Proposed measures to help ageing condos welcomed, but implementation and funding are concerns

Some residents say subsidising private estates is a bold move; others warn against relying on subsidies. Read more at straitstimes.com.

SINGAPORE - New proposed measures to help ageing condominiums tackle maintenance problems have been broadly welcomed by residents and managing agents, although they said the implementation may be difficult.

Some condominium management council members also warned that government co-funding of lift upgrades could encourage estates to delay repairs while awaiting subsidies. Others noted that the interests of owner-occupiers and investors often diverge.

The Government is reviewing the Building (Strata Management) Act as more private residential developments in Singapore cross the 30-year mark. More than 1,000 of 3,750 such developments are at least 30 years old.

Some proposed changes include lowering the consent threshold for essential works, capping proxy representation per household, requiring council members to undergo mandatory training, and publishing the financial information of management corporation strata title (MCST) funds.

Second Minister for National Development and Finance Indranee Rajah, who announced the proposed measures in Parliament on March 4, also said the Government is studying whether to partially fund lift and escalator safety upgrades for condominiums and other private buildings.

While some residents said subsidising private estates was a bold move, a handful warned against becoming reliant on subsidies.