The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said that while applications to sub-divide flats are being processed, it is followed by whether sub-division will diminish the amenities of other people settling there, like families, and change the character of a development.
URA was reacting in The Business Times’ follow-up report, after the case of the Grangeford Condominium, where the owner let his 140 flats be sub-divided into 600 small-sized units using a layout matching a dormitory.
Recently, the authority told BT that this action is not appropriate because the place is only zoned for residential use. Thus, it and other government agencies will conduct legal action against any group that will not comply with the government’s requirements and is responsible for any unauthorised use.
There are also some flat owners in other developments that have performed the same sub-divisions, but in a much smaller area than at Grangeford, according to some industry observers.
They say that owners of apartments in other development areas have implemented similar sub-divisions; although, on a much smaller scale than at Grangeford.
By that URA has depicted three scenarios. The first scenario already occurred over the past three years, when a number of flats were transformed into a bigger number of mini-flats.
“These are essentially smaller, but independent residential apartments with self-contained facilities like kitchen, living room and bathroom”, said a URA spokeswoman.
“Where the conversions were able to comply with planning requirements, URA followed up with the owners and they obtained approval from URA”.
“For those that were not able to comply with planning and other technical requirements, URA followed up and took enforcement action”.
These transformations necessitate consent from the development’s management corporation and planning approval from URA.
The second scenario shows flats that are sub-divided into a layout resembling a dormitory. The divided units are mainly bedrooms, with no living room, toilet or kitchen.
URA spokeswoman said that before altering the property use, from residential to non-residential, owner must have a URA approval first. She also said that URA will not grant such transformation in a residential area, as it is the rule of law.
The third scenario required BT to asked URA about it, wherein a flat is sub-let to many unrelated renters but is not sub-divided. For instance, many students gathered and joined forces just to rent a flat.
Sub-letting on a unit basis for residential use is allowed, and URA will only enter and have concerns if this is made on a bigger scale, the spokeswoman said.
The spokeswoman explained, “It goes back to the fundamental considerations of whether such a sub-letting exercise will change the character of the development or cause disamenities to, say, families living there”.