www.starproperty.my StarProperty.my StarProperty StarPropertyTV
11 APRIL 2018 WEDNESDAY
Catalysts to bridge market imbalance Promoting rental market as a way to address the affordable housing problem. > P06-07
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
StarProperty.my Virtual Property Fair
Discovering real estate possibilities at fair.starproperty.my/virtual/thecurve. > P02
aMA What you should know when renting a home
More questions and answers on the issues of tenancy. > P03
Declutter your home – for health
Free up your living area and destress with these practical tips > P08
02 11 APRIL 2018
STARPROPERTY.MY
Events highlights
www.starproperty.my StarProperty.my StarProperty StarPropertyTV
Editorial editor@starproperty.my Assistant General Manager ERNEST TOWLE ernest@thestar.com.my Content Coordinator Lee Yan Li lylee@thestar.com.my Content Writer Ng Pau Ling Aisyah Suwardi Hakim Hassan Tharmini Kenas Viktor Chong eION bRIAN TOWLE Nirmelraj V Muthu Chua Ee June Nithraj Ravichandran Video Editor Pamela Fong Pei Le Designer Kwong Chee Oon Queeny Yong Nurul Aida Tajudin
Too busy virtually every weekend?
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certainly not rank as a “must-do” thing on weekends. or many working Malaysians, weekends are norStarProperty.my now makes it more convenient mally spent “catching up” – such as catching up By for you by presenting virtual property fairs. If you on sleep, fun, relationships and doing chores. Ernest Towle missed the physical StarProperty.my Awards ShowFor couples with children, weekends would include ferrying the young ones from one case from March 29 to April 1, the virtual one will not extra-curricular activity to another. only let you see the bevy of developers participating in Then there are those who spend their weekends the fair but also allows you to explore the developments, the networking and sourcing for knowledge, skills and assets to imspecifications, and the walkthrough videos of the show units. And you can make inquiries from the comfort of wherever prove their future. No matter who you are, weekends are rarely you may be. less hectic than any regular working day. With the virtual propery fair, discovering real estate possibilFor those looking to acquire real estate, making your way to the property fair venue on the weekend may not sound inviting. ities and knowing the special deals will no longer be a challenge The thought of possibly getting lost (despite relying on a map for the time-sensitive Malaysian. So grab your notebook, tablet app), fighting for a car park and wading through the crowd would or mobile device to check out what’s on offer!
StarProperty.my Event Highlights Malaysia's Most Exceptional Developments 2018/2019
Ask Me Anything launches FB live session on April 18 (Wednesday )
Find out about the winners of StarProperty.my Awards 2018 and be one of the 50 lucky book winners! Join the contest at http://bit. ly/ctb2018.
Renting and Letting: What should you know about the law? This month on Ask Me Anything, StarProperty.my is launch-
MARKETING & SALEs Head of Customer Engagement & Support Ivy Leong 03 7967 1347 ivyleong@thestar.com.my Property Business Head of Sales JAMES OOI jamesooi@thestar.com.my Acting Head, Sales (Agent Business) Kent Thew 03 7967 1388 (ext 1861) kentthew@thestar.com.my
ing our first FB live session on April 18 (Wednesday) from 1pm onwards. Keen to know more about the issues of tenancy and law? Log on to bit.ly/AskMeAnythingProperty to ask your question or join us live on bit.ly/starpropertyfb.
Declutter your home and win 6 months of dimsum subscription
First virtual fair of StarProperty.my Awards Showcase 2018
See page 8 for more information.
Join StarProperty.my’s first virtual fair at fair.starproperty.my/ virtual/thecurve.
Latest happenings PR1MA Haven offers exclusive privileges and discounts PR1MA homeowners and registrants are now eligible for exclusive privileges and discounts from a wide range of participating merchants through PR1MA Haven rewards and recognition programme. The benefits of the scheme include discounts on household appliances, furniture, kitchen cabinet and wardrobe, electrical appliances, beauty and health, as well as hotel and travel packages. PR1MA Haven was recently launched by Minister in the PM’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim.
Explore new areas in real estate and its trends Themed “Real Estate Trends: 2018 & Beyond”, the 27th National Real Estate Convention (NREC) 2018 highlighted the perspective changes of real estate developments, providing participants with the outlook for the future. The presenters spoke on new areas of experience ranging from the economic performance, property transaction data to logistics, e-commerce, blockchain and disruptive changes in real estate. For more details, log on to bit. ly/nrec2018.
