{"id":9438,"date":"2019-02-25T10:52:21","date_gmt":"2019-02-25T10:52:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adda.io\/blog\/?p=9438"},"modified":"2023-10-29T14:40:34","modified_gmt":"2023-10-29T14:40:34","slug":"how-to-resolve-defects-in-a-strata-development-during-property-handover","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adda.io\/blog\/2019\/02\/how-to-resolve-defects-in-a-strata-development-during-property-handover\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Resolve Defects in a Strata Development during Property Handover?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9453\" src=\"http:\/\/adda.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/property-handover-1.png\" alt=\"Checklist while handing over to MC in Singapore\" width=\"800\" height=\"419\" srcset=\"https:\/\/adda.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/property-handover-1.png 800w, https:\/\/adda.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/property-handover-1-150x79.png 150w, https:\/\/adda.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/property-handover-1-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/adda.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/property-handover-1-768x402.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Singapore is a young country with a history of fewer than 50 years, but already have a world class environment built to provide a superior standard of living. There are strata developments worth millions or even billions of dollars. A Strata development needs an efficient and methodical approach to management from the very beginning for its smooth functioning. There comes a time for every strata development when the builder has to hand over control of the building to its Management Committee(MC). To start off the strata development management on the right note, it is best to observe systematic and effectual practices during this entire process. <\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69d75f7224bef\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69d75f7224bef\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/adda.io\/blog\/2019\/02\/how-to-resolve-defects-in-a-strata-development-during-property-handover\/#Process_Flow\" >Process Flow<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/adda.io\/blog\/2019\/02\/how-to-resolve-defects-in-a-strata-development-during-property-handover\/#1_Collect_Documents\" >1. Collect Documents<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/adda.io\/blog\/2019\/02\/how-to-resolve-defects-in-a-strata-development-during-property-handover\/#2_Assemble_the_Expert_Team\" >2. Assemble the Expert Team<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/adda.io\/blog\/2019\/02\/how-to-resolve-defects-in-a-strata-development-during-property-handover\/#3_Ascertain_the_Financial_Limitations\" >3. Ascertain the Financial Limitations<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/adda.io\/blog\/2019\/02\/how-to-resolve-defects-in-a-strata-development-during-property-handover\/#4_Get_a_Mandate\" >4. Get a Mandate<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Process_Flow\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Process Flow<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Every building is bound to have defects.\u00a0If the council is not tolerant of such defects, the MC may make a claim against the developer. The figure below shows the ideal process flow to resolve defects in a strata development.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9439\" src=\"http:\/\/adda.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Screen-Shot-2019-02-22-at-3.17.22-PM.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1174\" height=\"467\" srcset=\"https:\/\/adda.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Screen-Shot-2019-02-22-at-3.17.22-PM.png 1174w, https:\/\/adda.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Screen-Shot-2019-02-22-at-3.17.22-PM-150x60.png 150w, https:\/\/adda.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Screen-Shot-2019-02-22-at-3.17.22-PM-300x119.png 300w, https:\/\/adda.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Screen-Shot-2019-02-22-at-3.17.22-PM-768x305.png 768w, https:\/\/adda.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Screen-Shot-2019-02-22-at-3.17.22-PM-1024x407.png 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1174px) 100vw, 1174px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Collect_Documents\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Collect Documents<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Documents that are required for defects claim are:<\/span><\/p>\n<p>i)\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0MCST Document<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aa as-built plans and warranties<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MCST Resolutions and minutes of meetings<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Strata roll<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Developer\u2019s marketing brochures<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>ii) Financial Document<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Current and past reserve studies (from the time the maintenance fund account has been established)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>iii) Reports<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Submissions by developers to authorities, including subdivision reports <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Engineering reports on soils, mechanical and civil structure<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reports and photographs from developer and consultants relating to defects<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>iii) Correspondence<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes to making claims against a developer, we need to understand that we not only need a lawyer in fighting for the cause of the MC. On top of the defects that are apparent in the structure of the building, the lawyer requires correspondences that relate to the defects and these correspondences must be as comprehensive as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Assemble_the_Expert_Team\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Assemble the Expert Team<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prior to engaging a lawyer, it is not uncommon for the MC to first appoint a building surveyor to conduct a visual inspection of the strata development. Depending on the complexity of the case, tests may be conducted for the report to be produced. With the initial inspection report, the MC may then appoint a lawyer to study the implications of the defects reported. At this point, the defects list, Compiled by MA or strata manager, will prove to be very helpful in assisting the building surveyor to build the case.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is better to make a report which contains a detailed description of what is expected of a building surveyor. Ideally, the report should contain:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Defects and their location<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reasons for the defects<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Identification of the party\/parties responsible for the defects;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Repair recommendation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An estimated cost of rectification.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Ascertain_the_Financial_Limitations\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Ascertain the Financial Limitations<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is necessary for the MC to first determine its financial ability because legal claims for defects can be costly. The cost of rectifying defects can be obtained from estimation provided by a qualified quantity surveyor or with proper quotations, proper work specifications, statements of rectification etc. <\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Get_a_Mandate\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Get a Mandate<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes to claiming against construction defects, time is the\u00a0essence. MA or strata manager cannot have a full six years limitation period to act against a developer.\u00a0Many are unaware of the fact that a developer can apply voluntarily wind up its own company anytime after it has completed its final reports and cleared its liabilities.\u00a0There are also chances for the developer to be bankrupt, or out of business. To avoid all these, It is best to suggest to the council to obtain a mandate to act as early as the second annual general meeting(AGM). Once all the information has been obtained and the council has received the mandate to act, it is up to the council&#8217;s discretion to decide whether it would eventually embark the litigation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Singapore is a young country with a history of fewer than 50 years, but already have a world class environment built to provide a superior standard of living. There are&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":9453,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1,2022,2023],"tags":[1383,493,1384,1382],"class_list":["post-9438","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-secure-communities","category-adda-community-management","category-adda-singapore-condo-mcst-management","tag-builder-to-mc","tag-checklist","tag-process-flow","tag-property-handover"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adda.io\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9438","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adda.io\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adda.io\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adda.io\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adda.io\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9438"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/adda.io\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9438\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9464,"href":"https:\/\/adda.io\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9438\/revisions\/9464"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adda.io\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9453"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adda.io\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9438"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adda.io\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9438"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adda.io\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9438"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}