Punggol BTO residents also complain of mouldy facade; HDB says all new flats get 2 coats of algae-resistant paint

SINGAPORE — Residents at another recently-completed Build-To-Order (BTO) project in Sumang Lane at Punggol West are complaining about mouldy facades, following a similar report of mould in BTO project Anchorvale Parkview in Sengkang.

Several residents in affected blocks in Sumang Lane told TODAY on Wednesday (Jan 11) that they are worried about mould on the Housing and Development Board (HDB) blocks, although one noted they lived near a large forest which could contribute to the problem.

The affected blocks in Sumang Lane are part of a BTO project called Matilda Court.

In response to queries from TODAY, the HDB said on Wednesday that it was aware of mould forming at the two BTO projects and is "looking into the matter" with the relevant town councils.

On Monday, a Facebook user by the name of James Ng posted photos of Block 233 Sumang Lane in a Facebook group called "complaint Singapore", showing mould growing on the exterior of the flats.

He said in his post that the flat is only six-years old, questioning what went wrong in the paint used by the HDB contractors.

Following similar complaints posted by fellow netizens on his post, Ms Sun Xueling, Member of Parliament (MP) for Punggol West Single Member Constituency, commented that the tender of Matilda Court estate’s repair and redecoration works will be happening this year, and that it had already been included in the workplan.

A visit to the area by TODAY on Wednesday confirmed the presence of mould on the exterior of Blocks 233C, 234A, and 234B Sumang Lane.

Last week, a Facebook user Jane Wendy who posted photos of Anchorvale Parkview’s housing blocks showing their mouldy outer facade walls said in her post that despite being only five years old, the block which she lives in, looks “worse than a 30-year-old building”.

She also said that her son was having “eyes allergies” and “nose issues”.

Two days after that post, Sengkang Town Council replied to TODAY's queries saying that the area is scheduled to undergo repair and redecoration works this final year, and that the council is looking to expedite the process.

The Workers' Party-led town council also said then that the call for tender for the repair and redecoration works at the neighbouring Anchorvale Cove cluster was closed on Dec 31, 2022 and a similar preparation for Anchorvale Parkview is ongoing.

RESIDENTS OF PUNGGOL WEST BTO FLATS WORRY MOULD INDICATES POOR WORKMANSHIP

TODAY spoke to four residents of the affected blocks at Sumang Lane, all of whom were concerned about the formation of mould on the exterior of their flats.

Resident Ms Kanmani Panneeirchelvam, who has been living at the flat for almost five years, said: “This mouldy thing has been appearing from the third year of us staying here. I don’t think it’s a good sight for our environment.”

The 43-year-old customer service officer also said that she was concerned whether the mould indicated poor quality of workmanship of the flat.

“Some parts of our house like the doors (that came with the flat) and the toilets, the quality is not very good. The door is made of wood so it rots very fast and the toilets choke up often,” said Ms Panneeirchelvam.

She added that she had not experienced problems of mouldy flats previously when she lived in older estates in Ang Mo Kio for about three years, and in Tampines.

Both Ms Panneeirchelvam and her husband, Mr Sathiyanathan Segeran, a 45-year-old Grab driver, said that they hoped the relevant authorities can conduct maintenance work to remove the mould.

“We hope that after the feedback, our MP will respond to it and something is done since the public is noticing it. Our MP (Ms Sun Xueling) is very prompt in her response and we are actually quite impressed by her. I’m sure she will do something,” said Ms Panneeirchelvam.

Resident Ms Noor Zilah, also said she is concerned about the “unsightly” mouldy exterior and the quality of the flats.

The 41-year-old administrative assistant who has been residing in the flat for five years said: “I was one of the first few occupants of this BTO estate, and it’s only been five years but it’s already like this.

The mould makes me worried about the quality of this building.”

“I hope whoever we voted for, they have to at least make checks or maintenance work on the flats,” said Ms Noor.

More at https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/second-bto-group-complain-mould-hdb-details-steps-prevent-2086726

Mould-stained Sengkang flats: Plans ahead for estate to undergo repair works, town council says

SINGAPORE — In response to a recent and widely circulated online complaint about the mouldy state of Anchorvale Parkview's housing blocks, Sengkang Town Council said that the Housing and Development Board (HDB) estate is scheduled to undergo repair and redecoration works this coming financial year.

The town council, which is run by the Workers' Party and looks after estate management matters there, told TODAY on Friday (Jan 6) that the call for tender for the repair and redecoration works at the neighbouring Anchorvale Cove cluster was closed on Dec 31, 2022 and a similar preparation for Anchorvale Parkview is ongoing.

"We are working to see if the process can be expedited,” it added.

The state of the outer facade of Anchorvale Parkview's housing blocks was made known on Facebook on Wednesday.

A resident, who goes by the name “Jane Wendy” on Facebook, described how the block where she lives that is about five years old looked worse than a 30-year-old building.

In her message accompanying some photos showing the state of the buildings, she said that her son continued to have “eyes allergies” and “nose issues” on top of having asthma and chronic hives, despite her efforts to dehumidify her home.

She said that there is no mould inside the flat.

The town council told her to wait for two more years until the housing blocks are given a fresh coat of paint, she added.

TODAY has reached out to the resident for more comments.

On visiting the estate on Friday, TODAY saw mould on the exterior walls of the housing blocks there.

The town council offered an explanation: This may have been a result of paint oxidation emerging from the humid conditions of the estate’s surroundings.

It said that it takes into consideration the feedback provided by the residents and “endeavours to improve on the quality of paint used at the next repair and redecoration of the estate”.

More at https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/mould-sengkang-flats-anchorvale-parkview-estate-repair-town-council-2085916

Mouldy 就 mouldy, 没有办法的 :(

SG's own Amber Court coming soon

Dear Wendy Jane, you.....

It has been assessed that the mould does not affect the overall structural integrity of said block. Let's move on.

Give it another 2 years, I am confident it will end up resembling a Jackson Pollock masterpiece, like this baby here:

Slumkang is trying its hardest to outdo Yislum, add oil!

Jamus Lim and gang sleeping on the job?

Holy crap this looks really bad.......