A flat at Balam Road has been called a “garbage house” after being filled with clutter inside and outside, leaving only a narrow walkway indoors. Despite this, the female owner has managed to rent the place to two tenants.
Ms Lee, 33, an admin staff, told Shin Min Daily News that the unit at Block 19 Balam Road had become a “garbage house.” She said that when she moved there three years ago, she noticed a foul stench. At first, she thought it was from a dead animal nearby, but later realised it came from the ground floor unit. The smell has worsened in the past three months.
“It is like the smell of a dead rat. We try to avoid passing by the unit because it has become unbearable,” she said.
When reporters visited recently, a sour smell lingered in the corridor, and the stench grew stronger near the unit. Outside, various items such as mobility devices, chairs and cabinets were stacked along the corridor. The main door was left open, with half-shut dusty blinds. From the window, boxes and clutter could be seen piled almost to the ceiling.
Mr Lim, 68, a neighbour living next door, said the problem had persisted for more than 10 years. He added that the owner rarely interacted with neighbours and had rented the place to at least two tenants.
“When the wind blows, the smell is terrible. I suffer from gout, and I worry about the safety risks of such a place,” he said.
“I have mobility issues. If a fire breaks out, how will I escape? Many elderly people also live here, it is really dangerous.”
Another neighbour, Mr Xing, 74, said he occasionally greeted the female owner and had seen tenants entering through the back door.
“She usually does not close her door. In the daytime, we can see inside, and it is full of stuff with only one narrow path to walk through. Even the tenants have to use the back door to enter and exit.”
Owner: Downsized from bigger house to a smaller flat
The owner, Ms Felina, 55, explained that she moved from Changi Village to the three-room flat some years ago. Downsizing from a bigger house to a smaller one made her belongings appear excessive, but she denied hoarding.
“My things do not block any passageway and will not cause a fire hazard,” she insisted.
She said the Housing Development Board had previously sent workers to help clear some items. Today, she rents out one bedroom to two tenants, which provides some income as she is currently unemployed.
“There is a walkway from the front door to the back door. My tenants’ movements are not affected,” she said.
Felina also revealed that she suffers from an autoimmune disease, which slows down her cleaning and organising efforts.
“I did not pick up cardboard or junk from outside. It is just that I have too many belongings at home and need more time to sort them out,” she added.
Town council: Situation has improved since intervention
The Marine Parade–Braddell Heights Town Council confirmed it is aware of the clutter issue and has engaged the resident to reduce the number of items placed in common areas.
The council said the resident has made some improvements since the intervention, and it will continue to carry out regular checks to ensure that public spaces remain safe and clear.
As for neighbours’ claims that the owner keeps multiple cats, the council said no cats had been seen roaming in common areas. However, the case has been referred to the relevant agencies for follow-up on possible hoarding and pet issues. The situation will continue to be closely monitored.
