Key collection day!

After waiting for almost 4 years, we are finally getting our keys. (to be exact, 1 more day to 4 years of wait). Was reading online on the procedures for keys collection and i noticed that it is actually not very friendly as there are several places to head to. I was just wondering how will those who are not tech-savvy? Perhaps they will need to bump around asking the officers. 

Though our block is the last to receive the keys but we were one of the lucky couple to be the 1st batch to receive keys for our block. Really fortunate for us as we have 1 week to prepare before the 7th month starts. We decided to symbolic knock to kick-start the renovation as we feel it is really quite dumb to be holding the keys and not do anything at all for 1 FULL MONTH! 

 Upon arriving, we head to the self-service queue ticketing kiosk to scan the appointment letter for a queue number. I think as we are the 1st batch of key collector from my BTO block, we have yet to receive the appointment letter from HDB.  Lucky i have friends telling us to print it online as there are some declaration to fill up as well upon keys collection. 

After which, we move up to level 2 to take another queue number to pay for the fire insurance. This is compulsory and required to pay off prior keys collection as we needed to submit a copy of the receipt to the HDB officer upon key collection. The amount to pay for depending on the Flat Type so for our 5 room flat, we paid $6.60 for the basic fire insurance that covers only the structure and fire. (Payment is only made via ENETs)

I think the queue runs short today. While we were paying for the fire insurance, the HDB officer called our mobile informing us to head to respective counter for key collection where we head down back to level 1 - Sales office. I believe the queue number is also reflected on the TV screen showing respective counter to head to.

Level 1 waiting area.

Waiting at the counter while the HDB officer helped us to photocopy our Marriage certificate as we did not prepared a copy of it. We are required to submit this copy as we have a change in marital status. 

See that Black Pouch over next to the printer, it is where our flat's keys are located. Pretty excited as we are going to receive the keys for the home of ours.

We were informed by the HDB officer on our current CPF amount as well as the balance loan quantum. Shared the maximum loan period with monthly payable as well as tabulated a couple other permutation before we decided to bite the bullets on our chosen loan quantum. We wishes to clear the loan ASAP as the loan interest is really crazy. Despite taking the hard way through, the loan interest still amounted to about 70K.  

Throw all these negative thoughts aside about having heavy debts but HELL YEAH! WE GOT THE KEYS TO OUR NEW FLAT! A PLACE THAT WE CALL OURS!!! :)

The first thing we do while we arrived is to open the letter box. Was expecting to receive HDB letters but nothing aside the water tap key is inside. I think HDB is not processing the document fast enough for us though. I arranged the SPC guy via APP to come down around the same time as we arrived, he then turned on the water and electricity for us. Alternatively, i understand we can queue at HDB - SPC counter to register and activate it. 

The rituals.

Well, papaTan decided to research online and found Key collection Date – peculiar to Singapore Home Feng Shui
 to see on the rituals for key collection. Though we do not pray, we thought it might be good to follow for feng shui purpose. You may click HERE for more information and the steps by steps process. 

​So welcome to our home!

living room

kitchen

common toilet

mbr toilet

bedroom

service yard

The apartment came with little defects but just some issue with the skirting as well as the common toilet tap. We were lucky to have our ID to come over to help us for the defects check as well as to take some of the measurements. One issue about the BTO units where the main door is fire graded and THEY ARE EXTREMELY HEAVY! Worst when it doesn't open and stay put without door stopper. Totally unacceptable for me and lucky that our ID has the slide-arm in the car, so he went down and pick up tools and fix it up for us ;)))

开工大吉!!! 

Fret no more about heavy doors!