Showflats not just for show

What must home buyers look out for when viewing a showflat? New proposed changes to URA’s Housing Developers Rules may change the outlook of future private residential property launches as the authorities clamp down on showflats that are augmented for selling purposes.

Showflats will have to be accurate representations of the finished apartment under proposed new rules being put forward to raise transparency. Setting up a showflat is not a requirement for developers but if they do, they must comply with the proposals, said the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) yesterday.

It is gathering public feedback on the changes with the new rules expected to kick in later this year. These include ensuring the floor area of the showflat is the same as in the actual unit.

Showflats must have:

• Same floor area as actual unit
• Same floor-to-ceiling height as actual unit
• Door frames for doors
• Interior design treatment that is achievable in the actual unit
• All external and structural walls erected, and these must be of the same thickness as those in the actual unit
• Signs to mark positions of removed walls, partitions or doors

Location, floor plans and models of the project featured in showrooms will have to be drawn to scale and indicated clearly. Floor plans of units must also provide the floor area and the area of spaces such as balconies, private enclosed spaces and air-conditioner ledges.

The Straits Times visited two showrooms yesterday and found they complied with most of the changes but there was still room for improvement. The two-bedder showroom unit at Questa@Dunman condominium by Hoi Hup Realty showed a fully covered deck area with floor to ceiling windows. Agents later clarified that the actual unit would have only waist-high glass walls with roof-covering for only the terrace area outside the master bedroom and living area.

Eis Residences by EastShinee Development used a metal pole feature to divide the space in a one-bedroom unit. A notice said the features were for display purposes. The showroom’s floor-to-ceiling height was also found to be lower than what would be in the actual unit. Agents said the unit was built using the site’s original building and thus did not accurately reflect the dimensions of the proposed project.

Developers must also publish:

• Price list of units for sale at least two days before the project, or its first phase, is launched
• Price list of units for sale on each day that subsequent phases are launched
• Prices of units sold every week.
• Units transacted from Monday to Sunday must have their prices lodged with the Urban Redevelopment Authority by the following Friday

Before issuing option to purchase, developers must give home buyers:

• Location plan, site plan and floor plan, drawn to scale
• Floor area of spaces such as balconies and air-con ledges
• Specifications of unit and project
• Amendments to the standard sale and purchase agreement
• Conditions imposed by government agencies with which owners or residents of the units must comply

Developers must:

• Obtain buyers’ consent for changes affecting unit after sale
• Provide details on their track record, such as information on at least one of their completed projects. New developers with no completed projects will have to indicate their lack of track record.

Source: The Straits Times © Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. Reprinted with permission.

Editor’s Commentary:
Know what you are getting out of your private home purchase. Gather as much information from reading relevant property news and check the developer’s track records before visiting the showflats.

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