In the latest twist to the tenancy woes at Turf City mall, sub-tenants may have to vacate their shops despite an earlier High Court order, which allows them to stay while the mall’s master tenancy change hands.
They were told on Friday that the current master tenant, Singapore Agro Agricultural, has made an urgent application to set aside the court injunction, obtained by the new master tenant, SH Cogent Logistics, last month.
Singapore Agro’s lease ends on February 29, but it wants the tenants out by January 31 so it can clear the site before handing it back to the State.
When Channel NewsAsia visited the mall on Thursday, lights and air-conditioning in many common areas were switched off. Sub-tenants also said that the toilets were unkempt and rubbish bins have been removed.
Utilities were restored on Friday after the Singapore Land Authority, which owns the site at Turf City mall, stepped in to warn outgoing master tenant Singapore Agro twice about safety, hygiene and security concerns.
But these are the least of sub-tenants’ worries as their concern is whether they will have to move out before end February.
Singapore Agro has applied to the courts to set aside the temporary injunction order, which came into effect on January 20. The injunction prevents Singapore Agro from evicting any sub-tenants who want to continue their business with the new master tenant.
With things in limbo, many sub-tenants were clearly frustrated.
Jackie Barkham, director of Swallows & Amazons, said: “I have the children and I have staff that ask me everyday, “Do I come to work tomorrow?” So we just take it one day at a time. It’s like going to work with a sword over your head, because you actually don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Ms Barkham said the school has started looking for temporary places to run their programme, in case it is evicted.
In a letter to sub-tenants on Friday, Singapore Agro said an earlier agreement signed in July and August 2011 with sub-tenants had stated clearly that operations would wind down on January 31. But it respects the existing court order and continues to provide electricity and basic maintenance for those who chose to remain.
Singapore Agro said the site is supposed to be reinstated and handed over to the Singapore Land Authority. Channel NewsAsia understands that Singapore Agro has also stopped accepting any rent from sub-tenants.
Sub-tenants hope that the authorities will step in to resolve the matter.
Lincoln Gabriel, founder & CEO of Art Boot Camp, said: “I think to put and end to all this, someone of authority should step in to allay, not just tenants concerns, and our customers, but the general public. If you look around you’ll see unlit walkways, it’s quite unsightly.”
The Singapore Land Authority said it hopes Singapore Agro will facilitate a smooth transition for sub-tenants who are continuing their businesses under the new master tenant.
Source : Channel NewsAsia – 4 Feb 2012