Setia Alam’s Starter Homes Series receives overwhelming response Setia Alam followed up its launch of Careya with its second product called Adina. More than 90% of the 117 units were taken up at the launch.
“The objective of the Starter Homes series is to give first-time buyers and those looking to upgrade the chance to own a freehold landed home in a thriving community,” said Bandar Setia Alam Sdn Bhd general manager Tan Siow Chung.
Kiara Sports Complex, in Kuala Lumpur and was attended by Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.
IOI Community mobile app to provide personalised service IOI Properties Group Bhd has created an online community engagement platform via its mobile app – IOI Community. “Our ultimate aim is to provide convenience, speedier and more personalised communication, and a service delivery platform that will meet the energetic lifestyle of the urban community,” said IOI Properties Group Bhd executive director Lee Yoke Har.
UEM Sunrise Bhd launches its first Rumawip project UEM Sunrise Bhd in collaboration with the Ministry of Federal Territories recently launched Kondominium Kiara Kasih, its first Rumah Wilayah Persekutuan (Rumawip). The launch was held at Dewan Juara, Bukit
IJM Land launches high-tech homes at Rimbun Ara scheme IJM Land launched Rimbun Ara, a low-density integrated development in Seremban 2 Heights recently. The development spans over 1,500 acres of prime freehold land and is developed with many technological perks to cater to the needs of tech-savvy homeowners. “As more smart homes come onto the scene, keeping up with the relevant technology is quite a meticulous task but a necessary one. We want Rimbun Ara to be a cutting-edge home that makes the owners feel connected to their surroundings,” said IJM Land senior central region GM Datuk Hoo Kim See.
Art fair and charity sale by Paramount Property and Nasom
To celebrate National Autism Week 2018, Paramount Property will be organising an art fair and charity sale. The event will be held on April 20 and 21 from 9.30am to 6pm at Utrospace@Utropolis Marketplace.
STARPROPERTY.MY
11 APRIL 2018
Compiled by Tharmini Kenas tharmini@thestar.com.my and Viktor Chong viktorchong@thestar.com.my
03
Ask Me Anything
What you should know when renting a home More questions and answers on the issues of tenancy
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Other than that, only the landlord has the right to pursue the eviction order.
sk Me Anything is a platform for readers to ask about all things property. If you have any inquiries, key in your questions at bit.ly/AskMeAnythingProperty . Messrs Eunice Tan & Partners founder Eunice Tan answers readers’ queries regarding issues concerning landlords and tenants.
Q1: What are the legal differences between renting alone and sharing the rent? A1: There is no difference if there is no tenancy agreement. If there is a tenancy agreement signed between the landlord and the tenant(s), the terms and conditions of the tenancy agreement will come into effect. If two tenants sign the tenancy agreement and share the rent, both tenants will be bound by the contract, provided the primary agreement allows sublet arrangements. If this is not the case, the tenancy agreement would not be legal in the first place. However, if only one tenant signs the agreement, only that party (main tenant) can sue or be sued by the landlord in the event of any breach of the terms
Q3. What are the differences between renting a landed property and a high-rise unit?
and conditions of the legal sub-tenancy agreement.
Q2: Can a group of renters who live in the same house evict you? Is it legal for them to do so? A2: Whether a group of renters who live in the same house with you can evict you or not depends on whether there is any contractual relationship between the related parties. If the original tenancy agreement spells out that it is legal to sublet to another tenant(s) and there is an agreement signed between the main tenant and the sub-tenant, then the tenant has the constitutional right to evict the sub-tenant.
A3: Legally speaking, there are not many differences between renting a landed property and a high-rise unit because they fall into the same category of tenancy, i.e. renting the property for less than three years. However, for a high-rise unit, the tenant shall be bound by the housing rules of the joint management body/management corporation or the residents association if it is a gated and guarded property. Other than the regulations for the gated and guarded community, there are no rules that govern tenants renting a landed property unit.
Q4. What kind of decoration and modification can you legally make to the rented property? A4: The tenant is entitled to put up simple decorations and make modifications that would not affect the structure of the
Join our first Ask Me Anything Facebook Live Session and ask your property questions directly to the property expert! Renting and Letting: What should you know about the law?
Scan here to join our FB live on April 18 (Wednesday) from 1pm.
building. However, the tenant should not make any significant changes or decorations. According to a standard clause in the tenancy agreement, the tenant shall return the property on an "as is, where is" basis for either a vacant possession or possession with the listed fittings and fixtures. If you rent commercial property for use, the tenancy agreement will be different and should include the renovation deposit and restoration deposit to restore the property to its original state.
