Property News
Sunway Healthcare bets on senior-living demand with KL ramp-up, Johor expansion
Its managing director says there is a gap in Malaysia for integrated wellness solutions for the elderly
Country Garden reaches milestone as debt plan heads to vote
Eight of China’s 10 most indebted developers have largely, if not entirely, put the offshore restructuring process behind them
‘No misrepresentation of track record’ in Therme Group unit’s tender bid for S$1 billion wellness project: STB
An NYT report had accused Therme of exaggerating its track record to secure a previous deal in Toronto
Aims Apac Reit charged about S$450,000 by JTC after tenant, Cocoa Trees owner, sublets Hougang space
Landlord Aims Apac Reit has failed to ensure FNA did not sublet: JTC
Blackstone scores rare premium in Boston office building sale
The investment firm has also offloaded certain office properties
Private property residents account for majority of households with 2 or more cars
[SINGAPORE] Most households in Singapore that own more than one car are those residing in non-Housing & Development Board (HDB) properties, said...
Arab Street carpark site to make way for new SUSS and Islamic studies campuses
Analysts say the move will inject new life into the city centre through a more diverse use of land
Kingsford places top bid of S$918.3 million or S$1,326 psf ppr for first condo plot on former Keppel Club site
Plot draws just two other bids; big quantum seen to have kept some bidders away
New World, Vanke debt moves shake up China’s property sector
In Hong Kong, the commercial real estate continues to face challenges
Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, South Korea’s Lotteria join global F&B giants tapping Singapore consumers’ evolving taste
New openings come as China brands like Luckin, Chagee, Mixue consolidate, upgrade after breakneck expansion to over 400 outlets
Mah Bow Tan-led Therme Group unit wins STB tender, plans S$1 billion wellness attraction in Marina South
Singapore’s first dedicated wellness attraction is expected to draw up to two million visitors a year
China Vanke bonds plunge after state-owned backer tightens loan rules
The move signals a shift in Shenzhen Metro’s approach to financial support, becoming more stringent after a leadership change in October
New Zealand quarterly dwelling approvals near three-year high
The RBNZ has cut the Official Cash Rate by 300 basis points to 2.5% since starting its easing cycle in August last...
Stronger Singdollar makes ‘long Singapore property, short overseas property’ strategy compelling
Local currency strength can erode overseas property returns, while foreign purchases of Singapore real estate may gather momentum
New World Development launches up to US$1.9 billion debt exchange offer
The move comes as the company seeks to manage its capital structure in a challenging financing environment
Aravest, Wee Hur complete S$160 million purchase of former Hotel Miramar Singapore
Price works out to S$465,100 per room; property to be rebranded DoubleTree by Hilton after renovation
Australia home prices post fastest monthly gain in two years
The RBA has cut rates three times since February
Dealmaker Terry Wong takes helm of Colliers’ capital markets push with five-year growth plan
Former JLL senior director aims to boost Colliers’ visibility and competitiveness in Singapore
Sunway’s southern play: Founder Jeffrey Cheah eyes Johor for next phase of growth
With a gross development value of more than RM30 billion, Sunway City Iskandar Puteri is expected to be completed over the next...
Sunway to take ‘more active’ approach in Singapore property after MCL Land acquisition
The S$738.7 million deal marks the group’s biggest overseas investment and will anchor its regional growth strategy
China home sales slump deepens after easing in top cities
The value of new-home sales by the 100 largest property companies stands at 253 billion yuan
UK house prices rise in October, defying pre-budget nerves
The house price index increased by a monthly 0.3% after rising by 0.5% in September
From bedroom to boutique: Singapore’s blogshops come of age, but can they stay relevant?
Their next test will be whether they can turn early momentum into staying power, and style into substance
US-backed mortgage giant Fannie Mae cuts more than 62 jobs across departments
It says it must eliminate positions that are not core, or otherwise, to mortgages and new home sales
Trump-branded golf resort in Vietnam hits snag over land dispute
Project faces land recovery delays as residents contest amount of compensation offered by local authorities
US mortgage rates drop to 6.17%, lowest since early October 2024
This follows Fed’s widely anticipated quarter-point reduction; home sales are flat despite growing inventories
UK tax speculation to slow homebuilding into 2026, survey says
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves is widely expected to unveil a series of tax increases in the UK Budget
US pending home sales stall as labour market concerns build
Mortgage rates have shown signs of stabilising below 6.5%, and home prices are cooling
It's gone: Unusual koi tank outside Tampines flat dismantled following failed appeal
Toh Ting Wei
Apr 25, 2019
SINGAPORE - A Housing Board flat owner who had converted the doorstep of his property into a fish tank for his koi carp has dismantled the tank, after his appeal to keep it was rejected.
The Tampines Street 41 resident, who wanted to be known only as Mr Tan when approached by The Straits Times previously, had attached glass panels to the walls around the four steps leading to his ground-floor unit to house about 10 fish.
The structure was put in place three to four years ago, and the owner was unaware he needed permission to make the alteration.
The HDB said in January that the man could not keep the tank because of safety concerns. But he lodged an appeal, after working with Tampines Town Council on measures to address issues raised by the Housing Board.
The agency rejected the appeal earlier this month and said a key reason why it had turned down the appeal was that the stairway is common property.
Under the town council's by-laws, it is an offence to have unauthorised fixtures on common property.
When a Lianhe Zaobao reporter visited Mr Tan's house on Wednesday (April 24), the tank had already been dismantled.
The Tampines Town Council told ST on Tuesday that it had served notice to the resident to remove the tank and would follow up with him on a timeframe to do so.
A spokesman added: "Our offer to assist with the dismantling of the tank has been declined by the resident.
"We have also approached the resident to relocate the koi fishes to a community pond, but he was not keen to explore further."
Earlier this month, the Ministry of National Development told ST that it will ask the HDB to discuss with the town council about whether there are any suitable sites within the precinct that can accommodate a community garden which could involve Mr Tan and other like-minded residents.
It added that this initiative would have to be done separately through a proper process and not by "individual encroachment onto common property".
On the proposal, Mr Tan had said: "It's not just about digging two holes. You need to think about what is the attraction there and what is really useful for the community.
"Hopefully, something good will come out of it. I am a bit tired of this."
He and his wife also own the adjacent unit, through which they enter the flat with the blocked doorstep.His wife told ST earlier this month that they had hoped the authorities would make an exception on the basis that the structure was welcomed by the community.She said then: "We are not creating an eyesore or disturbance... If everybody keeps everything to the house, there will be no soul in the neighbourhood."
ST has contacted Mr Tan for more updates regarding the tank's removal.