Trivelis residents ask for more time to reply to developer’s offer
A group of residents have taken it upon themselves to organise a door-to-door survey to collate responses on the pipe-relocation issue, but they need more time. TODAY File Photo
SINGAPORE — A week after their developer offered them a goodwill package to rectify defects in their units, Trivelis residents have asked for an extension of the 14-day deadline to respond, in particular regarding the relocation of sanitary pipes out of the service yards of four-room units.
The Design, Build and Sell Scheme property’s pro tem Residents Committee told TODAY a group of residents have taken it upon themselves to organise a door-to-door survey to collate responses on the issue. But they need more time, and the committee has asked EL Development (ELD) to push back the June 8 deadline.
ELD’s May 26 offer to move the sanitary pipes to external areas, such as the air-conditioning ledge, came after four-room units’ residents cried foul over the fact that these pipes had not been visible when they visited the showflat.
But the relocation would happen only if residents of the whole stack all agree to take up the offer, and the work is approved by the relevant authorities. Otherwise, ELD said it would calculate compensation for residents based on the price of 2 sqf of the unit, which is the approximate area taken up by the sanitary pipes. Based on a range of prices for four-room units at Trivelis, compensation would average about less than S$2,000.
ELD has not responded to queries sent on Monday, but the pro tem Residents Committee said the developer has informed them that it will grant the extension. It will liaise with the developer on the additional time needed.
According to a four-room Trivelis unit buyer who wanted to be known only as Mr Khoo, the majority of the residents in his stack, including him, have opted for the pipe relocation, but a few units remain uncontactable.
Despite ELD’s goodwill package, some residents are still unappeased.
Mr Eddy Lim, another four-room unit resident in the same boat, said if his stack is unable to get a unanimous vote, he intends to appeal to ELD and negotiate with the unit owners who opted against relocation.
“This is the only opportunity given to us. If we don’t do it (now), then we will lose this opportunity,” said the 43-year-old. “ELD should just come out with a letter (that states) they will do the relocation unless people opt out ... This is a fault by them, they should just offer it ... Why are we fighting so hard for this?”
Mr Khoo added: “Right now (it’s like) they’re offering a goodwill package because they have to offer one; it’s not because they think they’re in the wrong ... If these two pipes can be relocated outside now, I cannot think of a reason they couldn’t do it during the construction phase.”
Meanwhile, response to ELD’s offer for other rectifications such as an extended warranty for the laminated flooring excluding labour costs and the exchange of rusty dish racks has been tepid. Only one out of 10 residents TODAY spoke to said he would take up the developer’s package.
Some, such as Mr Andy Tan and another resident who wanted to be known only as Mr Lee, said the package to fix defects was not relevant to them as they had either fixed most of the defects themselves or renovated their unit.
Others such as Ms Jaslyn remain suspicious about the quality of the rectifications, adding that because of the poor quality of the materials used, it would be a temporary solution instead of a long-term fix.
When asked if residents rejecting the developer’s offer to rectify individual defects would have any implications on the developer’s offer to fix defects in the common areas, the committee said it understands the issues concerning the corridor pipes and tiles will still continue regardless of the other decisions.
