Some ageing condos in Singapore struggle with failing infrastructure, inadequate sinking funds
newsare.net
SINGAPORE — In 2024, when two out of three lifts in his block at Fernwood Towers broke down, Haider Manasawala had to carry his suitcase down 21 storeys to catch a flight.«Only one lift was operating and it was taking forever to come. I didn't have aSome ageing condos in Singapore struggle with failing infrastructure, inadequate sinking funds
SINGAPORE — In 2024, when two out of three lifts in his block at Fernwood Towers broke down, Haider Manasawala had to carry his suitcase down 21 storeys to catch a flight.«Only one lift was operating and it was taking forever to come. I didn't have a choice,» said Haider, a regional chief financial officer with a US multinational firm.On other occasions, all three ageing lifts failed, forcing Haider to climb the stairs to get home.Fernwood Towers, a 31-year-old freehold development near Siglap, has 11 lifts across four residential blocks. But despite frequent lift breakdowns, which started in 2021, the management corporation strata title (MCST) found it hard to get owners' support to raise funds and replace them.Fernwood Towers is among a growing number of condominium developments grappling with deteriorating infrastructure and insufficient sinking funds to carry out major repair and replacement works. This problem could worsen as more developments cross the 30-year mark, said industry experts. Read more
