Singapore architects have decided to press for legislation to protect people who buy homes from private developers. The same problems of shoddy workmanship, long delays and careless planning can be found in Hong Kong and buyers would no doubt be heartened if similar moves were made here on their behlf.
'Stop cheating and bullying the home buyer'
THE Singapore Institute of Archi-
tects is pressing the Government to introduce legislation safeguarding the interests of people who buy houses from private developers.
In an editorial in its official journal, "Rumah." the Institute said for a long time the buyer had been. bullied and cheated in his rights to expect his house in reasonable time and with acceptable standard of standard of workmanship. Following is a reprint of the article:---
The health of the housing situa- tion in any city can be measured by the nett increase in housing ac- commodation (rate of building minus rate of dilapidation and abolition) relative to the rate of urbanisation and population growth. Owing to the very successful housing program- me of the Housing & Development Board. Singapore today is possibly the only large city in any developing country to achieve a satisfactory rate of residential construction in order that a comprehensive and meaningful programme of urban renewal can be attempted.
"The primary function of the pri- vate housing sector is to fulfill the needs and demands for non-subsidiz- ed tenants and house owners. After the relative stagnation of the last few years, the private housing sector has shown positive indication of increasing activity and should once again play its rightful role in provid- ing substantial contribution to the total housing stock.
"It should be noted however that the activity of the private housing sector has a direct relationship to the state and condition of the economy. During the period of relative econo- mic stagnation, the contribution by the private housing sector must unavoidably decrease. During the period of rapid and sustained growth
of the economy, there will be a cor- responding increase in demand for housing accommodation. It is im portant therefore in planning for the long term housing needs of the com munity, a basic policy of the public housing sector should be to dovetail its programme with the private housing sector by building more during periods of economic stagna. tion and conversely building less during periods of rapid economic growth in order to provide the building industry with relative stabil. ity during the period of stagnation and to avoid unnecessary strain dur- ing the period of rapid growth.
"To date, with few notable excep- tion, private development companies have catered for most of the housing development projects. Many of these companies have inadequate financial resources and inexperienced manage- ment. Many have entered the busi- ness for quick profits on short term basis. They operate frequently with land under mortgage, low standard of design, no time limit for comple- tion (depending solely on money of purchaser to cover constructional cost) and often assuming the joint role of developer cum contractor. The purchaser and the public have long been dissatisfied over this state of affairs but there is at present not much alternative.
"Most developers have so far also taken for granted that the only criteria of the purchaser is the selling price. Good workmanship and de- sign standard have seldom been con- sidered to be of any importance. Conventional construction methods with draughtsman-type plans and elevations are frequently used for even multi-million dollar projects. Complete professional services are rarely utilised and appreciated. It is encouraging therefore to note that recently several new companies, both
THE HONG KONG & FAR East buildER-VOLUME 19. NUMBER 1
public and private, with apparently better financial resources and more far-sighted policy have been establish- ed in this field relating to building developments. It is to be hoped that they will set the pace for more com- prehensive and studied development by utilising more fully professional services in order to achieve better standard in planning. design and supervision, and the completion of the buildings within better time with more reasonable standard of work- manship.
ment
"Perhaps, it is necessary to assess private housing development within the wider context of the interest of the purchaser and the community as a whole. All buildings can of course be considered as fixed capital assets of the society. and it is the duty and responsibility of the govern- pos. to provide whenever sible the necessary legislative frame- work for better quality control. The purchaser has for long been bullied and cheated in his rights to expect his house in reasonable time and with acceptable standard of workmanship. It appears necessary therefore that legislation should be passed to safe- guard the interest of the purchaser especially relating to investigation on the actual financial resources of the development companies and the com. pulsory inclusion in the contract be- tween the developer and the purchaser stating the time of completion and providing the purchaser with the necessary specifications and detailed drawings.
However, in the final analysis, the architectual professional must be pre- pared to accept the responsibility and challenge of private housing develop-
ment.
It is the duty of the architect in providing full professional services to the best of his ability to serve not only his client but the purchaser and the society he lives in.
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