Singapore Developer Sued by Homeowners in Wealthy Enclave

[dtrax]

Jin jialat...

Owners occupying almost half the units at a luxury apartment building on Singapore’s resort island of Sentosa sued the developer over alleged defects.
Ho Bee Investment Ltd. (HOBEE) failed to fix termite-infested pool decking and flooded staircases at the 249-unit The Coast at Sentosa Cove, 108 of the owners claimed in a lawsuit filed on their behalf by the property managers in the Singapore High Court. The owners also sued three contractors.
“Complaints from residents to developers happen all the time but it’s not that common for it to go to court,” said Vikrant Pandey, a Singapore-based analyst at UOB Kay Hian Pte, who has a “buy” rating on Ho Bee. “It will slightly tarnish their image, but you have to see their track record for their other projects too.”
Ho Bee was the first condominium developer in Singapore’s Sentosa Cove, an estate carved out by the government as the only place foreigners are allowed to buy houses. The area is located on the eastern part of Sentosa, a resort island that’s home to Genting Singapore Plc (GENS)’s casino and Universal Studios theme park.
Ho Bee denied the allegations in Aug. 27 court filings, blaming the defects on the management corporation’s negligence. Responsibility for maintenance of the complex, completed in April 2009, was handed to the management committee in December 2010, the developer said.
Ho Bee’s executive director Desmond Woon said today he couldn’t immediately comment on the lawsuit. Edwin Lee, a lawyer representing the homeowners, declined to comment.
‘Unparalleled Setting’
A company linked to Gina Rinehart, Asia’s richest woman according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, bought two apartments on the island for S$57.2 million ($44.9 million), The Business Times reported in July, while a bungalow on the island sold for a record price per square foot in October.
The Coast “will provide an unparalleled setting for your abode,” Ho Bee said on its website, showcasing waterfront apartments with views of the South China Sea. A 3,100-square-foot apartment at the Coast was sold for S$4.5 million in July, while a 2,024-square-foot home fetched S$3.6 million in April, the only two transactions based on records from the Urban Redevelopment Authority.
The Coast is among five developments Ho Bee has completed on Sentosa Cove, according to its website. It’s selling homes of two projects and has another in the pipeline for future sales, it said.
The case is The Management Corporation Strata Title Plan No. 3493 v Ho Bee Cove Pte, S688/2013. Singapore High Court.


HOO BEE HOOO SAY LIAO

[leesg123]

Super high networth clients fighting against a local towkay. We already know who gonna win and suck thumb.

Jin jialat...

Owners occupying almost half the units at a luxury apartment building on Singapore’s resort island of Sentosa sued the developer over alleged defects.
Ho Bee Investment Ltd. (HOBEE) failed to fix termite-infested pool decking and flooded staircases at the 249-unit The Coast at Sentosa Cove, 108 of the owners claimed in a lawsuit filed on their behalf by the property managers in the Singapore High Court. The owners also sued three contractors.
“Complaints from residents to developers happen all the time but it’s not that common for it to go to court,” said Vikrant Pandey, a Singapore-based analyst at UOB Kay Hian Pte, who has a “buy” rating on Ho Bee. “It will slightly tarnish their image, but you have to see their track record for their other projects too.”
Ho Bee was the first condominium developer in Singapore’s Sentosa Cove, an estate carved out by the government as the only place foreigners are allowed to buy houses. The area is located on the eastern part of Sentosa, a resort island that’s home to Genting Singapore Plc (GENS)’s casino and Universal Studios theme park.
Ho Bee denied the allegations in Aug. 27 court filings, blaming the defects on the management corporation’s negligence. Responsibility for maintenance of the complex, completed in April 2009, was handed to the management committee in December 2010, the developer said.
Ho Bee’s executive director Desmond Woon said today he couldn’t immediately comment on the lawsuit. Edwin Lee, a lawyer representing the homeowners, declined to comment.
‘Unparalleled Setting’
A company linked to Gina Rinehart, Asia’s richest woman according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, bought two apartments on the island for S$57.2 million ($44.9 million), The Business Times reported in July, while a bungalow on the island sold for a record price per square foot in October.
The Coast “will provide an unparalleled setting for your abode,” Ho Bee said on its website, showcasing waterfront apartments with views of the South China Sea. A 3,100-square-foot apartment at the Coast was sold for S$4.5 million in July, while a 2,024-square-foot home fetched S$3.6 million in April, the only two transactions based on records from the Urban Redevelopment Authority.
The Coast is among five developments Ho Bee has completed on Sentosa Cove, according to its website. It’s selling homes of two projects and has another in the pipeline for future sales, it said.
The case is The Management Corporation Strata Title Plan No. 3493 v Ho Bee Cove Pte, S688/2013. Singapore High Court.


