ST : Owners resolve dispute with CDL, contractors

08 Feb 2011,
EMERY POINT DEFECTS

Owners resolve dispute with CDL, contractors
By Selina Lum

THE High Court lawsuit brought by the management corporation of the Emery Point condominium in Tanjong Katong over building defects was amicably resolved yesterday.

The management corporation, representing the owners, had sued listed developer City Developments Limited (CDL), main contractor Hytech Builders, five subcontractors, and the architect, claiming about $600,000 in compensation to rectify the defects.

The hearing started on Monday, with three subcontractors reaching a settlement with the owners.

Yesterday, the owners also reached a settlement with CDL, Hytech and two other subcontractors. The terms of the settlement are confidential.

In a joint press statement, the parties said they were 'pleased that a final resolution has now been reached' and that the management corporation will be using the settlement sum to 'do up Emery Point, which should enhance its value'.

In the statement, the management corporation clarified that there were only 16 water leakage points in the basement carpark and not 280.

The 280 points - stated by its lawyers - referred to proposed grouting points to address the leakage, it said.

CDL said in the statement that it has always been conscious of the quality of its projects, and detailed how it had in fact gone beyond its obligation.

CDL said it had appointed a building surveyor to conduct an inspection before handing over the common property; defects were rectified before the management corporation took over.

CDL also obtained warranties from the main contractor and subcontractors for five or 10 years.

And when any defects arose, the architect, main contractor and the subcontractors had attended to the defects at the condo.

The statement noted that Emery Point won two Building and Construction Authority awards in May 2005 - the merit award for construction excellence in the residential buildings category, and the best buildable design award.