By Romesh Navaratnarajah: In a landmark move, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) has been taken to court after a flat owner filed a case against it for acquiring his flat due to alleged illegal subletting.
Chew Teck Fatt, owner of the five-room unit in Bukit Batok, wants the right to be fully heard based on all the evidence gathered.
But the HDB feels that the court does not have the power to review its decision and that it can compulsorily acquire a flat that has been illegally rented out.
According to facts of the case, HDB acquired Chew's unit after its officers discovered from tenants that he did not actually live there.
Chew denied the allegations, explaining that the third room is kept for his own use.
He added that several appeals were made to HDB not to acquire his flat but they were denied and resulted in the court action.
In its defence, the housing board said that tenant Zulkeple Husin signed a statement in March this year verifying it to be correct.
This is disputed by Zulkeple, who felt the document he signed only attested to the fact that HDB officers visited the flat.
At issue now is whether there must be continuous physical occupation of the property or whether Chew lost interest in the flat and illegally sublet the whole unit.
Chew also questions how HDB arrived at its decision when it did not give him any opportunity to address the whole issue.
He noted that the court action was a last resort, adding that he fully cooperated with HDB and hopes to see the case resolved. Related Stories: Khaw: HDB making steady progress, to build 20,000 flats next year
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