The cost incurred by the Singapore Land Authority for the improvement and maintenance works for 26 Ridout Road was to ensure the property was habitable, said Second Minister for Law Edwin Tong in his ministerial statement on Monday .
For 26 Ridout Road, which is rented by Shanmugam, SLA had engaged a consultant with experience in dealing with heritage properties to survey the property to determine the necessary works to be done. SLA also did the usual sprucing-up works prior to the commencement of a tenancy, which included painting, pest control and removal of mould for 26 Ridout Road.For 31 Ridout Road, the work included general repairs to the staircase, or perimeter of the house, fixing windows, painting and pest control .Aside from SLA's maintenance works, Minister Shanmugam also offered to and invested in "substantial improvement works" to the property, said Tong.