Yishun resident uses lift landing as 'private storage area' and even secures items with padlock
A resident has turned the staircase landing on the 12th floor of Block 739 Yishun Avenue 5 into his personal storage place, lamented a neighbour.
Photos submitted by Stomper Jo show bulky items such as a step ladder, a foldable trolley and a large chest occupying the space – some of which have even been chained and locked together.
Jo told Stomp on Oct 6: "Facts:
"The public space has become one's private storage area since June 2024.
"The belongings are chained together and secured with a padlock.
"It is unknown if any flammable construction liquid is stored in the metal coffin-sized chest.
"In the past week, a stray cat has inhabited it as a living area.
"Nee Soon Town Council was notified in September but there was no improvement, even when everyone on the same floor knows exactly whose belongings these are."
Jo also emphasised the "potential danger of allowing clutter to accumulate" and expressed dismay at how the situation has persisted.
In response to a Stomp query on Oct 7, Nee Soon Town Council said it is aware of the issue after receiving feedback on Sept 30.
A spokeswoman added: "Our town council personnel conducted a site visit upon receiving the feedback to identify the owner of items. We also issued a notice of removal on the same day.
"The town council will monitor this situation closely and take the necessary actions to address this issue."
"We will continue our efforts to educate and guide residents to place as few items as possible in communal corridors in the interest of safety and to minimise disamenities."
Gym equipment mounted on wall of Punggol staircase landing even after removal deadline
Public nuisance or public service?
Someone had installed gym equipment on the 25th-floor staircase landing of Block 423A Northshore Crescent in Punggol.
According to Stomper Ben, the equipment was there "for a long time, about more than six months".
He shared photos showing the equipment mounted on the wall and a notice put up by Pasir Ris - Punggol Town Council about the issue.
The notice, dated Sept 2, appealed for residents to be gracious and keep the estate safe for everyone. It said that an inspection on Aug 27 found an "unauthorised item" installed on "common property" without a valid permit.
The notice added: "We seek your cooperation to remove all the items at the staircase landing of Staircase 3A-1, by Monday, 16 September 2024, failing which, we will remove them without further notice."
However, Ben told Stomp on Sept 20 and 24 that the equipment was still there.
He said: "The town council has been aware since Sept 2, but no action has been taken. What's the delay?
"Such items should be removed and a fine should be enforced if there is no valid permit or permission, because this is public property."
Pasir Ris - Punggol Town Council did not respond to Stomp's queries on Sept 24, but Ben said the equipment was removed shortly after.
'Huge' toy Mercedes car blocks common corridor in Toa Payoh
Clutter of all kinds in the common area is a persistent issue in Housing Board estates.
For Stomper PW, who lives in Toa Payoh, the object of her ire is a toy car.
And it's not just any toy car.
It's a big, black toy Mercedes-Benz G-Class sports utility vehicle, also known as the G-Wagon.
"For months, I have been sending e-mails and calling to Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council, regarding the huge toy car barring the walkway," said the Stomper, who shared photos of the miniature vehicle dominating the already cluttered common corridor on the ground floor.
"The last call to the officer overseeing the estate resulted in a reply to this effect: 'We are very busy and have other issues to address. If the resident refuses to comply, there is nothing we can do.'
"I am curious as well as annoyed. Isn’t maintaining a clean and hazard-free environment part of the job scope?
"This resident is constantly playing a cat-and-mouse game and it appears the town council is unable to put a stop to this inconsiderate and unsafe behaviour!"
Stomp has contacted Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council for more info.
Update: The Stomper said she approached her MP and within a week, the toy car was removed.
"The last call to the officer overseeing the estate resulted in a reply to this effect: 'We are very busy and have other issues to address. If the resident refuses to comply, there is nothing we can do.'
That fucking inept officer should have her pussy flogged senseless till she regains her senses
Fire safety violations found along Serangoon HDB corridor with ‘sauna’ cabin; SCDF to take action
SINGAPORE - The storage of items along the corridor of a Serangoon Housing Board flat, where a “sauna” cabin was recently removed, resulted in fire safety infringements, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said.
