimised and put to "higher intensity uses".

Over at Upper Thomson Road, residents will bid farewell to the post office that has been there since 1958.

While 60-year-old Mr Wong, a senior manager, felt the acquisition was necessary as an MRT station would benefit residents living nearby, administrator Ms Patricia Van said it would be inconvenient as it is the only post office she knows of in the area. According to SingPost, the next nearest post office is at Bishan Community Club.

Mdm Grace Young, who lives at 2 Robin Close, said she was disappointed that her home was singled out for acquisition. Together with the Stevens Road home, it will make way for the entrances to the planned Stevens MRT Station.

"I'm not happy that they're acquiring my land … Why did they especially choose this property?" said Mdm Young, adding that she will be consulting her lawyer.

[Eastboy]

aiyo what a big land area 2 Robin Close...i will also heart pain lor...wa lau eh if suddenly my FH land becomes MRT station...dafuq?! those people don't even need mrt what.....

https://maps.google.com.sg/maps?hl=e...ed=0CB8Q8gEwAA

[teddybear]

Very strange comments, mmm, I don't understand:
1) what property is not transacted at a "willing buyer willing seller" basis?
2) "without restrictions and in accordance with demand" for HDB shophouses is purely because they didn't impose restrictions right? They could have removed all restrictions for all other type of properties, and all will then lead lead to (3) - i.e. no need to impose restrictions such as stricter citizen eligibility on transactions, and level the playing field once and for all for all type of properties?
3) MND will not be imposing new restrictions such as stricter citizenship eligibility on transactions.



Published October 17, 2012
YESTERDAY IN PARLIAMENT
No speculative signs in HDB shophouse prices
By
zeinab yusuf saiwalla








FIGURES released by the government yesterday showed that there is no speculative element in the prices of HDB shophouses given the low percentage of resale transactions.
In a written response to Member of Parliament Ong Teng Koon (Sembawang GRC), Minister for National Development (MND) Khaw Boon Wan highlighted the fact that resale transactions involving HDB-sold shops made up only 3 to 7 per cent of the total stock of HDB-sold shops.
From January to August 2012, there were 216 such transactions and of these, 14 shops, or 6 per cent, were resold within one year of purchase.
Given the fact that HDB- sold shops are transacted in the market on a willing- buyer-willing-seller basis, without restrictions and in accordance with demand, Mr Khaw said that MND will not be imposing new restrictions such as stricter citizenship eligibility on transactions.
.....

[teddybear]

2-bedroom Manhattan apartment for $50 million

By Jennifer Karmon | Spaces – Sat, Oct 13, 2012 1:57 AM SGT


In what world does a two-bedroom apartment cost $50 million? Why, Midtown Manhattan, of course.
Naturally, this apartment at 50 Central Park South is no ordinary two-bedroom apartment. For one thing, it's bigger than you might imagine for a two-bedroom. But it's also smaller than you might imagine for $50 million, at 4,500 square feet. Even by Manhattan luxury standards, we'd say that's worthy of a double-take, or at least a surprised blink: $11,000 per square foot.
Apartment 33 occupies a full floor at the Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park, one of just a dozen residences at the Central Park Ritz. That means the Ritz is the property manager, and residents can call on a dedicated staff -- no mere hotel staffers, these -- for certain services included in their association dues. Sorry, housekeeping and dogwalking are "a la carte" services, not included.
The architecture is by Oscar Shamamian, with interior design by Obama White House interior designer Michael S. Smith (whose website is full of stunning project photos, though none, alas, of the White House; you might also be interested in Elle Decor's photos of Smith's own home).
If the space feels a little cramped and you've got money to spare, you might also want to check out 150 West 56th Street: 8,000 square feet of penthouse for an asking price of $100 million. Or perhaps the Woolworth Mansion, which we've written about before: It rents at $150,000 or can be purchased for $90 million.
This isn't the only residence to go on the market recently at the Ritz-Carlton; a nine-bedroom, $95 million penthouse listed by Halstead Property shares the building. If you're looking for a moment of zen during your busy day, we commend to you the really lovely time-lapse video of the Central Park view. Turn the sound off if you're not a fan of cheesy pseudo-classical music.

[radha08]

Very strange comments, mmm, I don't understand:
1) what property is not transacted at a "willing buyer willing seller" basis?
2) "without restrictions and in accordance with demand" for HDB shophouses is purely because they didn't impose restrictions right? They could have removed all restrictions for all other type of properties, and all will then lead lead to (3) - i.e. no need to impose restrictions such as stricter citizen eligibility on transactions, and level the playing field once and for all for all type of properties?
3) MND will not be imposing new restrictions such as stricter citizenship eligibility on transactions.



Published October 17, 2012
YESTERDAY IN PARLIAMENT
No speculative signs in HDB shophouse prices
By
zeinab yusuf saiwalla








FIGURES released by the government yesterday showed that there is no speculative element in the prices of HDB shophouses given the low percentage of resale transactions.
In a written response to Member of Parliament Ong Teng Koon (Sembawang GRC), Minister for National Development (MND) Khaw Boon Wan highlighted the fact that resale transactions involving HDB-sold shops made up only 3 to 7 per cent of the total stock of HDB-sold shops.
From January to August 2012, there were 216 such transactions and of these, 14 shops, or 6 per cent, were resold within one year of purchase.
Given the fact that HDB- sold shops are transacted in the market on a willing- buyer-willing-seller basis, without restrictions and in accordance with demand, Mr Khaw said that MND will not be imposing new restrictions such as stricter citizenship eligibility on transactions.
.....

its up to the to say la...they are the boss

[DKSG]

its up to the to say la...they are the boss

Now people who missed the BOAT big time will want government to impose restrictions, so that these selfish people can buy at lower price.

Sometimes u seriously hope that the restrictions only come when they want to SELL. haha!

DKSG

[chestnut]

Now people who missed the BOAT big time will want government to impose restrictions, so that these selfish people can buy at lower price.

Sometimes u seriously hope that the restrictions only come when they want to SELL. haha!

DKSG

Aiyah, office boy, relak. The world is made up of all kinds of people. Because of this diversity, isn't is fun. Can u imagine going office and everyone talk about say bowling and bowling only. Wa, I die man.
I have learn to accept, appreciate and embrace the diversity. You should try it too.
I really cannot imagine everyone agreeing that prices will go up. If everyone thinks prices will go up. We are at the end of the cycle. This is called euphoria.
So relak and take a deep breath and enjoy what is around u. Take time to smell the roses and remember to do small deeds for the less fortunate.
Money is not everything but I agree money is something.

Please take it as I tcss if you don't like my statements. I am very bad at expressing myself when typing.