Condominiums now pack lesser parking spaces

Condominium owners used to be able to park up to three cars in their estate without having to pay additional charges. However, on land-scarce Singapore, newer condominiums are often built with less parking spaces - some providing one lot per unit or less.

The Straits Times reported that condos such as the Residences Botanique in Yio Chu Kang has 81 parking lots for its 81 residential units. Similarly, the 161-unit Parc Elegance in Telok Kurau has 161 spaces. A smaller establishment, 16@Amber along Amber Road, only has 40 lots for 46 units.

In comparison, the older Mandarin Gardens, which is located in the same vicinity, has around 1,500 parking lots for its 1,000 units.

Chief Executive of the Association of Management Corporations in Singapore, Jimmie Ling, commented that owners need to change the mentality of parking spaces being an entitlement. Instead, it is a common facility that should be shared among all owners. He advised condo buyers to do their homework before committing.

ERA Marketing Manager, Charlie Lim, recalled a family of five who walked away upon hearing about the strict parking policy at a showroom, where they were considering buying a unit. He said, "Buyers these days are much smarter. If there are not enough parking spaces, they will probably not buy."