En bloc

'En bloc!' The term now people come to hate, fear, or rejoice. My apartment is now the subject of an en bloc sale. On 2 May, 2007, 80% consensus vote by the owners was officially submitted to the Strata Titles Board for approval to proceed with the public tender.

This process will probably take three months, by the end of which, the successful developer/s will be known. The tender award will be 4Q, and partial payment received by end 2007, if everything goes smoothly. The following 12 months rent free period, will allow the owners to look for replacement premises, and to finally vacate.

This is going to be the biggest en bloc sale in Singapore. With an area of 838,486 sq. ft. on prime land, and a plot ratio of 2.8, it will require 1 or most likely 2 big developers to develop the land, which according to the Master Plan, is slated for residential use. Owned by URA, it is 99 year leasehold, and is allowed up to 36 storeys build up towering over the neighbourhood which will only be allowed up to 12 storeys. Hopefully, some of the cash rich big developers will come in with 1.2 billion to develop the area.

My family are the pioneers, having lived here since they built the place, 30 years ago. The location is very good, district 10, near the market, the bus stop and the church. My children grew up here, and went through three dogs, Jumbo, Bingo and Tash. (Tash has been 'en bloc' to Sembawang!) So there are fond memories of this place. I like the location but not that of the neighbourhood. I do have some good friends here, but some of the new people who moved in leave much to be desired. The en bloc sale has certainly showed the ugly side of many people here.

Originally, I was not agreeable to the en bloc sale, fearing manipulations by some unscrupulous characters in the committee. As the sale proposal got underway, the en bloc agent gave an impressive presentation displaying good sense and professionalism, backed by an impressive track record. I began to see the positive side of the exercise and when decision time came round, I made my decision to go ahead.

My apartment cost me $65,000, when I bought it in the 70's. A princely figure at that time. The flooring, terrazzo and parquet, cost me $5,000. Developed by the defunct Housing & Urban Development Corporation (HUDC), the apartment was very slipshod. We were the guinea pigs of HUDC, a government company which was eventually absorbed by the HDB. We were the first phase of apartments built for the middle income group. My carpenter complained to me that the walls were bulging in the middle, making it difficult to install built-in cupboards. I was officially handed over my apartment by HUDC on 26th July, 1977. This would make it 30 years old this July.

I almost emptied my bank account paying by instalments. For the first year, I was very worried when I was left with just $300 in my account every month. I struggled through, cutting out all frills and spending until the following year, when the situation improved slowly. I had to cut out treats for the children and there were no eating out.

When I moved in, I could not afford the renovations. I varnished the parquet floor alone, over one weekend, and ended up with a severe back pain. I painted the walls alone and the furnishings were very spartan. Fortunately when I moved the family in, it was comfortable and for the first time, I owned my own property. That satisfaction overcame the financial difficulties.

When I eventually move out, I will leave with a very mixed feeling, and a heavy heart. Scrapping bottom to pay for the apartment and bringing up my children in it through the years, I will leave behind much memories. I had looked forward to the MRT under constructions, but when this is ready, I would not be around here. However, I hope that I will have convenient access here again from wherever I will move to, to continue with my services to the church.

I will no doubt, post updates in this blog on the progress of the en bloc sale.

Till then...