It added that it will be taking enforcement action against whoever is responsible for the obstruction.
Pictures of the cabin went viral online earlier, with some netizens asking whether the placement of such a wooden structure outside HDB flats was allowed.
The cabin was subsequently removed on July 11, after its owner requested help from the Marine Parade Town Council to do so.
An SCDF spokeswoman said in response to The Straits Times’ queries that it had conducted an inspection at Block 427 Serangoon Central on July 11 after receiving public feedback.
“During the inspection, the sauna-like structure was found to have been removed,” she added.
“However, several other fire safety infringements were detected, including the storage of items along the common corridor, which resulted in obstruction to means of escape via the staircases.”
ST visited the location on July 11 and saw cabinets, bicycles and more than 40 potted plants near where the cabin was located.
Two men in SCDF uniforms were also seen there with measuring tapes.
Neighbours whom ST interviewed for an earlier story said that while the cabin did not obstruct their path, it could be hard to walk along the corridor near where it stood, especially if they were carrying groceries.
The town council told ST on July 16 that it had worked closely with the home owner over the past few days to “significantly” reduce the clutter, and had cleared the corridor.
Earlier, it said it had worked with the owner to declutter the area for years.
“We remain committed to further tidying the common areas to ensure they remain unobstructed,” said the town council.
Anyone responsible for fire safety infringements will be issued with a Fire Hazard Abatement Notice, which is a written warning to rectify the fire hazards, said the SCDF spokesperson.
Those responsible for serious infringements may be fined up to $5,000, after removing the fire hazard.
Those who fail to remove the fire hazard may be fined up to $10,000, jailed for up to six months, or both.
A cluttered common area can hamper firefighting efforts and the evacuation of residents, said the spokesperson.
“Residents are strongly encouraged to do their part to maintain a safe living environment by ensuring that their means of escape are unobstructed and that common areas at their premises are kept clutter-free.”
The SCDF gave these fire safety tips:
• Do not discard or place items in common areas such as lift lobbies and staircases.
• Ensure a minimum clear escape passage of 1.2m along the common corridor.
• Approach the town council to arrange for the removal of bulky items.
‘Sauna’ cabin outside HDB flat a hot topic online; authorities trying to get owner to remove it
SINGAPORE - The authorities are trying to get a home owner in Serangoon to declutter the space outside her Housing Board unit, which includes removing a wooden “sauna” cabin that has been there for years.
The cabin has been a hot topic among netizens after a photo of it was circulated online recently, sparking questions about whether such items were allowed in common spaces of HDB blocks.
The Straits Times understands that the cabin belongs to the unit directly across the corridor from it, but no one answered the door when ST visited the flat in the evening of July 10.
Placed on top of a platform, the cabin seemed wide enough to fit up to two adults, and appeared to be no longer in use. Online searches on the name that appears on the control panel on the outside of the cabin shows a brand of sauna products.
There were also more than 40 potted plants surrounding the flat and lining the corridor nearby, along with other items such as cabinets, bicycles and a sofa. Red strips of paper with Chinese words on them were put up on the wall outside the unit.
The distance between the wall and a cabinet placed along the corridor was about 1m.
In response to ST’s queries, the Marine Parade Town Council said it has advised the owner to reduce the clutter outside her unit over the years, and that the owner has “made some effort in doing so”, without elaborating on the details.
“We are in the midst of engaging and working with the owner to remove the (sauna) fixture and further reduce the clutter,” said the town council. “We are monitoring the situation closely.”
The town council also urged residents to avoid installing unauthorised structures in common areas, reduce clutter, and to not obstruct corridors, staircases, and its landings.
Neighbours on the same floor declined to be interviewed when approached by ST, but a 20-year-old resident had earlier told Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao that other residents have complained to the authorities about the clutter, but the situation has not changed much.
In response to ST’s queries, the Marine Parade Town Council said it has advised the owner to reduce the clutter outside her unit over the years, and that the owner has “made some effort in doing so”, without elaborating on the details.
