Every condo in Singapore is required by law to have a mandatory condominium management committee (CMC). This committee manages common areas like lobbies, elevators and communal eating spaces.
The CMC also has the power to impose fines on owners for minor infractions like littering or dumping garbage in the common areas.
While a CMC sounds like an easy task, in reality it is not. It is one of the most challenging aspects of owning a condo in Singapore as an owner must balance their own needs with those of other owners in the building.
In this article we will look at some of the key things you need to know about your responsibilities as a condo owner in Singapore, so that you can feel confident about your role and duties as an owner.
What does a condo owner in Singapore have to do?
Condo owners are responsible for a number of tasks in order to maintain the appearance, safety and enjoyment of the building. Some of these tasks include:
– Paying the monthly service charge (typically S$50)
– Ensuring that common areas are kept neat and tidy
– Keeping their units clean, including keeping corridors and staircases clear from dust and dirt
– Washing communal laundry facilities once a month
– Participating in committee meetings as a member of the CMC
– Reporting any issues or problems to management staff
– Maintaining their unit by not allowing pets or noise into other units
– Picking up and disposing of trash responsibly
Which obligations come with being a condo owner in Singapore
If you are a condo owner in Singapore, you have the following obligations under the law:
1) You must have an adequately staffed and equipped security team to protect your building. This includes at least one uniformed guard at all times.
2) You must make sure that common areas are in proper condition. For example, lobby carpeting needs to be clean and free of broken tiles and other holes.
3) You must ensure the safety of your guests, visitors and tenants in general by notifying CMC members of any incidents or potential dangers in the building. If you notice someone trespassing on the grounds of your building or if someone asks for help on social media, you should alert CMC members immediately.
4) When your guests leave, they cannot leave garbage behind which can be seen as a nuisance to other owners. This means that trash cans need to be cleaned regularly so that no trash is left out for long periods of time. When it comes to this duty, owners are equally responsible for cleaning up their own waste so that it does not end up next to another owner’s bin.
5) Owners must also maintain their own property and pay their dues promptly as well as comply with any rules set by the CMC such as sweeping pathways before rainstorms or noise control regulations.
6) Owners must also attend CMC meetings when they are scheduled (usually twice per month).
Keep your unit in good condition
Owners are required to keep their units in good condition, and this can be difficult to do especially if you live in an older building. A key aspect of maintaining your unit is keeping it clean and clear of rubbish.
This can be done by sweeping the common areas, making sure your unit doesn’t smell of rotten food or have any odors from pets, and for greasy stains on the walls, use a dry cloth or clean with vinegar. You should also wash your windows and curtains to ensure that they don’t collect dirt or debris.
You should also keep your doors and windows open when you’re home so that air can flow through your unit more easily. If you must close them because there is no ventilation in the unit, try using a fan instead.
Maintain common areas such as lobbies and elevators
One of the most difficult duties an owner faces is maintaining common areas. Just like the owners of a hotel or commercial property, you are responsible for keeping your condo lobby and elevators in good condition. You must also ensure that you are not causing any damage to the building and it’s property.
As a condo owner, you should also maintain your unit. You have to make sure that it is in good condition and has a functioning refrigerator and stove as these are essential appliances. If you fail to maintain these aspects, they will be fined by the CMC.
Be mindful of the safety of your building’s residents
When you first move into your condo, you will be required to fill out a safety assessment form. It is important to note that the CMC has the power to shut down unsafe buildings according to Singapore’s 2013 Land Transport (Road Traffic and Parking) Regulations.
This means that you have an obligation to make sure that your condo is safe for residents and visitors. One step you can take is by regularly checking if there are any fire extinguishers available in your building so that a fire cannot start in your common space without warning. You should also ensure that all emergency exits are well-lit and clearly marked.
Be part of your building’s management committee
The CMC has the power to impose fines on owners for minor infractions like littering or dumping garbage in the common areas.
As a condo owner, it is your responsibility to be part of the building’s management committee. This committee manages common areas like lobbies, elevators and communal eating spaces.
Owners should also set up a special account with their bank to ease communication between them and their management committee.
This will give you better access for payments, maintenance and managing your condo. It will also ensure that you are given all the relevant information about your building so that you can take care of it properly.
Because owners must balance their own needs with those of other owners in the building, it is important to have greater control over certain aspects of your condominium (e.g., having access to certain areas or being able to opt out from certain events) without affecting others in your building who may not want these changes as well.
Know more about your rights before selling or renting out your condo
Whether you are selling or renting out your condo, it is important to know more about your rights.
Some owners who sell their condos actually sign away part of their rights by agreeing to a transfer of the property to the buyer.
This means the seller will not be involved with the management committee and they will have no say in how the building is run.
There are also rules around renting out your condo which include that you must register with the Land Authority (LA). This law aims to make sure that people renting out their condos do not turn into landlords and have no control over what goes on inside them.
Conclusion
Condo owners in Singapore are responsible for:
1. Keeping their unit in good condition
2. Maintaining common areas such as lobbies and elevators
3. Being mindful of the safety of their building’s residents
4. Being on the management committee of their building
5. Knowing more about their rights before selling or renting out their condo.
