Some couples may bid for choice units under scheme but not live with parents; hard to nab offenders: Experts
By Daryl Chin, The Straits Times, 14 Mar 2012
THE carrot for couples is this - greater chances of getting a flat if their parents also move in with them.
But property experts warn that this new Housing Board scheme to promote multigenerational family living could be abused by some to bid for a coveted unit in a mature estate - but with not everyone living under the same roof.
And getting conclusive evidence to nail the offenders would not be easy, they add.
The scheme, which kicks in from this month's launch of Build-To-Order (BTO) flats, is an enhancement to the Married Child Priority Scheme (MCPS).
Previously, a married couple buying an HDB flat for the first time would have four ballot chances, and a second-timer two chances, if they opt to live with, or within 2km of, their parents.
The new rules will see their ballot chances rise to six and three respectively, if they choose to live with their parents.
A minimum five-year occupancy period will apply, and both parties, if listed as the essential occupiers, cannot own or buy any other properties.
In a blog entry last June, National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan said that of the 14,000 applicants for a BTO launch the month before, about 40 per cent of the first-timers applied under the MCPS.
Given the popularity of the scheme, it is anyone's guess how many applicants could be tempted to misuse the enhanced version.
Experts said applicants might declare that they will live together but rent a unit somewhere else, or live with a relative.
Mr Colin Tan from Suntec Chesterton International said the chances of abuse will likely be higher in applications for sought-after areas, such as mature estates with better transport links and amenities.
The number of flats in mature estates will be increased this year to 30 per cent of all launches, up from 14 per cent last year.
'There will be some who will resort to this in order to be successful. But it means everyone in the family who is involved will have to cooperate. The onus then is on the HDB to conduct spot checks regularly - not just once - to deter such abuse,' Mr Tan said.
According to the terms and conditions of its last BTO project, the Housing Board indicated that it will rely on official records to ascertain the eligibility of such living arrangements.
The Straits Times understands from agents that, typically, HDB will conduct random checks to verify conformity with the rules.
But ERA Realty key executive officer Eugene Lim said it could be difficult to nab offenders, as people might have all sorts of excuses to back up their claims.
Mr Tan said that even with active enforcement, 'the problem lies also in getting irrefutable evidence in order to act'.
By Daryl Chin, The Straits Times, 14 Mar 2012
THE carrot for couples is this - greater chances of getting a flat if their parents also move in with them.
But property experts warn that this new Housing Board scheme to promote multigenerational family living could be abused by some to bid for a coveted unit in a mature estate - but with not everyone living under the same roof.
And getting conclusive evidence to nail the offenders would not be easy, they add.
The scheme, which kicks in from this month's launch of Build-To-Order (BTO) flats, is an enhancement to the Married Child Priority Scheme (MCPS).
Previously, a married couple buying an HDB flat for the first time would have four ballot chances, and a second-timer two chances, if they opt to live with, or within 2km of, their parents.
The new rules will see their ballot chances rise to six and three respectively, if they choose to live with their parents.
A minimum five-year occupancy period will apply, and both parties, if listed as the essential occupiers, cannot own or buy any other properties.
In a blog entry last June, National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan said that of the 14,000 applicants for a BTO launch the month before, about 40 per cent of the first-timers applied under the MCPS.
Given the popularity of the scheme, it is anyone's guess how many applicants could be tempted to misuse the enhanced version.
Experts said applicants might declare that they will live together but rent a unit somewhere else, or live with a relative.
Mr Colin Tan from Suntec Chesterton International said the chances of abuse will likely be higher in applications for sought-after areas, such as mature estates with better transport links and amenities.
The number of flats in mature estates will be increased this year to 30 per cent of all launches, up from 14 per cent last year.
'There will be some who will resort to this in order to be successful. But it means everyone in the family who is involved will have to cooperate. The onus then is on the HDB to conduct spot checks regularly - not just once - to deter such abuse,' Mr Tan said.
According to the terms and conditions of its last BTO project, the Housing Board indicated that it will rely on official records to ascertain the eligibility of such living arrangements.
The Straits Times understands from agents that, typically, HDB will conduct random checks to verify conformity with the rules.
But ERA Realty key executive officer Eugene Lim said it could be difficult to nab offenders, as people might have all sorts of excuses to back up their claims.
Mr Tan said that even with active enforcement, 'the problem lies also in getting irrefutable evidence in order to act'.
Then, there is the issue of sensitivity. Mr Lee Sze Teck from Dennis Wee Realty said: 'You cannot expect HDB to knock on every door of every household under the scheme, as some might complain that it is intrusive.'
But the consequences for those found out are grave, said Mr Lim, as HDB can impose a financial penalty if there is evidence of abuse.
Still, a few bad eggs are no reason why the state should not continually push for such 'progressive policies', family sociologist Paulin Straughan said.
'It promotes a three-generation living arrangement, which leads to stronger family ties, and frees the state from having to put up social infrastructure to catch those falling through the gaps,' she noted.
One key consideration, she added, is to design such flats to allow all members of the family to have some measure of privacy. 'It's not up to the state to manage personal relationships, but what they can do is to build spaces creatively so the family members can live contentedly.'
Mr Tan agreed. 'If we try and cram too many people of different attitudes and views in too small a space, the chances of social disharmony become even greater, and it will run counter to the original objective of fostering closer ties.'
One way to avoid such conflicts, said Mr Lee, is for couples to apply to live near their parents, such as through the newly unveiled Multi-Generation Priority Scheme, whose applicants will get first dibs on flat selection.
This allows married couples and their parents to buy a flat and a studio apartment, or two-room unit, to maintain proximity and privacy.
These new options are making house hunter Andrew Kwek do a rethink. The 26-year-old legal assistant said his ideal living arrangement is to live with just his wife.
'But if the pull factors of buying a place with my parents are strong enough, I would not mind that either,' he added.
No comments:
Post a Comment