In other words, the MPTC had closed one eye to the owner's brazen flouting of rules and did nothing at all, all along. Hence it refusing further comment when quizzed.
Sauna outside flat in Serangoon Central removed by town council staff
SINGAPORE: Marine Parade Town Council staff on Thursday (Jul 11) afternoon removed a sauna outside a Housing Board flat in Serangoon Central.
Photos of the wooden structure – placed on a platform outside the owner's house – went viral after they were uploaded on social media platform Reddit earlier this week.
When CNA visited on Thursday morning the sauna was still present but appeared to have had some features removed.
A few potted plants placed outside the wooden cabin, and a short flight of steps leading to the raised metal platform had been removed.
The wooden structure was visible from the lift landing. It appeared to be in disuse and was not connected to an electricity source.
The cabin contained a wooden bench, a gauge and a small teddy bear hanging from a wooden beam. A disconnected cable was suspended from the ceiling. Various other paraphernalia that were within the sauna previously had been removed.
A panel with dials and switches for the sauna was on the exterior beside the cabin's door.
Numerous potted plants were placed outside the unit, including in a row in the corridor under the owner's windows. A sofa and a wooden bench flanked the entrance to the unit.
The owner, identified by neighbours as a woman in her 50s or 60s, did not respond to knocks on her door.
When CNA visited at about 2.40pm on Thursday, the wooden cabin had already been dismantled and moved to the ground floor by town council staff.
At least two staff members were seen loading parts of the sauna onto a cart, which then hauled them away within minutes. Staff declined to respond to questions when approached.
At the floor where the sauna once stood, potted plants and a wooden cabinet were left untouched. The stuffed bear which had been in the sauna was seen lying on the doormat of the owner's flat.
In response to queries from CNA, Marine Parade Town Council said on Thursday that the sauna had been removed at the request of the owner.
"The owner has approached us yesterday to arrange for the removal of the sauna fixture, and with our assistance, the fixture was removed from the common area earlier today," the town council said.
It said that it "has been engaging the owner to reduce the clutter outside her unit over the years, and the owner has made some effort in doing so".
"The owner has made another appointment with the town council to further declutter the area. We will work closely with her to do so," it added.
The town council also urged residents not to install unauthorised structures in common areas or obstruct corridors or staircases and their landings, and to reduce clutter. This will help to create a safer and more comfortable living environment, it said.
Neighbours who declined to be identified said that the sauna was not an inconvenience.
A neighbour, who gave his name as Mr Lim, said that the structure had been present for a "long time", but did not pose a problem as he took another lift to access his unit.
While the sauna was not an issue to him, he complained about the plants along the corridor as the leaves would blow over to his side.
Another neighbour said that the sauna had already been present when he moved in a few years ago. He added that he had only seen the owner fewer than a handful of times.
Other neighbours said they seldom see the owner, but that she would greet them and appeared "pleasant".
Drawn by the news, other passers-by came and went throughout the day wanting to see the sauna for themselves.
After the sauna was removed, two Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) officers arrived outside the flat and were seen taking measurements of the corridor's width and photos of the area. They declined to speak to the media.
Yishun resident uses lift landing as 'private storage area' and even secures items with padlock
A resident has turned the staircase landing on the 12th floor of Block 739 Yishun Avenue 5 into his personal storage place, lamented a neighbour.
Photos submitted by Stomper Jo show bulky items such as a step ladder, a foldable trolley and a large chest occupying the space – some of which have even been chained and locked together.
Jo told Stomp on Oct 6: "Facts:
"The public space has become one's private storage area since June 2024.
"The belongings are chained together and secured with a padlock.
"It is unknown if any flammable construction liquid is stored in the metal coffin-sized chest.
"In the past week, a stray cat has inhabited it as a living area.
"Nee Soon Town Council was notified in September but there was no improvement, even when everyone on the same floor knows exactly whose belongings these are."
Jo also emphasised the "potential danger of allowing clutter to accumulate" and expressed dismay at how the situation has persisted.
