http://www.propertyguru.com.sg/prope...32-000-penalty
Another Design Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS) flat buyer has been issued a 20 percent penalty after his wedding was cancelled.
After PropertyGuru published a story about a couple who was required to pay a penalty after they called off their wedding, another reader, John (not his real name), reported a similar incident.
He purchased a DBSS home for S$660,000 in 2008 from a developer, under the Fiancé / Fiancée Scheme and was required to turn over a copy of his marriage certificate by 20 April 2011. However, since the wedding is off, he is now disqualified from the scheme. He is also required to pay 20 percent of the purchase price as a penalty, which comes to S$132,000.
Despite his numerous appeals and even after consulting with his MP twice, he was advised to get married again. Otherwise, the developer is entitled to forfeit his deposit.
“I will be destroying my life the next three years as I need to save up again for my marriage. This is too heavy a penalty for me,” said the 29-year-old, whose monthly salary is S$2,500.
“I was with my ex-girlfriend and the location is nice. That’s why we chose this DBSS flat,” he explained, when asked why he did not opt for a more affordable Built-to-Order (BTO) flat.
When contacted, a spokesperson for the developer said, “The developer reserves the rights to terminate the sales and purchase agreement by serving a 21-day notice and forfeit 20 percent of the deposit as stipulated in clause 20 of the agreement should the buyer be no longer eligible to buy the DBSS unit.”
To keep the flat, John was told to form a family nucleus, as approved by the HDB. He is, however, unable to do so, as his parents already own a private property.
“Under such circumstances, the developer can allow another buyer, provided there is an eligible one, to take over such a unit,” added the spokesperson.
John's potential partner will have to be a non-Chinese, as the quota for a Chinese applicant has already been met.
Until such an applicant steps forward, John has to face the penalty.
Kena sabo by girl friend?