SINGAPORE — About four months after it was formed, the task force looking into building and design complaints from residents of Centrale 8 has made some headway, with some design issues to do with the common areas of the Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS) estate to be rectified.

However, some residents said alleged defects within their homes, which include stained tiles, have remained unaddressed.

Supervised by Tampines Group Representation Constituency Member of Parliament Heng Swee Keat, who is also Finance Minister, the task force was formed after a petition signed by owners of more than half of the units at Centrale 8 — nearly 400 of them. They alleged that the materials used for their homes were of poor quality and had poor design, which compromised the space, safety and privacy, such as toilet windows that face the common corridor.

The task force is chaired by Mr Gerald Lim, a grassroots leader.

Residents interviewed by TODAY said the task force has met three times: In June, July and August. The task force, they said, will ensure that certain issues are rectified, including the realignment of the carpark entrance, as well as the expansion of the multipurpose hall.

Previously, residents had complained that the entrance to the estate as well as the car park meet at a cross junction, increasing the chances of accidents.

Also, the multipurpose hall was too small and in an awkward position, and people used to accidentally walk into the casket area at wakes, said resident Eugene Cher, 35, a manager.

But they claimed some defects within the homes have not been addressed. “It seems the task force is just a middleman, with no legal power ... ” said Mr Cher. “They have suggested getting an independent assessor to inspect the defects in our homes, but so far nothing has been done.”

Residents said there are pipes that take up more than half the space at the service yards, which was not stated in the original floor plans given to residents at the point of purchase.

A developer has to rectify any defects in the units within a year after handing over the keys. This deadline has passed.

In response to queries, Mr Lim said the group has addressed both common area and “collective individual issues”, such as the installation of blinds for bathrooms of certain units, and replacing the doors of certain units.

Residents also complained that gas vents that allow gas to escape in the event of a leak have still not been built in some blocks, but Mr Lim clarified that this has been attended to and the “relevant authority has confirmed that all units are in compliance”.

To address individual unit defects, the task force has obtained the developer’s agreement to keep open the Building Service Centre until December, he added. This way, residents will continue to be able to report defects.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story reported a resident saying that developer Sim Lian had referred to Building and Construction Authority guidelines when addressing his complaints about pipes in his service yard. Sim Lian has clarified this was not the case. We apologise for the error.