In response to a Stomp query on Oct 7, Nee Soon Town Council said it is aware of the issue after receiving feedback on Sept 30.
A spokeswoman added: "Our town council personnel conducted a site visit upon receiving the feedback to identify the owner of items. We also issued a notice of removal on the same day.
"The town council will monitor this situation closely and take the necessary actions to address this issue."
"We will continue our efforts to educate and guide residents to place as few items as possible in communal corridors in the interest of safety and to minimise disamenities."
https://stomp.straitstimes.com/singapore-seen/yishun-resident-uses-lift-landing-as-private-storage-area-and-even-secures-items-with
Gym equipment mounted on wall of Punggol staircase landing even after removal deadline
Public nuisance or public service?
Someone had installed gym equipment on the 25th-floor staircase landing of Block 423A Northshore Crescent in Punggol.
According to Stomper Ben, the equipment was there "for a long time, about more than six months".
He shared photos showing the equipment mounted on the wall and a notice put up by Pasir Ris - Punggol Town Council about the issue.
The notice, dated Sept 2, appealed for residents to be gracious and keep the estate safe for everyone. It said that an inspection on Aug 27 found an "unauthorised item" installed on "common property" without a valid permit.
The notice added: "We seek your cooperation to remove all the items at the staircase landing of Staircase 3A-1, by Monday, 16 September 2024, failing which, we will remove them without further notice."
However, Ben told Stomp on Sept 20 and 24 that the equipment was still there.
He said: "The town council has been aware since Sept 2, but no action has been taken. What's the delay?
"Such items should be removed and a fine should be enforced if there is no valid permit or permission, because this is public property."
Pasir Ris - Punggol Town Council did not respond to Stomp's queries on Sept 24, but Ben said the equipment was removed shortly after.
https://stomp.straitstimes.com/singapore-seen/gym-equipment-mounted-on-wall-of-punggol-staircase-landing-even-after-removal
'Huge' toy Mercedes car blocks common corridor in Toa Payoh
Clutter of all kinds in the common area is a persistent issue in Housing Board estates.
For Stomper PW, who lives in Toa Payoh, the object of her ire is a toy car.
And it's not just any toy car.
It's a big, black toy Mercedes-Benz G-Class sports utility vehicle, also known as the G-Wagon.
"For months, I have been sending e-mails and calling to Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council, regarding the huge toy car barring the walkway," said the Stomper, who shared photos of the miniature vehicle dominating the already cluttered common corridor on the ground floor.
"The last call to the officer overseeing the estate resulted in a reply to this effect: 'We are very busy and have other issues to address. If the resident refuses to comply, there is nothing we can do.'
"I am curious as well as annoyed. Isn’t maintaining a clean and hazard-free environment part of the job scope?
"This resident is constantly playing a cat-and-mouse game and it appears the town council is unable to put a stop to this inconsiderate and unsafe behaviour!"
Stomp has contacted Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council for more info.
Update: The Stomper said she approached her MP and within a week, the toy car was removed.
https://stomp.straitstimes.com/singapore-seen/huge-toy-mercedes-car-blocks-common-corridor-in-toa-payoh
Another week, another brouhaha - this time at a Kallang Bahru block where more than 60 deity statues are seen cluttering the common corridor:
https://www.8world.com/singapore/statues-of-gods-fill-the-corridors-of-hdb-flats-2523856
Fire safety violations found along Serangoon HDB corridor with ‘sauna’ cabin; SCDF to take action
SINGAPORE - The storage of items along the corridor of a Serangoon Housing Board flat, where a “sauna” cabin was recently removed, resulted in fire safety infringements, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said.
It added that it will be taking enforcement action against whoever is responsible for the obstruction.
Pictures of the cabin went viral online earlier, with some netizens asking whether the placement of such a wooden structure outside HDB flats was allowed.
The cabin was subsequently removed on July 11, after its owner requested help from the Marine Parade Town Council to do so.
