Black and White Properties Managed by SLA with Undeveloped State Land Adjacent to Property
Ministry of LawSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the number of black-and-white properties managed by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) with adjacent undeveloped state land where maintenance concerns were raised, as asked by Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim. Second Minister for Law Edwin Tong Chun Fai explained that SLA assesses feedback on public health and safety on a case-by-case basis to safeguard its interests as a landlord. He stated that resolutions are site-specific, involving measures like increased fogging or site clearance if disamenities persist and pose safety risks. The Minister further noted that SLA considers specific tenancy details and the nature of the concerns when determining the appropriate course of action. Finally, he mentioned that SLA does not specifically track the number of requests from tenants regarding the maintenance of adjacent vegetated state land.
Transcript
8 Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Law (a) to date, how many black and white properties managed by SLA have had undeveloped state land located adjacent to the property, for which tenants have raised concerns about maintenance; and (b) what is the procedure that SLA follows to resolve such concerns.
Mr Edwin Tong Chun Fai (Second Minister for Law): From time to time, the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) receives feedback, from the tenants of residential state properties it manages and/or other residents in the vicinity, on issues related to vegetated land located within and adjacent to the properties. These include issues relating to public health and safety.
SLA’s approach to such cases, including whether site clearance is necessary, is to assess each case on its merits, depending on the specific circumstances, and always with a view to safeguarding SLA’s interests as the landlord.
SLA will take into consideration, amongst other factors, the nature of the tenants’ public health and safety concerns, the specific tenancy details and how SLA’s interests would be best achieved in the context of the tenancy and its surrounding circumstances. The solution to the issues may also be site-specific. For example, some cases involving mosquito breeding can be resolved through more frequent fogging. However, site clearance may be carried out if the disamenity persists and it is necessary to address public health and safety concerns.
SLA does not specifically track the number of requests from its tenants on issues relating to the maintenance of vegetated state land located adjacent to residential state properties.