Written Answer by Ministry of National Development on HDB dwellers who cause disamenities to neighbours
Feb 6, 2017
Mr Yee Chia Hsing: To ask the Minister for National Development what are the measures available against HDB dwellers (such as hoarders and cat hoarders) who cause great disamenities to their neighbours and do not open their premises for authorised inspection by HDB officers.
Answer:
When HDB receives feedback on hoarding in HDB flats, HDB will carry out an inspection. If excessive hoarding is found, the residents will be advised to remove the unwanted items, and reminded to keep their flat tidy. Most residents are generally cooperative.
In hoarding cases where there may be regulatory breaches, HDB will work with the relevant agencies such as the Singapore Civil Defence Force (for fire hazards) and NEA (for vectors). In cases of compulsive hoarding, which could be an indication of an underlying behavioural issue and would require professional help, HDB also works with health and social work professionals to provide counselling and appropriate assistance to the hoarder. HDB also ropes in the grassroots leaders and the hoarder's family in an effort to reduce disamenities.
As for feedback received on the keeping of cats, HDB will work with the flat owners and Animal Welfare Groups such as the Cat Welfare Society to re-home the cats. Recalcitrant owners, including owners who refuse to open up their premise for inspection by HDB officers, may be brought to court where they can be fined up to $4,000 upon conviction.
In cases where there is reasonable cause to believe that the welfare of the cats is compromised, AVA has powers to enter the premises to investigate. The owners, if convicted in court for the offence of failure in duty of care, may be liable to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or both.