<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR>Update law to deal with recalcitrant condo residents
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I REFER to last Saturday's report, 'It's my condo and I do what I want'. I am perturbed to hear about a council member refusing to pay the monthly $65 fee levied on those who park their second car in the estate.
I am the chairman of another condominium's management council, and we have faced a similar problem in the past two years. Our estate has about 50 owners who own more than one car. In 2006, it was decided at an annual general meeting that the management council would determine the terms and conditions and fees on issuance of carpark permits in the estate. In 2007, the management council imposed a monthly fee of $15 for parking a second car in the estate.
Although we sent numerous letters and got council members to persuade one resident to pay up, the issue is still not resolved. I believe other condos face similar problems with errant residents - such as littering, wearing improper swimming attire and hanging laundry in an unsightly manner.
Veteran condo residents know the managing agent is just a contractor employed by the residents and is powerless to fine or penalise them. Furthermore, taking legal action against a neighbour will not only cost thousands of dollars, but also most likely incur the wrath of the court.
I urge the Building and Construction Authority to review such problems with managing agents as well as management councils, and update the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act so the standard of condo living can be maintained.
Henry Ng
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I REFER to last Saturday's report, 'It's my condo and I do what I want'. I am perturbed to hear about a council member refusing to pay the monthly $65 fee levied on those who park their second car in the estate.
I am the chairman of another condominium's management council, and we have faced a similar problem in the past two years. Our estate has about 50 owners who own more than one car. In 2006, it was decided at an annual general meeting that the management council would determine the terms and conditions and fees on issuance of carpark permits in the estate. In 2007, the management council imposed a monthly fee of $15 for parking a second car in the estate.
Although we sent numerous letters and got council members to persuade one resident to pay up, the issue is still not resolved. I believe other condos face similar problems with errant residents - such as littering, wearing improper swimming attire and hanging laundry in an unsightly manner.
Veteran condo residents know the managing agent is just a contractor employed by the residents and is powerless to fine or penalise them. Furthermore, taking legal action against a neighbour will not only cost thousands of dollars, but also most likely incur the wrath of the court.
I urge the Building and Construction Authority to review such problems with managing agents as well as management councils, and update the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act so the standard of condo living can be maintained.
Henry Ng
