angtc11

Hi Snoozee The person who advised was licensed to do landed, hence i thought it was factual. WRT the illegal extension, all the older houses along that stretch built up to the rear boundary, could it be a result of legacy development control guidelines? Further, when i browsed the cadastral preview on INLIS, the diagram of the unit in question showed the building up to the boundary, while other units who also built to the boundary were not reflected correctly. Does this imply that the extension is actually approved? The best way to determine the legality of the extension is to retrieve the plans from BCA? Appreciate your advice, thanks!

Hi Snoozee The seller does not have the PE plans as he bought 15 years ago and the extension was done before his time. To add to the complication, the neighbour on that side is rebuilding his inter terrace. In such a situation, will they be liable to make restitution to an illegal structure even if they caused the problem? Assuming the precon report included the illegal structure (am requesting for the report) My contractor however mentioned that URA might learn of the illegal extension through the transaction due process since a surveyor will be needed but this was refuted by the agent who said only bank valuer will be onsite. Firstly, is it correct that there are no surveyors involved? If they are, would URA detect and investigate discrepancies in the submission and their records? Thanks!

Hi Petetherock Yup, I intend to get someone to assess the termites situation before buying. Wanted to ask around on this forum to understand if even an inspection and subsequent measures would be futile, then I would just walk away. If the inspection shows that there are still problems and might have spread, neccessicitating tearing out the other wooden items then the next hurdle is the reno budget (assuming replacing is effective). However, reno budget is slightly flexible as that's a choice, technically it then boils down to the deal price (and my leftover cash), I can go up to say 150k or slightly more.

Hi Petetherock You would also avoid houses with former termite infestation that has been inspected independently? I contacted Origin and their feedback is to do either a basic visual inspection at a ~200 or a thermal inspection at ~600 to assess what's the next step. Would the inspection not be a sufficient mitigation of the earlier termite problem? Or is it just that a former infestation means a recurrence is likely? Thanks!

Thanks Snoozee, agreed on the contractor experience especially now that the issues surfaced. Will be looking for builder, in fact, we were also considering the builder that's is reconstructing the house next door. Unfortunately, I dropped an enquiry to URA just now, but did not provide the specific address. Will disengage that discussion when they respond. I am actually open to selling or redeveloping the house after 10 years, depending on the economics at that time. Thanks once again for your sound advice!

Hi Snoozee, I browsed the forum last night for termite topics and saw a March thread that mentioned costs of 2.5k for treatment and 500 for annual. Is this usually sufficient? I saw some pest companies website recommend monthly/bimonthly checks, each time costing a few hundred. Will speak to the pest control people to check out on an inspection package if we were to offer. In your opinion, should the wooden items be replaced during reno? Wanted to get unbiased opinions from the forum as on one hand, I am afraid the pest control will just advise me to retain the wood for future business and on the other, it will use up the budget for reno. If the costs are really 500 annually and the house is cleared as good, inclination is to retain since the 500 annual would be necessary expense anyway The sellers claim the leaks have also been fixed, which I guess I would only know if I get a person to check out the property. I would prefer to retain the skylight since it provides much needed light into the house. Also saw roofing costs of ~20k while browsing the forum, but it was a few years back. For the reno, I will list down the items to further get an opinion here. A high level discussion with a contractor based on the floor area came up to be ~100k, but this would be his first landed reno, hence we are also unsure whether it is a correct ballpark. The seller agent confirmed that its illegal but also positioned that the illegal structure can remain if we don't do anything major requiring submission of plans to URA. Will check out with URA on that part too. Thanks for your help!

Hi I am looking to buy a landed property for the first time and the prospective buy is an old house which had termite and leakage problems. Due to a tight budget, I will will not be rebuilding and instead do basic and necessary reno like painting, wiring, plumbing and keep to ~100k. Would like to understand from the experienced people from the forum to understand how to manage them and if I should proceed with the purchase. Property has been renovated once 15 years and another time 7 years ago but 1-2 years back the following problems surfaced. Seller claims they were fixed (we chanced upon an invoice from a pest company stating that there are no termite activities dated sept'20). 1) Termite problems at master bedroom parquet - Would it mean be recommended that the wooden items like the parquet, wardrobes, kitchen cabinet be replaced? Would replacing them mean that this particular infestation be effectively eradicated (understand that there might be another independent infestation even if this particular one is eradicated)? - How big of a possibility would a recurrence be if I can get my own inspection to confirm the termites are cleared (without replacing the parquet etc)? - How big of an one time/ongoing cost would a prevention of recurrence be? - would termites pose a structural problem for the house? 2) Water leakage from skylight - Should I get a property inspector or a contractor to ascertain whether there is any lasting damage? - what kind of remedial measures are usually required and the approx cost (so that I can include in the reno scope)? 3) Reno budget of 100k - The overall appearance of the house is still acceptable and I would have retained the flooring, wardrobe, kitchen cabinet, toilets (would replace sanitary fittings) had there not been a termite problem. Is this budget realistic to cover the basics to move in and stay for ~10 years? - owner extended the back of the house to create a room and did not provide for the back offset of 1m. Would I have to adhere to the regulations and revert the changes? The seller agent stated that this is not required so long as I only did 'internal reno' Appreciate any advice or comments. Thanks in advance!

Hi I am looking for a ceiling fan with lights included. The lights and fan need to be controlled with 1 power switch and separately controlled by a remote. Are there KDK fans meeting the criteria? Thanks