| DESPITE the Wongs' assertions, HDB paints a significantly different picture of the situation. According to its spokesman, HDB will exercise its right to compulsorily acquire a flat only 'as a last resort' (that is, if the flat owners ignore repeated reminders and house visits). In this case, HDB said it 'had no alternative but to proceed with compulsory acquisition'. However, HDB insists that it did not evict the siblings and that the Wongs had the option to find other means to make their payments. The spokesman said: 'The siblings could still have approached HDB to work out a suitable payment plan. However, they began shifting out of their flat to the void deck despite our advice that HDB had not evicted them.' As for the fees deducted from the Wongs' compensation money, HDB said the siblings were in arrears since 2000 and despite reminders by the Hougang Branch Office, they did not make payment. 'As a result, the mortgage instalment arrears started to accumulate and late payment charges were imposed accordingly,' the spokesman said. 'The late payment charges would be applicable whether the flat was returned to HDB or if the siblings continued to own it. Hence, there is no grounds for waiver.' As for the other administrative fees, HDB said it does not profit from the charges. The HDB spokesman said: 'As the administrative charges and registration fee are costs incurred by HDB in enforcing payments arising from the mortgagors' default, HDB can recover both amounts from the compensation payable for the flat.' The spokesman said HDB had waived the registration fee for the siblings out of goodwill. But they had to pay the administrative fee as the siblings received 'substantial cash proceeds' from the forced sale. | 
