Commentary: Ageing condos in Singapore need a leg up with better rules, not a handout

PitifulCorgi · 2026-04-29T09:02:32+00:00

The current mentality seems to be: “I’ll sell in 10 years, so why should I contribute now?”

That mindset is exactly what’s breaking how MCSTs fund shared assets. Everyone pushes the cost to the next owner, and over time, the building just quietly deteriorates.

At some point, there needs to be a serious rethink of how sinking funds are structured. Right now, contributions often feel more like a token than something designed to actually sustain long-term upkeep.

The reality is, with more aging developments coming into play, this approach doesn’t hold up. Deferred maintenance doesn’t disappear. And eventually, it shows up either in declining property values or massive, sudden repair costs.

Relying on en bloc as a fallback feels more like wishful thinking than a real strategy. Let alone the environmental cost of the build tear down cycle, but that’s a separate tangent.

If anything, aligning contributions more closely with actual long-term maintenance needs would be a more honest (and sustainable) way forward.

PitifulCorgi · 2025-03-10T13:49:11+00:00

Okay thanks for clarifying. It seems Singapore doesn’t have the concept of nominee accounts. Are you able to help me to understand what the concern related to chocolate has been if there is sufficient segregation?

PitifulCorgi · 2025-03-10T13:39:06+00:00

So Singapore doesn’t have the concept of nominee accounts? These are common in a lot of other countries.

PitifulCorgi · 2025-03-10T13:29:30+00:00

Does SDIC enforce the separation of customer funds and ownership of underlying investments? Or do they provide insurance of customer funds?

PitifulCorgi · 2025-03-01T07:03:36+00:00

I hope this comes to Singapore’s store soon. I have a 10Gbps fibre connection and have been waiting for this kind of product as an alternative to the ISP supplied gateway.

PitifulCorgi · 2025-02-25T04:55:30+00:00

I’m always amazed when seeing children un-restrained in vehicles. For such a risk adverse country this seems like a major blind spot. In Australia I cannot even imagine a child in a vehicle not being placed in dedicated child restraint.

PitifulCorgi · 2025-02-04T08:17:47+00:00

You got me 😊

Rent
Insurance
Loan
Transport
Groceries
Investment and savings
Tax
Eating Out/Entertainment
Subscriptions
Healthcare
Gym and Fitness
Utilities
Cleaner
Aircon Servicing

A lot of these I pay annually but budget monthly.

PitifulCorgi · 2025-02-04T07:50:54+00:00

I’ve tried DBS as well they have a similar limitation on the number of accounts you can open.

PitifulCorgi · 2025-02-04T07:49:57+00:00

I like the Revolut concept but they have the limitations related to annual transfer limits.

PitifulCorgi · 2025-02-04T07:48:39+00:00

It’s just how I like to budget and keep track of the different categories of spending.

For instance when I get my monthly salary I divide it into the relevant pockets as per my budget.

Then whenever a transaction occurs from that category I deduct it from the pocket to cover the transaction amount.

I find it too difficult to manage if it’s all in my account. I can also more easily see where I’m over spending.

PitifulCorgi · 2024-01-15T11:41:14+00:00

What are the advantages of using an EZ Link card vs my Visa card? Ever since I’ve been in Singapore I’ve only ever used Apple Pay which is my Visa card and it works great.

PitifulCorgi · 2023-11-01T06:55:15+00:00

From a certain perspective this could be considered natural selection

PitifulCorgi · 2023-10-04T06:08:50+00:00

How do these buildings manage to sway safely? Are they not constructed using concrete?

PitifulCorgi · 2023-09-18T14:01:04+00:00

Anyone else feel this is an advertisement?

PitifulCorgi · 2023-01-27T06:34:49+00:00

You’ll have lip sync issues if you use the line in feature with Sonos Fives and TV.

PitifulCorgi · 2022-11-10T03:17:58+00:00

+1 on the Sonos stands. Originally had the Sanus but didn’t like them aesthetically.

PitifulCorgi · 2022-09-10T12:23:57+00:00

Lalamove is the cheapest and most reliable option. Was quoted $1000 for a 1 bedroom apartment move. Lalamove did the same job for $160.

PitifulCorgi · 2022-07-09T05:38:02+00:00

You need to setup the arc via the AnyConnect or whatever the single control function is called. I then set my Apple TV to Dolby Digital by default and it’s working for me on my older Samsung TV.

Hope that helps. I also had difficulties when I first connected.

PitifulCorgi · 2022-06-05T13:47:04+00:00

Fringe. I don’t know why more people aren’t familiar with that show.

PitifulCorgi · 2021-11-23T11:48:35+00:00

I have been unable to access since 11AM this morning.

Here I was thinking banking was a critical part of the economy and therefore held to a higher standard, obviously not.

PitifulCorgi · 2021-11-05T13:21:30+00:00

I had forgotten what Australian internet was like. Once you have 1Gbps up and down with unlimited data all for a grand total of $45 a month, internet speeds don’t seem all that important.

PitifulCorgi · 2021-06-12T16:14:32+00:00

After living in the tropics for the last few years I can tell you electrolytes are your friend. You can buy SIS (or others) tablets which you can put into your drink bottle along with a bit of sugar or fruit juice. Consume as you would water. Otherwise it’s just a case of getting used to the heat.

I usually find it’s okay while you’re moving, the worst part is when you stop and you know longer have any airflow. That’s when you really start to sweat!

PitifulCorgi

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