An enraged netizen has taken to social media to voice out her unhappiness with Housing Development Board (HDB) and Ministry of National Development (MND) about ceiling leakage issues.
In her seemingly long rant, she mentions that HDB has been delaying and pushing the issue around back and forth with the Town Council and MND for many years but nothing is done till date.
Be prepared to take a few minutes to read her rant below.
Here is her post
“DISGUSTED WITH HDB AND MND FOR NOT ADDRESSING CEILING LEAKAGE FOR YEARS
The ceiling leakage arises from the upper unit renovation in 2017. Through the years, there were leakage and we had to continually hack the ceiling, paint, and repainting yearly. The last painting was before the Chinese New Year 2021. The leakage got worst in 2019 and 2020. Prior to the HDB HIP renovation in May 2021, there already 2 rounds of flood test which failed.
There was flood test by the HIP team at the upper unit in Apr 2021. It failed the flood test, and the upstairs unit refused to respond to HIP team on option to re the waterproof. HIP team proceeded with our HIP renovation in May 2021. On 1 July 2021, HDB proceeded with RED DYE FLOOD TEST OF THE UPPER UNIT without our approval. When HIP team took evidence of the leakage on 9 Jul 2021, HDB replied on 13 July that they are discussing with the upper unit on resolution. HDB visited my unit on 22 July but refused to comment on the leakage saying that they need to see the upper unit. It is puzzling that the leakage is to my unit, yet their professional engineer cannot comment on the bad state of leakage. The upper unit gave excuses of non-availability. On the day of visit to my unit on 22 July, the HDB staff also met this upstairs neighbor at the lift though he claimed non availability. Throughout we noted that he is available, as we could see his car around, working from home and also met him at the lift. We have made numerous calls and written series and series of letters to MP, CEO/HDB, MINISTER MND, MINISTER STATE MND, MND QMS and PMO with no response. All apparently referred to the same branch office.
HDB has been delaying seeing the unit upstairs since the 2nd flood test on 1 July 2021. HDB Informed checking on 13 July, delayed to 22 July to first week of August and now claimed end Aug. Call to MND and HDB Mr Leow Beng Kiat, director (upgrading construction management) daily for past few weeks with phone messages but were not responded to.
All the units within the same column have opted into HIP with the exception of this upper unit. Their structure separating the 2 toilets were hacked. Their flooring is so thin that we would be woken up in middle of night when he pees (sound of bottle of water pouring onto the toilet bowl.) This upstairs unit stomped in the middle of the night and bathed at odd hours from 11:30 pm through to 5.30am. Under HIP requirement, isn’t the upper unit required to opt in and address the problem of their poor water proofing when all their so-called infusion have failed repeatedly so many times.
Please see photos of the stain. It is heart breaking that the leakage appeared within just few days of our newly HIP renovated, hacking and replacement of ceiling and layering of tiles. We felt bullied and angry without any recourse to address the issue. We seek help and advice from the community!
Our questions to HDB:
1) Can residents refuse to deal with HIP contractor when the flood test failed, insisting dealing only with HDB which has been accommodating to this unit and not addressing the issue?
2) When can HDB address the leakage? Can’t HDB give them a legal letter to view the upstairs unit after repeated months of claim of unavailability to HDB.
3) We had paid 50% with upstairs unit in 2015 for re waterproofing. This upstairs unit hacked off the flooring again in 2017 in renovation resulting in the leakage. Are we, the lower unit to be penalized on their decision not to opt into HIP and has to pay yet again 50% for any re waterproofing should leakage recur in a year or two when their methods were not sustainable and failed to address the leakage?
Appreciate any help and advice from the community.”
Image source: Complaint Singapore Facebook