Bedok South hoarder sleeps at void deck as flat fills up

Pests and stench are the norm for the neighbours of a hoarder in Bedok South.

According to the residents, Mr Lim has lived in the flat for more than 10 years. As he started hoarding, his flat filled up and the clutter spilt into the corridor.

One of his neighbours, an elderly man in a wheelchair, had trouble navigating the corridor as Mr Lim's clutter obstructed the path.

"The elderly man was a tenant, so he got his landlord to report the hoarding to the authorities," a neighbour told Shin Min Daily News.

"However, the elderly man died before anything was done."

During the pandemic, the authorities visited Mr Lim's flat several times and helped him clear some of the clutter. But he would pick up the items that were removed from his flat.

Another neighbour recounted: "There was a water leakage in his flat but the worker could not enter the flat to repair it. Items were moved around just to make enough room for one person to pass through."

Neighbours also said the hoarding attracted pests and cockroaches could be seen scurrying each time the clutter was moved.

Ms Zheng, a 60-year-old living in the unit above Mr Lim's, said she kept her windows closed as she could detect a foul smell.

According to another neighbour, 69-year-old Lin, Mr Lim often slept at the void deck.

Charity organisation SG Helping Hands posted on Facebook that it would be helping Mr Lim clear his flat.

"We are collaborating with MND, HDB and the Town Council to engage Mr Lim and get his approval for a decluttering team to clear his home in a day. The team successfully gained Mr Lim's trust to go ahead with the clean-up."