An SCDF spokeswoman said in response to The Straits Times’ queries that it had conducted an inspection at Block 427 Serangoon Central on July 11 after receiving public feedback.
“During the inspection, the sauna-like structure was found to have been removed,” she added.
“However, several other fire safety infringements were detected, including the storage of items along the common corridor, which resulted in obstruction to means of escape via the staircases.”
ST visited the location on July 11 and saw cabinets, bicycles and more than 40 potted plants near where the cabin was located.
Two men in SCDF uniforms were also seen there with measuring tapes.
Neighbours whom ST interviewed for an earlier story said that while the cabin did not obstruct their path, it could be hard to walk along the corridor near where it stood, especially if they were carrying groceries.
The town council told ST on July 16 that it had worked closely with the home owner over the past few days to “significantly” reduce the clutter, and had cleared the corridor.
Earlier, it said it had worked with the owner to declutter the area for years.
“We remain committed to further tidying the common areas to ensure they remain unobstructed,” said the town council.
Anyone responsible for fire safety infringements will be issued with a Fire Hazard Abatement Notice, which is a written warning to rectify the fire hazards, said the SCDF spokesperson.
Those responsible for serious infringements may be fined up to $5,000, after removing the fire hazard.
Those who fail to remove the fire hazard may be fined up to $10,000, jailed for up to six months, or both.
A cluttered common area can hamper firefighting efforts and the evacuation of residents, said the spokesperson.
“Residents are strongly encouraged to do their part to maintain a safe living environment by ensuring that their means of escape are unobstructed and that common areas at their premises are kept clutter-free.”
The SCDF gave these fire safety tips:
• Do not discard or place items in common areas such as lift lobbies and staircases.
• Ensure a minimum clear escape passage of 1.2m along the common corridor.
• Approach the town council to arrange for the removal of bulky items.
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/community/fire-safety-infringements-found-in-serangoon-hdb-corridor-with-sauna-cabin-scdf-to-take-action
‘Sauna’ cabin outside HDB flat a hot topic online; authorities trying to get owner to remove it
SINGAPORE - The authorities are trying to get a home owner in Serangoon to declutter the space outside her Housing Board unit, which includes removing a wooden “sauna” cabin that has been there for years.
The cabin has been a hot topic among netizens after a photo of it was circulated online recently, sparking questions about whether such items were allowed in common spaces of HDB blocks.
The Straits Times understands that the cabin belongs to the unit directly across the corridor from it, but no one answered the door when ST visited the flat in the evening of July 10.
Placed on top of a platform, the cabin seemed wide enough to fit up to two adults, and appeared to be no longer in use. Online searches on the name that appears on the control panel on the outside of the cabin shows a brand of sauna products.
There were also more than 40 potted plants surrounding the flat and lining the corridor nearby, along with other items such as cabinets, bicycles and a sofa. Red strips of paper with Chinese words on them were put up on the wall outside the unit.
The distance between the wall and a cabinet placed along the corridor was about 1m.
In response to ST’s queries, the Marine Parade Town Council said it has advised the owner to reduce the clutter outside her unit over the years, and that the owner has “made some effort in doing so”, without elaborating on the details.
“We are in the midst of engaging and working with the owner to remove the (sauna) fixture and further reduce the clutter,” said the town council. “We are monitoring the situation closely.”
The town council also urged residents to avoid installing unauthorised structures in common areas, reduce clutter, and to not obstruct corridors, staircases, and its landings.
Neighbours on the same floor declined to be interviewed when approached by ST, but a 20-year-old resident had earlier told Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao that other residents have complained to the authorities about the clutter, but the situation has not changed much.
In 2019, a flat owner in Tampines who converted the doorstep of his property into a fish tank for his koi carp dismantled the tank, after his appeal to keep it was rejected.
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/sauna-cabin-outside-hdb-flat-a-hot-topic-online-authorities-trying-to-get-owner-to-remove-it
Ground floor unit siboh?
Definitely illegal, someone should notify HDB pronto
Talk about being really creative lol
😲😲😲