HOO BEE HOOO SAY LIAO

[teddybear]

Seems like only recent few years such incident very common. What is the problem? Is it poor maintenance by MCST or poor workmanship, cheap workmanship, cheap materials that causes all these defects/problems?

Jin jialat...

Owners occupying almost half the units at a luxury apartment building on Singapore’s resort island of Sentosa sued the developer over alleged defects.
Ho Bee Investment Ltd. (HOBEE) failed to fix termite-infested pool decking and flooded staircases at the 249-unit The Coast at Sentosa Cove, 108 of the owners claimed in a lawsuit filed on their behalf by the property managers in the Singapore High Court. The owners also sued three contractors.
“Complaints from residents to developers happen all the time but it’s not that common for it to go to court,” said Vikrant Pandey, a Singapore-based analyst at UOB Kay Hian Pte, who has a “buy” rating on Ho Bee. “It will slightly tarnish their image, but you have to see their track record for their other projects too.”
Ho Bee was the first condominium developer in Singapore’s Sentosa Cove, an estate carved out by the government as the only place foreigners are allowed to buy houses. The area is located on the eastern part of Sentosa, a resort island that’s home to Genting Singapore Plc (GENS)’s casino and Universal Studios theme park.
Ho Bee denied the allegations in Aug. 27 court filings, blaming the defects on the management corporation’s negligence. Responsibility for maintenance of the complex, completed in April 2009, was handed to the management committee in December 2010, the developer said.
Ho Bee’s executive director Desmond Woon said today he couldn’t immediately comment on the lawsuit. Edwin Lee, a lawyer representing the homeowners, declined to comment.
‘Unparalleled Setting’
A company linked to Gina Rinehart, Asia’s richest woman according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, bought two apartments on the island for S$57.2 million ($44.9 million), The Business Times reported in July, while a bungalow on the island sold for a record price per square foot in October.
The Coast “will provide an unparalleled setting for your abode,” Ho Bee said on its website, showcasing waterfront apartments with views of the South China Sea. A 3,100-square-foot apartment at the Coast was sold for S$4.5 million in July, while a 2,024-square-foot home fetched S$3.6 million in April, the only two transactions based on records from the Urban Redevelopment Authority.
The Coast is among five developments Ho Bee has completed on Sentosa Cove, according to its website. It’s selling homes of two projects and has another in the pipeline for future sales, it said.
The case is The Management Corporation Strata Title Plan No. 3493 v Ho Bee Cove Pte, S688/2013. Singapore High Court.


HOO BEE HOOO SAY LIAO

[Ringo33]

Sentosa Cove is sitting on reclaim land, I am not sure how stable that foundation is. Perhaps land erosion might have caused the cracks.

[kane]

has the project gotten CSC?

[DC33_2008]

Should have got it since it was TOP in 2008.

has the project gotten CSC?

[thomastansb]

It is the expectation of the owners. They think they got a 5 star waterfront condo, they cannot see any cracks. Come on la. My southbank and citylights don't know flood until like shit also like this. And cracks are everywhere lor. Where got buildings don't have cracks one.

Seems like only recent few years such incident very common. What is the problem? Is it poor maintenance by MCST or poor workmanship, cheap workmanship, cheap materials that causes all these defects/problems?