Disclaimer: All data and information provided are for informational purposes only. All information is provided on an as-is basis. All users are strongly encouraged to seek professional advice before relying on any data or information provided.
Designing with a clear purpose
CaREA
By Aisyah Suwardi aisyahs@thestar.com.my
Architectural studies
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nfluenced by his great grandfather’s work as a house-builder, Ar. Ezumi Harzani’s interest in the art of designing started at a young age. Back then, he always admired his great grandfather’s handcrafted works. “My late father who was an art teacher at several private colleges was also one of my influencers as he often encouraged me to take art classes,” said Ezumi. After graduating from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Penang as an architect in 1994, Ezumi worked at the firm Asas Arkitek for three years. At the early stage of his career, Ezumi spent most of his time doing drawings. “Starting out, you will mostly do drawings. Then you will slowly expand to other areas such as dealing with consultants, contractors and the local authorities,” he said, adding that an architect’s skill in the drawing will provide a good foundation in understanding the principles of designing. With over 24 years’ experience as a practising architect, Ezumi is now a partner at Arkitek MAA Sdn Bhd. He explained that architects not only design buildings – they also design how
people move around. “With the master plan, we design where the occupants are supposed to stay, where they play, and more,” he said. Drawing attention to the Dayabumi Complex at Central Market, Ezumi said the building was designed in a way that it will self-clean when it rained. “Back then, the team did extensive research under a wind tunnel for several months to study the direction of the wind because they wanted to understand how this element could be used to self-clean the building.
“That is how architects work back then. They spent a huge amount of time researching their design to ensure that there is a purpose behind it,” said Ezumi. He claimed that although the designs of today are unique and artistic, there is little objective or usefulness behind them other than aesthetical reasons. “Architecture is different from art in that we need to have a clear sense of direction and function when designing a building – be it for maintenance, social impact, environmental impact and the like,” he said.
Ar. Ezumi Harzani of Arkitek MAA: Architects not only design buildings – they also design how people move around.
Scan to read more at http://bit.ly/2qlmjTR
An undergraduate architecture programme normally contains subjects that explore the theory/history of architecture, building technology, environmental science, design communications, and the various architectural styles. A major portion of the learning occurs in a studio setting where students produce their design and construct models. A fresh graduate with a first degree (LAM Part 1) may work as an architectural assistant in any architecture consultancy practice. After a minimum period of six months, candidates may continue their studies for LAM Part 2. After graduation, they may work in an architectural firm as an architect under the supervision of a registered architect.
Job prospects
• Architecture firm • Interior design firm (consultancy services) • Contractors (Sunway Constructions, Gamuda Bhd, etc) • Developers • Government (JKR, local authorities, KPKT) • Other related fields such as graphic design, photography, among others.
04 11 APRIL 2018
STARPROPERTY.MY
Advertorial
SHELTER THAT OFFERS PEACEFUL STATE OF MIND LBS crafts Zenopy Residences for owners to feel secure and at ease
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ET in the mature town of Seri Kembangan, Zenopy Residences is a mixed development crafted to incorporate urban tranquillity into the lifestyle of its occupants. Accordingly, this RM312mil project is equipped to provide a peaceful sheltered space through a unique gazebo canopy design that leans towards a zen-like theme. Thus the name Zenopy, coined from the words “zen” and “canopy”. Zen translates into a state of mind related to one’s well-being while canopy means shelter, hence an analogy of home. Zenopy Residences represents a perfect living space where residents will find balance, security and harmony. Those looking for a low-density development need look no further as Zenopy offers 398 serviced apartments in a single 32-storey block that stands on a 4.687-acre leasehold plot.
Prospective buyers can choose from four practical layouts: Type A (1,128sq ft), Type B (1,012sq ft), Type B1 (982sq ft) and Type C (823sq ft). The smallest unit configuration has two bedrooms and a bathroom while the largest holds three-plus-one bedrooms and two bathrooms. Homes featured within this property are available from RM413,100 each, after 10% bumiputra discount. In addition, all units will have sufficient parking space. Even the smallest unit, Type C, comes with two parking lots. Those who choose to call Zenopy Residences home will be greeted with a range of facilities that include a lap pool, wading pool, jacuzzi, floating gym, forest BBQ and badminton court. Zenopy Residences is located in an area that is served by an established road network and is just a few minutes from bustling urban centres such as Serdang
town, Bukit Jalil, Puchong, Subang Jaya, Cyberjaya and Putrajaya via the LDP and MEX highways. A short drive away is the Kuala Lumpur International Airport and upcoming shopping haven Bukit Jalil City Mall. Residents will enjoy easy access to public transport and seamless connectivity to other parts of the Klang Valley and Kuala Lumpur by way of the nearby upcoming MRT stations of Equine Park and Taman Putra Permai. For more information, go to www.lbs. com.my or call at 1700 81 8998.
