Disappointed Homeowner Raises Concerns Over Poor Workmanship at Rivervale Shores BTO Unit
A homeowner at the Rivervale Shores Build-to-Order (BTO) project in Sengkang, Singapore, has expressed her disappointment and frustration over the poor workmanship and numerous defects in her newly received flat. The homeowner, Jess Choo, took to social media to highlight the issues she discovered, including dented doors, small gaps in the walls, uneven tiles, and other design flaws.
Rivervale Shores, located in District 19, Sengkang East Drive area, offers 2,500 units of 2-room Flexi, 3-room, 4-room, and 5-room flats. The project was launched in the August 2017 BTO Sales Launch. Jess Choo, who was excited to move into her new flat, was disheartened to find such glaring defects upon receiving the keys on 27 June.
In a video uploaded on social media, she expressed her dissatisfaction with the Housing Development Board (HDB) and stressed that these defects are unacceptable. Her balcony, in particular, was in the worst condition. Even before moving in, the paint was already peeling off, and there were misplaced water pipe covers. The walls had numerous small holes that provided entry points for ants. Other issues included scratches on doors and gates, as well as a rusted window hinge, raising concerns about potential safety hazards.
Due to the severity of the defects, Jess and her family had to postpone their renovation plans until October, as the seventh lunar month, which is considered inauspicious for renovations, is currently underway. They are living in a rental flat, and the upgrade to a larger home was eagerly anticipated.
Jess’s daughter reported the problems to the HDB, and two HDB inspectors, a contractor, and two foreign workers visited the unit on 3 July. They assured Jess that the issues would be resolved within two weeks.
Louis Chua, Member of Parliament for Sengkang GRC from the Workers’ Party, recently visited the building service centre at Rivervale and acknowledged that while most residents were satisfied with their units, some had serious defects that required additional attention. Chua praised the on-site team for going the extra mile to help all residents move into their new homes as soon as possible.
Responding to media queries, an HDB spokesperson stated that they are aware of the resident’s feedback and have investigated the issues. They confirmed that some of the balcony paint had peeled off and caused stains on the balcony floor, likely due to a recent rainy spell. Aside from the balcony issue, HDB assured that the other reported problems are minor in nature. The contractor will rectify the defects, clean the paint stains, and touch up the paintwork within a two-week timeframe.
The HDB emphasized that homeowners can report any issues in their newly completed flats during the one-year Defects Liability Period. They assured residents that the majority of feedback received pertains to minor defects that do not compromise the structural integrity or overall livability of the flats.
Rivervale Shores has already addressed and rectified 90 percent of the reported issues within 14 working days, demonstrating a strong commitment to promptly resolving residents’ concerns.
Residents who need to book an appointment for a joint inspection of their unit were advised to do so through the HDB website or contact the team directly for a faster response.
While this particular homeowner’s experience has been marred by defects, it’s important to note that the majority of residents at Rivervale Shores have expressed satisfaction with their units, and the HDB is working diligently to address any concerns that arise.
