WE HAVE been “en-blocked” for a second time. On both occasions, we were reluctant sellers.
People tell us we are lucky because we are getting a lot of money from the en-bloc sale.
But in reality, we have had to downgrade each time - from private and freehold, to HUDC and leasehold. And now, it looks like we will have to either go HDB or move to the edges of Singapore - away from our doctors, dentist, friends, church and clubs.
To make matters worse, at almost every prospective home we have checked out, we have been told that there is a good chance of the place going en bloc.
Our housing agent has told us that if we want to live in a condominium, we have to face the fact that sooner or later the owners will try to go en bloc.
We were in our late 60s the first time we were forced out of our home.
Now, we are in our late 70s. The next time, we will be in the same boat as two of our neighbours, who are in their 90s but still have to uproot.
Is this the way we are going to pass our twilight years? Always faced with the prospect of having to sell our home?
The experience is very stressful. Losing one’s home ranks alongside losing one’s spouse, child or parent. It can be traumatic and mentally debilitating.
We have two other options. First, we can buy an HDB resale flat, which may not have the benefits a condominium offers in terms of security and facilities. Second, we can consider landed property, which would cost a lot more. And, as old people, we will have to hire someone to help maintain it because we will be unable to do so on our own.
Of course, we could also choose to rent a home. However, this would put us at the mercy of landlords who may decide to raise the rent to an unreasonable level, or decide to take the property off the rental market, which would mean more packing, moving and house-hunting.
Even with landed property, we wouldn’t have complete peace of mind. The Government may decide to redevelop the estate, or our neighbours may band together to sell.
After working all our lives and raising our children, we had hoped to pass our twilight years in peace and relaxation.
Instead, what can we look forward to? The constant fear of some bright (and greedy) spark rallying all the neighbours to put the entire estate up for sale to a developer?
And if at first they don’t succeed, they will try and try again!
As en-bloc refugees, we are appealing to the Government to come up with a solution, which will allow us to live the rest of our lives without the fear of losing our home - again.
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2 comments:
This is unacceptable - is Singapore still a dictatorship?
Let the world know what's going on - talk to your local MP first, ask if any civilsed developed country would hurt its elderly like this.
Source : TODAY, Friday, January 4, 2008
Residents unsettled by renewed attempts
Letter from YEO HAN TIONG
I refer to the concept of the en bloc refugee as introduced by Lucy Huang, “Help, we are en bloc refugees” (Dec 27), and the subsequent letters that followed on Dec 28 and Jan 2.
I hope guidelines can be put in place to stop condos which have failed to go en bloc, or which have spent substantial funds on upgrading, from trying to do so again.
I note in my condo - Cle-menti Park (picture) - the renewed dissent by residents against the recent forming of yet another sales committee to try for en bloc. Our condo is in the process of being upgraded at a cost of $2 million. This will only be completed in the middle of the year and an en bloc attempt is just a sheer waste of funds.
There is currently no mechanism in place to deal with this. Many residents have been unsettled, and such upheaval is becoming all too common here.
Perhaps en bloc discussions could be banned - say, for 10 years - for condos which have spent money on upgrading, or if an attempt has failed.
Some mechanism to reflect and honour decisions made by subsidiary proprietors should be in place.
When a windfall is a whammy
Letter from AUGUSTINE CHEAH
I refer to “Help, we are en bloc refugees” (Dec 27).
Such situations are becoming more common and they are no laughing matter.
There are people going around speculating, and often, the ones who suffer are innocent homeowners oblivious to what is happening until it’s too late.
The media can play its part by publishing stories to put some perspective into things - about those who find that such a “windfall” often means having to downgrade against their wishes. Stories of en bloc riches have spawned an army of speculators and homeowners who don’t want to miss the boat.
My condominium, Bayshore Park, is currently trying for an en bloc sale. The original sales committee, which had to disband because some residents sent a legal letter questioning their validity, is again trying their luck and have called for another extraordinary general meeting on Jan 12.
Unless there are further changes to the legislation, this will be a perpetual affair. After one sales committee fails, another will be set up.
How can you live in peace under the perpetual spectre of an en bloc sale? How can you decide if you should renovate your home in case the money is soon to be wasted?
In my estate, there are also families who moved there after their previous homes were sold en bloc. Needless to say, they are extremely unhappy at the current developments and constant attempts to go en bloc.
Sometimes, it’s not just about the money …
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