Zenopy Residences is served by an established road network and located near bustling urban centres.
The mixed development has an array of basic facilities including some that stand out, for example a floating gym.
Above: Zenopy Residences has many areas on its facility deck incorporating canopies for a zen feel.
Scan for more information
Artist's impression of Zenopy Residences.
Zenopy Residences offers practical layouts that cater to the varied lifestyles of those who will call the property home.
Wednesday 11 April 2018
Starproperty.my
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STARPROPERTY.MY WEDNESDAY 11 APRIL 2018
cover story
By Ng Pau Ling pauline@thestar.com.my
catalysts to bridge the market imbalance Promoting rental market to address the affordable housing problem
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s Malaysia’s population continues to grow (32.3 million as at 2017), the demand for more residential housing will rise in tandem. With an average of four members per family, Malaysians need more than eight million homes. According to a recent report by the National Property Information Centre (Napic), there are only 5.398 million existing residential properties in the market as at Q3 of 2017 – which translates into a shortage of more than three million homes in the country. Despite the substantial demand for residential properties, the biggest challenges faced by prospective homebuyer include housing price beyond their means and the stringent loan approval process. According to Bank Negara’s Quarterly Bulletin Report (Q3 2017), houses in Malaysia remain seriously unaffordable in 2016 by international standards with a median multiple (MM) of 5.0. Under the MM approach, a house is considered affordable if it is less than three times the annual household income. The Household Income and Basic Amenities Survey conducted by the Department of Statistics puts the median monthly household income for Ma-
laysia in 2016 at RM5,228. The country’s average housing affordability is, therefore, tagged at RM188,208 (RM5,228 x 12 x 3) under the MM method. On the other hand, the average price of Malaysia’s property is RM397,190 at Q2 2017 as recorded by Napic. After years of trying to increase the supply of affordable housing in both public and private sectors, promoting a steady rental market has become the new approach to address the country’s housing affordability woes. Several schemes to spur the rental market have been rolled out over the past year, including the announcement of a 50% tax exemption for residential rental income below RM2,000, the launch of Maybank’s HouzKEY rent-toown (RTO) scheme, and the proposed Residential Rental Act. The granting of tax exemptions on housing rental was recently re-emphasised on the Barisan National (BN) election manifesto 2018, showing the attention given to encourage a reasonable property ecosystem.
Tax incentive for rental income Under Budget 2018, the Government proposed a 50% tax exemption on rental income received by resident individuals not exceeding RM2,000 per month per residential home.
The exemption is effective from 2018 to 2020 under certain conditions, including the residential home being rented under a legal tenancy agreement between the owner (landlord) and the tenant. The CBRE|WTW 2018 Asia-Pacific Real Estate Market Outlook Malaysia report stated that the tax exemption is expected to create a more robust rental market because those with the financial resources will be induced to invest in lower to mid-priced properties for rental purpose. If a landlord rents out five residential properties at RM1,999 each, he or she will qualify for 50% income tax exemption on all the five houses, said Asia Business Centre head of tax and financial consulting Datuk Chua Tia Guan. Although the system is initiated to boost residential rental investment, the computation of the tax has yet to be gazetted. “One possible way of computation is that 50% of the net rental income is tax exempted,” said Chua. The net rental income is derived from the gross rental income after deduction of allowable expenses such as loan interest, repair and maintenance, service charge, quit rent and assessment. Chua added that given the current sluggish rental market, the availability of tax incentive appears to benefit the tenants as it provides an opportunity to bargain and encourage reasonable charges.
