Some Ageing Condos Struggling With Failing Infrastructure, Inadequate Funds

Industry experts say problem could worsen as more developments cross 30-year mark

- Joyce Lim

In 2024, when two out of three lifts in his block at Fernwood Towers broke down, Mr Haider Manasawala had to carry his suitcase down 21 storeys to catch a flight.

"Only one lift was operating and it was taking forever to come. I didn't have a choice," said Mr Haider, a regional chief financial officer with a US multinational firm.

On other occasions, all three ageing lifts failed, forcing Mr Haider to climb the stairs to get home.

Fernwood Towers, a 31-year-old freehold development near Siglap, has 11 lifts across four residential blocks. But despite frequent lift breakdowns, which started in 2021, the management corporation strata title (MCST) found it hard to get owners' support to raise funds and replace them.

Fernwood Towers is among a growing number of condominium developments grappling with deteriorating infrastructure and insufficient sinking funds to carry out major repair and replacement works. This problem could worsen as more developments cross the 30-year mark, said industry experts.

Real estate agency ERA Singapore estimated that there are 2,703 condo developments in Singapore today, of which 836 or 31 per cent are at least 30 years old.

In 10 years, this number is expected to climb to 1,160, assuming none is sold en bloc, said Ms Wong Shanting, ERA Singapore's head of research and market intelligence.

Industry experts told The Straits Times that common problems in ageing condos include lift breakdowns, waterproofing failures and outdated electrical systems - often due to key infrastructure being past its intended lifespan.

As condominiums get older, it becomes harder and more expensive to keep their systems and structures safe, working well and meeting regulations.

Regular repairs, replacements or upgrades are often needed, and the condo must have enough funds to carry out these works, said Ms Winnie Wong, senior managing director of property management at Savills Singapore.