After searching for several interior designers for decades, Mr. Ho and Ms. Melissa Tan decided to go with the best one for their new residence.
They claimed Proper Casual Practice was a unique design company they had when they signed a deal in October 2022.
However, almost two years later, Mr. Ho and Ms. Tan are still unable to re-locate their residence. Shortly after the signing of the agreement, issues started: the company took measurements incorrectly, and the project’s designer abruptly left.
Before Aden Amos Seow, the company’s chairman, took over in September of last year, the task then went through the hands of two more developers.
But months passed and their house was still lacked preparation. The couple contacted the Consumer Association of Singapore ( CASE ) for assistance in mid-January, but they were both bothered by the delays and the constant requesting updates. Because Mr. Seow did n’t respond to any of its emails or calls, the consumer watchdog informed them that there was little it could do.
That was also when Mr Seow “ghosted” the pair. For nearly two months, Mr. Seow has n’t responded in WhatsApp pictures.
” We are both outstationed most of the time … that’s why we chose to pay a premium for ( an interior designer )”, said Mr Ho. ” In the end, it felt like a problem”.
A court order totaling almost S$ 75, 000 ( US$ 56, 000 ) was issued to the couple after they decided to sue the company to recover their money.
CNA also spoke with various home owners who had to make partial or near-full obligations to Formal Informal Practice despite disruptions and finished homes. The next home owner did not document a claim with the court because his request for a refund exceeds the state control of S$ 30,000, but two of them received directions from the Small Claims Courts for payments of around S$ 7,500 and S$ 20, 000.
Fang Wenkai, a second home owner who received a Little Claims Tribunal attempt, is asking for his S$ 8,424 again after the home owner’s firm provided insufficient designs and raised the price by S$ 18 000.
CNA has seen and verified the directions.
Proper Informal Practice, according to those interviewed, did not follow the orders, adding that Mr. Seow did not appear at any of the hearings or consultations before the tribunal.
” If you ca n’t enforce the order, what you’re left with is a piece of paper that you can frame up in your home as memorabilia”, said Mr Fang.
The company has been the subject of numerous information, according to the police, and investigations are ongoing.  ,