A step onto the property ladder Given the current challenges on home ownership, the RTO scheme offers an alternative solution by providing potential homebuyers with an option “to rent a property with the intention to own it in the future”. Launched in November last year, Maybank’s HouzKEY is Malaysia’s first RTO scheme based on the concept of “leasing a property with an option to purchase it after renting for 12 months”. HouzKEY applicants are required to pay upfront three-month rental as a refundable deposit, and the property is locked in at a fixed rental price for the first five years. During the leasing period, “tenants” can migrate to Maybank mortgage after one year of renting or they can continue renting with a 2% step-up on the sixth year until their tenure ends. Currently, 28 residential projects are taking part in HouzKEY with monthly rentals starting from RM1,842. “The RTO scheme helps lessen the burden of the customer because there is no down payment and sufficient time is given to plan for finance,” said Ayer Holdings Bhd group chief executive officer Eugene Khoo, one of the participating developers of HouzKEY. He added that buyers could live at their preferred locations with minimal
COVER STORY 07 STARPROPERTY.MY WEDNESDAY 11 APRIL 2018
upfront cost as well as enjoy the upside if the property price increases – or choose to walk away if the price drops in the future. Although the scheme is said to ease the homeownership challenges in Malaysia, most of the participating HouzKEY developments are middle to high-end properties with market prices above the “affordable range” as defined by the international median multiple method. Also joining the RTO scheme is S P Setia Bhd. Its executive vice-president Datuk Tan Hon Lim explains that there is an underlying demand for middle to high-end properties because these homes fit the important criteria of accessibility, availability of amenities and recreational facilities, as well as easy commuting to the workplace. “The RTO scheme presents this segment of the society with a solution to the current challenge of home ownership in the local market. “Although the concept is relatively new in Malaysia, the HouzKEY RTO scheme will be well received by those looking to get a home of their own in the coming years,” said Tan. To encourage more banks and housing developers to offer RTO schemes, BN has also pledged in its manifesto to provide tax incentives or development funds to participating parties.
Residential Renting Act Meanwhile, based on the Real Estate and Housing Development Association (Rehda) Property Industry Survey for the second half of 2017 and Market Outlook 2018, only 16% of properties sold in the primary market during 2H 2017
are for investment. Bank Negara’s Q4 2017 Quarterly Bulletin Report has also stated that Malaysia’s rental market is relatively small, with only 24% of households renting a property compared to Canada (31%), Australia (33%) and New Zealand (36%). Tax incentives, rental rebates and innovative renting methods will encourage an active rental market and lower the vacancy rate. However, a specific Residential Renting Act and Tenancy Tribunal must be in place to safeguard the rights of both tenants and landlords. Formulating this Residential Renting Act is also one of the five policy options proposed by Bank Negara to reduce the imbalance in the local property market. The provisions on tenancies in existing laws include the National Land Code 1965, Contracts Act 1950, Specific Relief Act 1950, Civil Law Act 1956, Distress Act 1951 and the Common Law/ Case Law, which has not been established to deal with issues of renting and letting specifically. “Without a specific renting act, if any dispute between landlord and tenant cannot be resolved, the claimant party may refer to the courts for a decision. This may be costly and time consuming,” said Messrs Amir Toh Francis & Partners legal practitioner Ivan Chan. He pointed out that the renting regulations made sure both parties fulfil their responsibilities while restricting them from abusing their positions. If the government’s new policies are to encourage a healthy and robust housing rental market, the rights and duties of the landlords and the tenants will need a more vigorous and in-depth debate and analysis.
S P Setia Bhd executive VP Datuk Tan Hon Lim
Ayer Holdings Bhd group chief executive officer Eugene Khoo
Tech Realtors Properties Sdn Bhd senior real estate negotiator and team manager Ching Meng Yip (Jake Ching)
Asia Business Centre head of tax and financial consulting Datuk Chua Tia Guan
Messrs Amir Toh Francis and Partners legal practitioner Ivan Chan
Sheakay Real Estate senior negotiator Seann Leng Yoong Kee
Landlords Gain from vibrant rental market
Abundance of unsold houses has led to short-term renting
By Tharmini Kenas tharmini@thestar.com.my
WHILE there seems to be a paradox in the market of a property glut and some prospective homebuyers still on the lookout, one thing is certain – opportunities abound in the rental market. According to Tech Realtors Properties Sdn Bhd senior real estate negotiator and team manager Ching Meng Yip, “Malaysians are opting to rent since the loan approval process has become more stringent. Many people are holding back their decision to buy a property.” However, the abundance of unsold houses has led to a brimming rental market in Malaysia, making it tougher for landlords to stand out in the crowd with their housing offerings. Ching said that subletting has become a favoured option among landlords who target bachelors as their tenants. Some landlords opt for home-sharing services, venturing into the business of short-term renting to get a higher rental return. Sheakay Real Estate senior negotiator Seann Leng Yoong Kee also said that the home-sharing industry is booming in Malaysia due to the thriving tourism sector. He said the influx of foreign workers and students have resulted in the rise of short-term rentals in the city centre and expatriates are a good target because they provide good returns.
