Loh: Check before signing S&P

The Star 15/10/2001 By Choong Kwee Kim

HOUSEBUYERS must ensure that the floor size of their units indicated in the sale and purchase agreement (S&P) is the same as what the developer submitted and approved by the authorities.

State Trade, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Dr Loh Hock Hun said buyers must be aware of this before signing the S&P to prevent any demand for payment by the developers for extra space in the future.

''There are cases where the S&P indicates a smaller floor size than what the developer had submitted to the local council for approval and the Housing and Local Government Ministry for advertising licence.

''However, during the application for the strata title when it was found out that the built-up area is larger than what is stated in the S&P, the developer may demand payment for the extra space,'' he said, adding that this would be unfair to the buyers.

He was speaking to reporters yesterday before meeting members of the residents association of Desa Permata (Block C), Paya Terubong to discuss a problem of a similar nature.

Dr Loh said it would be fair for buyers to pay for any additional built-up space if the space indicated in the S&P was the same as the one submitted to the authorities.

But to knowingly sell less floor space per unit than what was submitted to the authorities, and to later demand payment for the extra space built was unfair to consumers, Dr Loh added.

''Developers must deliver what is written in their specifications. Everything is under their control and they should be professional about it,'' he added.