[smartboy2]

HNWI paying top dollar for top location, little bit cracks and there goes their expectation

[teddybear]

Cracks got many types, surface cracks can be covered with good quality paint. Deep structural cracks are due to poor quality or cheating on materials (eg mixing too little cement into sand, poor quality sand etc).

Glass panels cracking is similar, as well as glass panel falling because not secured properly due to poor workmanship (use non-skilled labourers).

Water pipes leaking or burst because using pipes of too thin thickness, poor quality materials etc.

This is no different from renovations where contractors use cheapest quality materials/substitutes, and non-skilled labourers who anyhow do and things start to fall apart after the 1-year warranty period (or even before warranty is over and they just patch up for you to last a few months more!). In such cases, who to fault or should be responsible?

It is the expectation of the owners. They think they got a 5 star waterfront condo, they cannot see any cracks. Come on la. My southbank and citylights don't know flood until like shit also like this. And cracks are everywhere lor. Where got buildings don't have cracks one.

[darkseed73]

LOL too bad u guys not the owners else Ho Bee will have a better time.

[sh]

fundamentally bay song because they paid more then what it's worth....

[teddybear]

How much they pay?
As I said, you pay for what you get.
Do people seriously believe that they can get good quality private property constructed at <$500 psf (excluding land costs)?

fundamentally bay song because they paid more then what it's worth....

[smellyfish]

things like termite not developer fault what. termite can go anywhere they like

[blackjack21trader]

things like termite not developer fault what. termite can go anywhere they like

Halor.. after reading the article ...I also feel the same as you leh

[blackjack21trader]

It is the expectation of the owners. They think they got a 5 star waterfront condo, they cannot see any cracks. Come on la. My southbank and citylights don't know flood until like shit also like this. And cracks are everywhere lor. Where got buildings don't have cracks one.

I agree. South Banks and CityLights are very good projects will also encounter problems one.

Ho Bee projects always very high quality I must say to be fair lor.

[blackjack21trader]

I agree. South Banks and CityLights are very good projects will also encounter problems one.

Ho Bee projects always very high quality I must say to be fair lor.

My Third Eye sees Mr Chua as a very good gentleman. Most likely is the contractors la.

[blackjack21trader]

Owners of other Ho Bee projects. You have been staying in great homes built by Ho Bee. It is time you guys say some fair words for them

[hopeful]

perhaps they didnt use treated wood. or even use cheap treated wood?

as for flooding issue, it is a non-issue as it is ponding.

[blackjack21trader]

perhaps they didnt use treated wood. or even use cheap treated wood?

as for flooding issue, it is a non-issue as it is ponding.

I see. Good brother may I ask One Shenton project good or not leh ( in the lights of The Sail recent issues of course )

[hopeful]

actually how can they sue contractors?
the relationship is between buyer and developer.
developer then have relationship with contractors.

[hopeful]

I see. Good brother may I ask One Shenton project good or not leh ( in the lights of The Sail recent issues of course )

no good, have to take lift 4 times roundtrip. ie take lift 2 twice from unit to outside and take 2 life twice again from outside to go to ur unit.

i am a busy man, my time is spent on condosingapore, not waiting for lifts.

[lionhill]

With termites, with cracks, Hoe Bee cannot boast that their projects are of good quality.

Properly treated wood will not have termites.

As for cracks, even HDB will response very quickly if there is any.

[august]

never like Ho Bee.

[eng81157]

perhaps they didnt use treated wood. or even use cheap treated wood?

as for flooding issue, it is a non-issue as it is ponding.

ponding is a passe term, the in-thing is now "covergence of winds"

[gemstone]

F those foreigners back to their hometown lah!

[ppty]

"In the event that latent defects are observed beyond the one-year defects liability period, purchasers can still take civil action against the developer, said a spokesman from the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).

"Beyond the one-year defects liability period, purchasers can still take civil action against the developer for latent defects due to negligence or breach of contract, within six years from the date that the damage arose, or three years from the date that the damage was discovered, whichever is later."

However, developers should first be given an opportunity to rectify any genuine building defect, whether patent or latent, that the purchasers claim the developers are liable for."

SOURCE:
http://www.stproperty.sg/articles-pr...putes/a/102830