Finding the right rental property In the recent StarProperty.my Buyers’ Sentiment Survey 2017, investors looking for houses with high capital appreciation point to location as the top factor for investment purposes. Ching said that smart investors would choose the ideal location to fulfil the requirements of their tenants. Location in itself is an aspect that plays a crucial part in attracting a certain type of tenant. “For instance, if the rental unit is near any office tower or public transportation, the tenants are bound to be single professionals or foreign workers,” said Ching. Meanwhile, websites such as Propwall.my and iBilik.my as well as other social media platforms have become more popular to prospective tenants in search of the right property. The ease of connecting tenants and landlords has paved a brighter future for the rental market.
08 11 APRIL 2018
Home&Living
s
earching for your personal belongings in a cluttered home can be a stressful affair. Nobody enjoys playing treasure hunt every day. From a feng shui point of view, too much clutter creates negative energy that will harm your health and vitality. The obvious solution is to declutter your home. But decluttering is never easy because people are often fettered by their hoarding instincts. They avoid throwing away common items such as newspapers, bills, magazines, clothing and even foodstuff – shoving them into a drawer or closet. Hoarders must be made to understand that their habit could lead to other problems in their lives. For instance, clutter reduces the amount of available space in a home. It also attracts pests. From a financial perspective, hoarders tend to splurge by purchasing things they don’t need. It is especially apparent during a sale or promotional event. As the saying goes: When you buy the things you don’t need, very soon you will be selling the things you need. The first step of decluttering starts with the mind. Dig deep into your inner self and allow rationality to surface. Ponder over these three questions as you prepare yourself for the long road ahead.
Q1: Do I have something similar? Enough is enough Most Malaysians seem to think that ‘more is better than less’ in our lives. But more isn’t always better, especially when you are spending time looking for a particular item in a sea of clutter. Ask yourself: Can
STARPROPERTY.MY By Ng Pau Ling pauline@thestar.com.my
Declutter your home – for health
Free up your living area and destress with these practical tips that item be substituted with something else among your possessions? If the substitute is almost identical to what you need, don’t go for the extras.
Q2: Do I need it? Follow your rational mind People are often confused by what they “need” and what they “want”. Human desire is limitless, and we must accept that our wants are secondary compared to our needs. Do not be emotionally attached to belongings that are unimportant to you. Leave space in your heart for those items that you truly need and love.
Q3: Do I use it regularly? Borrowing is the word of the day We need tools and hardware for a handyman’s project. If the project is one-off, don’t buy the equipment. It is best to borrow or rent from someone else. Sharing is caring. Throughout the decluttering process, you should ask yourself repeatedly these three essential questions. It is highly unlikely that the hoarding monster inside you will rear its ugly head again.
The journey of letting go Start small if you are unsure how to proceed. Always begin with the places that are relatively easy to deal with, such as your closet and bookshelf. You can turn your cleaning process into a routine by allocating 10 to 15 minutes a day to tidy up a corner. Clutter control is also associated with your purchasing habits. For your daily necessities, choose from an array of durable and high-quality items. Merchandise with a short life span will start piling up as you will need to buy further replacements quickly. When it comes to fashion shopping, always be clear about the most vibrant part of your style. Blindly follow the fashion trend and you will rack up a huge bill, besides the number of unnecessary items and clothing you will have on your pile. Keep in touch with your altruistic side by donating clothes that you can no longer wear.
One year to rule them all Can’t decide on what to throw? Simple, place all the items into a dedicated box and set it aside for a year.
10-15 mins You can turn your cleaning process into a routine by allocating around 10 to 15 minutes a day to tidy up a corner.
If the items in the box remain untouched for 365 days, then it is safe to assume that you don’t need them as much as you think you do. It is time to remove them from your life or space, whichever sounds better. After the decluttering process, set aside a place for every belonging. It is also important to develop a good habit of putting back the items that you have used. The change in mindset should help introduce some semblance of a system into your life. Done? Then it is time to sit back and enjoy the beautiful view of your home. It is truly calming and rejuvenating to live clutter-free.
6 months of Win dimsum subscription! What are the three essential questions in the decluttering journey? Answer this question at
http://bit.ly/SPdeclutter-2018 to join the contest. Scan to win