SINGAPORE (EDGEPROP) - As part of the revised safe management measures (SMM) announced by the Multi-Ministry Taskforce on May 14, capacity has been further reduced at property developers’ project sales galleries and showflats with effect from May 16 to June 13.

In a circular to property developers, the Urban and Redevelopment Authority (URA) stated that the maximum capacity for project show galleries and the showflats within, will be based on a distance of of 16 sqm per person, instead of the existing 10 sqm per person.

The maximum number of persons in each group touring the sales gallery will be reduced from the existing five to just two – and that includes visitor, sales person or the developer’s staff.

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Food and beverage cannot be consumed in the sales galleries, which means masks have to be always kept on.

URA is encouraging developers to implement the revised SMM as soon as possible rather than wait for the new measures to come into effect. The revised SMM applies to both new and existing project sales galleries.

TraceTogether-only SafeEntry are required to be implemented at sales galleries by 17 May 2021. Scanning of barcodes on ID cards will still be accepted till 31 May 2021. These measures have been introduced to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission.

The Council for Estate Agents (CEA) also issued a statement on how agents should conduct property viewings during this coming month. IT tools and solutions were encouraged, and agents are to meet clients in person only “if it is absolutely necessary” for conducting the property transaction.

If in-person meetings is required, a physical distance of at least one metre has to be maintained between person. If activity is to be conducted within a private residence – whether occupier or unoccupied – the agent has to record the entry of the client or any other person in the premises as part of contact tracing requirements.

In conducting viewing, handover or takeover activities, agents are also encouraged to reduce contact with surfaces within the premises. And if premises are occupied by a household, agents are to ensure that there are no more than two distinct visitors (including the agent) per day.

The agent may request that the occupants turn on all the lights, open windows and doors for viewing prior to the visit. And clients are requested not to touch any surfaces within the premises.

To further minimise contact, agents may wear gloves. They are also not to hand out marketing materials or documents at the meetings, for instance, those relating to the handover or takeover such as end-of- tenancy checklist, inventory list or property condition reports. Electronic means are encouraged to deliver such materials.

Agents are also encouraged to market properties using non-physical means, for instance digital or telephone marketing. Agents are allowed to photograph or filmi properties in order to conduct online viewings.

Read more: Singapore residential prices rise 3.3% in 1Q2021: URA

Door-to-door marketing, marketing of properties in public places as well as distribution of flyers at public spaces such as public transport nodes and HDB common areas are discouraged.

If buildings zoned for retail use such as malls have been leased to conduct property transaction activities, property agents are to comply with the SMM set out by Enterprise Singapore, Housing & Development Board (HDB), Singapore Tourism Board and URA.

HDB currently does not allow the exercise of option to be done remotely or electronically. Forms such as the Option to Purchase, require “wet-ink” signatures. However, in handing or taking over rental properties, agents should first arrange for virtual meetings to discuss handover or takeover matters. Agents are encouraged to keep interactions short and adhere strictly to the daily visitor gap.

Take a virtual tour of the New Condo Launch in 2021, including these new launch projects: The Landmark, One-north Eden

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