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Fewer complaints against property agents

Posted on 18 Nov 2015 | Comments Off

Consumer complaints against property agents in Singapore fell to 702 cases in the 2014 financial year, from 751 cases in the previous year, reported Channel NewsAsia, citing figures from the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA).

Complaints relating to HDB flats accounted for 46 percent of all cases, while 34 percent were related to private residential properties, said CEA.

Of the HDB-related complaints, 91 were linked to rental deals, 232 were related to resale transactions and another 134 complaints were linked to the sale of private properties.

According to CEA, the decline in consumer complaints was due to enhanced industry standards, due to the professional development of salespersons, consumer education and regulatory enforcement.

In a joint statement, council president Greg Seow and executive director Chionh Chye Khye revealed that CEA ramped up investigations and took disciplinary actions in various cases of malpractices and breaches of industry guidelines during the 2014/15 financial year.

“We invested in staff training relating to investigation work and industry regulations so that our officers are equipped to ensure rigorous standards and timely completion of all investigations, and effective management of consumer complaints,” they said.

Meanwhile, the number of licensed estate agents dropped to 1,422 as of March 2015 from 1,449 in the previous year. The number of registered salespersons also fell to 32,006 from 33,498 previously.

Looking ahead, CEA plans to strengthen capabilities in support of industry development. It also plans to add more resources and avenues to enable practitioners to sharpen their competencies via continuous learning.

Coney Island Park opens to the public

Posted on 18 Nov 2015 | Comments Off

There are no amusement rides or hotdog stands, but that didn’t stop droves of cyclists and nature lovers from flocking to Coney Island Park just hours after it opened to the public last Saturday, 10 October, reported Channel News Asia.

Situated off Singapore’s North East coast, the 50ha park was built with an emphasis on sustainability. The aim is to enhance and protect the variety of habitats on the island.

For instance, the timbre of fallen Casurina trees was used to make signs, benches and boardwalks, while rainwater is collected to flush toilets.

“A lot of us, when we are stuck on mainland Singapore everything’s fast paced,” said Sumita Thiagarajan, a 21-year-old volunteer guide for the park.

“When we come out to islands like these we can enjoy the rustic nature, and slow down a little, then you get to see all the wildlife and you’re like ‘oh Singapore has wildlife’.”

Aside from biodiversity, there are other reasons why the park could become more popular than places such as Pulau Ubin.

“It’s much easier for the public to access because it’s actually connected to the mainland,” shared NParks’ senior director for parks, Kartini Omar.

“It is also very well connected with the park connector network, the North Eastern Riverine Loop from Punggol Point, so it’s just 500m away.”

Those wanting to visit Coney Island Park can take a bus to Punggol Point Park and walk 500 metres to enter the park’s western entrance, or drive down the Tampines Expressway to Pasir Ris Industrial Drive 6 for the park’s eastern entrance.

NParks revealed that the development of the park is just part of the overall plan for Coney Island, which includes areas for recreation, sports and possibly even housing. In fact, an interim park has been planned for the island’s western end.

Despite these plans, Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure Khaw Boon Wan, who officially opened the park, hopes it will serve as a symbol of sustainability.

“We will of course keep the island rustic and keep to its natural state as much as possible…This is so that Singaporeans, especially young Singaporeans, can get to enjoy and get close to nature,” said Mr Khaw.