Flat Owners can Purchase Space Fronting their Flat

According to the National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan, flat owners are allowed to purchase the space in front of their flat as long as certain provisions are met based on the Sale of Recess Area Scheme.          
 
This is in response to Mr. Lim Biow Chuan’s question at the Parliament session yesterday. Mr. Lim, MP for the Marine Parade GRC, requested Mr. Mah to clarify why the HDB permits the sale of common corridor space and recess area to flat owners instead of selling them to those residing in the same block of flats.

Mr. Mah said, “HDB reviews these conditions regularly to ensure that other residents are not affected or inconvenienced by such sale.” He added, “The sale of recess area to flats next to corner units was ceased to minimise potential disputes between next-door neighbours in August 1995.”

HDB stopped the sale of recess area for particular point blocks in September 1997 because of the criticism that some residents were inconvenienced due to the reduced corridor space.

The most recent review of the rules on purchasing corridor space and recess area was conducted by HDB on April 2001. The company tightened the technical criteria to take into account the conditions under the Fire Safety Code.

Mr. Mah revealed, “HDB will continue to review the conditions for sale of recess area on a regular basis. This is to protect the wider interests of residents, while giving some flat owners the option of purchasing the recess area where feasible.”