By Sonam Sawlani
EchoSonam@gmail.com
Laundry drying stands, plastic tubs, pails, potted plants, shoe racks, and bicycles – a display of these items along common corridors in HDB blocks is definitely not an unusual or uncommon sight.
Many of us do not realise that corridor is a form of common property which is meant to be shared with our neighbours. Besides, a form of danger lies when we pile up too many things, in a haphazard manner. The items pose a fire hazard and make the passageway too narrow for residents to use efficiently in the case of a fire or any other emergencies.
Moreover these innocent items placed along our corridors could actually be forms of killer litter items. Some of these include potted plants, clothes racks and birdcages.
Under HDB’s Terms of Lease, flat owners cannot undertake any act within the flat or common areas that is illegal or immoral, or which causes disturbance to his or her neighbours; And the most common source of misunderstandings between neighbours is evidently the misuse of shared space like the common corridor.
Laundry drying stands, plastic tubs, pails, potted plants, shoe racks, and bicycles are some common items found along hdb corridors
“My neighbour has a laundry drying stand outside her flat which blocks more than 70 per cent of my walking space. At the lift area, there are even more laundry stands which belong to the same household. Does the town council perform any kind of regular checks and advise the residents accordingly? My neighbour is of a different ethnic group and I am afraid that if I were to complain, it would result in a sensitive situation,” said 43 year-old housewife, Mdm Noorhayati Rahman, a resident of Pasir Ris.
Another resident of Bedok has this to say: “It is against the rule of HDB to put things at common corridor but I suppose Town Council does not bother to take action against residents who do so.
“A neighbour of mine has an entire display of plants, floor mats, shoes, laundry, just right in front of my house. I assume Town Council did not take any action as I’ve already lodged a few complaints about the matter,” added the 33 year-old civil servant who declined to be named.
On the contrary, a spokesperson from the Pasir Ris – Punggol Town Council said that residents who fail to comply with a written notice from the HDB to remove objects that have been placed in a harmful or dangerous manner may be fined up to $2,000. “The HDB can also compulsorily acquire the Home Ownership flat or terminate the tenancy of the rental flat,” he added.
While most residents seem to have extended their private spaces from within their homes to the common corridor areas, there are not many that can beat this overly cluttered one in Punggol, which has an amazing amount of junk – massive flower pots, bicycles, cupboards and shoe racks.
The HDB can also compulsorily acquire the Home Ownership flat or terminate the tenancy of the rental flat if items are placed in an obstructing manner
The resident of this household, 46 year-old housewife, who wants to be known only as Mdm Suriati, said: “I don’t see how my items in the corridor area are affecting my neighbours. They have never said anything to me before. Besides, this area is so quiet that hardly anyone walks around here since this it's a corner unit.”
Although the Town Council is in charge of the management and maintenance of common areas outside the flat like corridors and lifts, residents have to do their part and maintain the cleanliness, tidiness and safety of these spaces.
These innocent items placed along our corridors could actually be forms of killer litter items
Meanwhile, having worked as a cleaner for more than four years in Pasir Ris, Mr Boon Teow shared that he has experienced countless inconsiderate actions from the residents – including those who leave their unwanted items at staircase landings and corridors, which acts as a hindrance when it comes to escaping in times of emergencies. He said free bulky removal services have been made available and can be arranged for with the Town Council.
EchoSonam@gmail.com
Laundry drying stands, plastic tubs, pails, potted plants, shoe racks, and bicycles – a display of these items along common corridors in HDB blocks is definitely not an unusual or uncommon sight.
Many of us do not realise that corridor is a form of common property which is meant to be shared with our neighbours. Besides, a form of danger lies when we pile up too many things, in a haphazard manner. The items pose a fire hazard and make the passageway too narrow for residents to use efficiently in the case of a fire or any other emergencies.
Moreover these innocent items placed along our corridors could actually be forms of killer litter items. Some of these include potted plants, clothes racks and birdcages.
Under HDB’s Terms of Lease, flat owners cannot undertake any act within the flat or common areas that is illegal or immoral, or which causes disturbance to his or her neighbours; And the most common source of misunderstandings between neighbours is evidently the misuse of shared space like the common corridor.
Laundry drying stands, plastic tubs, pails, potted plants, shoe racks, and bicycles are some common items found along hdb corridors“My neighbour has a laundry drying stand outside her flat which blocks more than 70 per cent of my walking space. At the lift area, there are even more laundry stands which belong to the same household. Does the town council perform any kind of regular checks and advise the residents accordingly? My neighbour is of a different ethnic group and I am afraid that if I were to complain, it would result in a sensitive situation,” said 43 year-old housewife, Mdm Noorhayati Rahman, a resident of Pasir Ris.
Another resident of Bedok has this to say: “It is against the rule of HDB to put things at common corridor but I suppose Town Council does not bother to take action against residents who do so.
“A neighbour of mine has an entire display of plants, floor mats, shoes, laundry, just right in front of my house. I assume Town Council did not take any action as I’ve already lodged a few complaints about the matter,” added the 33 year-old civil servant who declined to be named.
On the contrary, a spokesperson from the Pasir Ris – Punggol Town Council said that residents who fail to comply with a written notice from the HDB to remove objects that have been placed in a harmful or dangerous manner may be fined up to $2,000. “The HDB can also compulsorily acquire the Home Ownership flat or terminate the tenancy of the rental flat,” he added.
While most residents seem to have extended their private spaces from within their homes to the common corridor areas, there are not many that can beat this overly cluttered one in Punggol, which has an amazing amount of junk – massive flower pots, bicycles, cupboards and shoe racks.
The HDB can also compulsorily acquire the Home Ownership flat or terminate the tenancy of the rental flat if items are placed in an obstructing mannerThe resident of this household, 46 year-old housewife, who wants to be known only as Mdm Suriati, said: “I don’t see how my items in the corridor area are affecting my neighbours. They have never said anything to me before. Besides, this area is so quiet that hardly anyone walks around here since this it's a corner unit.”
Although the Town Council is in charge of the management and maintenance of common areas outside the flat like corridors and lifts, residents have to do their part and maintain the cleanliness, tidiness and safety of these spaces.
These innocent items placed along our corridors could actually be forms of killer litter itemsMeanwhile, having worked as a cleaner for more than four years in Pasir Ris, Mr Boon Teow shared that he has experienced countless inconsiderate actions from the residents – including those who leave their unwanted items at staircase landings and corridors, which acts as a hindrance when it comes to escaping in times of emergencies. He said free bulky removal services have been made available and can be arranged for with the Town Council.
Unknown Said,
That still nothing u go visit blk 8 teck whye ave 09-87 make temple disturb neigbour and come alot tattoo stranger ppl and ther second place 116#05-750same teck whye challeage neigbour put cctv and refect direct shoot neigbour house maybe they r gangster neigbour maybe scare till now few yr no complaint but ur tik overboard big bully yet hdb do nothing
Posted on August 23, 2014 at 3:35 PM
Unknown Said,
But one think is the white colour hell god i see other temple all drink hot tea china white wine or box matell whole night drink but this one drink soft drink plu ice
Posted on August 23, 2014 at 4:47 PM