SINGAPORE: Garden Hub, which manages an
eight-hectare site of gardening-related businesses at Jalan
Penjara, plans to take the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) to court
over tenancy issues.
It is believed to be the first such case involving
property managed by the SLA.
Garden Hub was meant to be a one-stop station for
all things related to gardening and landscaping.
But the fate of 15 sub-tenants is now in limbo.
This comes after the master tenant was served a termination notice
earlier this month by SLA, to clear out by 22 September.
Channel NewsAsia obtained the letter, which said the premises were
only meant for plant nurseries and ornamental plant
production.
It added the tenant had sublet the area for unauthorised uses,
without prior approval.
Garden Hub is now planning to take legal action on the
matter.
It is still business as usual for many of the subtenants.
At the moment, it is unclear if it is illegal for them to continue
occupying these premises because of SLA's termination notice.
But on the other hand, subtenants also said they remain
contractually bound to Garden Hub.
One subtenant said: "It's been very, very difficult because we
don't know where we are and whether we are here legally or
illegally, so that's been the most difficult part, and not knowing
what to do and who to ask for help.
"It's a very, very difficult situation because we have all invested
a lot of money here.
"Before we came here, this place has been vacant for a very long
time and very, very badly maintained."
Subtenants said business has been hit, some as much as half, since
the dispute unfolded as customers are unaware whether they are open
or not.
Cookyn Inc co-owner Dexter Tai said: "All the long-term plans that
we have for this place is on hold for this point in time because we
don't really know what's the final outcome.
"We have spent a lot of money, our life savings are all in
here.
"The four directors, we're all friends. Hopefully our friendship
stays. But more important is our responsibility to our sponsors and
also our clients."
For now, SLA said it is reviewing the court papers filed.
-CNA/wk