More precise info needed in flat brochures

I refer to the report “Columbarium news irks future residents of Sengkang flats” (Jan 5). The Housing and Development Board (HDB) and Urban Redevelopment Authority should be more transparent and precise in their brochures.

The clause that there might be a columbarium created uncertainty and put buyers in a dilemma during the selection of flats. As “might” could have meant “might not”, buyers were left with little option but to proceed.

If they refused the flats, they would have had to rejoin the queue and risk forfeiting the option fee of up to S$2,000. If the site did not eventually include a columbarium, buyers would have regretted not selecting a flat.

Naturally, some feel dejected now for selecting the flats. Brochures with such clauses can lead to misunderstanding when a reserved site nearby turns out not to the liking of some residents.

Town maps and site plans commonly include sites for undefined and unconfirmed use, which may end up as a school or place of worship. However, the Fernvale Link development is more than only a place of worship.

If the intent of use was not made clear, buyers should then have the right of rejection without forfeiture of the option fee because of the unfavourable location. How the columbarium is located does not matter to superstitious families.

Construction of Build-to-Order flats begins only when there are enough bookings. During this stage, the HDB should announce the specified intended use of reserved sites.

If the number of bookings is low due to the use of these sites, construction can then be called off, serving the interests of buyers and the HDB. When buyers are due to move in, it is too late for them to do anything to make a judgment call.