As the government’s current priority is to increase the supply of executive condominium (EC) units and Build-to-Order (BTO) flats, it is not in a rush to finishing reviewing the Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS).
This follows the suspension of DBSS land sales back in July 2011 due to controversy sparked by five-room units at Centrale 8 (pictured) in Tampines that were originally offered at S$880,000 each.
Meanwhile, National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan reiterated that the Housing and Development Board (HDB) will keep public housing, concessionary loans and housing grants solely for eligible buyers.
However, he stated that “as DBSS flats are sold directly by private developers to flat buyers, resolution of any contractual disputes, including defects, rests with the buyer and the developer”.
Nonetheless, the housing board will look to help resolve conflicts between DBSS developers and buyers through mitigation.
In addition, HDB’s role is to provide planning guidelines such as the range of community and social facilities and the mix of flat sizes, but the design, construction and pricing of flats is left to the developer.
“But at the end of the day, we must be mindful that it is a contractual obligation between the buyer and seller. But we can advise the residents, perhaps together with the local MP, to see what the problem is and whether there are ways to resolve some of the issues,” added Mr Khaw.
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