Flyer feud at Toa Payoh Ridge BTO: Renovation contractors accused of vandalising rivals' ads

Renovation contractors at the new Toa Payoh Ridge Build-To Order (BTO) project have been accused of vandalising rivals' flyers, with some advertisements found torn, slashed, or re-pasted in multiple locations.

According to Shin Min Daily News, flyers were found plastered on lifts, unit doors, and even inside units - including areas not designated for such posters.

Flyers put up in non-designated areas

Mr Seah, a soon-to-be resident, told Shin Min that renovation contractors had recently been putting up flyers all over the block.

These were pasted in places such as outside lifts, on electrical room doors, unit doors, and even inside bomb shelters within the units.

Some flyers appeared to have been deliberately slashed, with scratch marks visible on several unit doors where the advertisements had been pasted.

A Shin Min reporter encountered a curtain contractor putting up flyers, who declined to be named. The contractor said it was not uncommon to hear of flyers being damaged or moved.

He recalled receiving a call from a homeowner after someone pasted his flyer inside their unit.

About two months ago, he also faced a similar situation when a homeowner confronted him after seeing his phone number on a flyer, questioning whether he would knowingly break the law.

He suspected someone had intentionally framed him and urged fellow contractors to maintain healthy competition instead of resorting to such tactics.

Sometimes, right after I put the flyers up, they're gone by the afternoon. Some people deliberately tear them down and paste them elsewhere," he said.

He added that some flyers had slash marks, and even interior walls of the lifts and certain wall surfaces were scratched.

Two renovation companies appear to be 'targeting each other'

From one of the damaged flyers, Shin Min contacted a contractor who specialises in metal rack installations.

The contractor, who wished to be known only as Mr Li, said he believed competitors had damaged the flyers out of jealousy.

"The flyers were put up by my workers. We don't know what happened after they were moved and re-pasted," he said.

A resident, who wished to be identified as Ms Yang, said she had never witnessed such incidents during previous renovation periods. However, she recently noticed some flyers that appeared to be deliberately damaged.

"It seems like two renovation companies are targeting each other. Only their flyers appear to be damaged," said the 37-year-old.

She added that residents will be living in the estate long term and do not want disputes between contractors to affect the community.

Vandalism reported to police by Town Council

According to residents, someone was suspected of using a sharp object to scrape off flyers inside the lifts.

The Bishan-Toa Payoh town council has reported the matter to the police and released CCTV footage warning against damaging public property.

Photos provided by residents showed the slashed and re-pasted flyers appeared to belong to the contractor specialising in metal rack installations.

One image even showed a flyer with the words "scam" and "liar" written on it.

A notice posted inside the lifts stated that the town council had received residents' feedback about the vandalism and had referred the case to the police.

The notice included CCTV images showing a man dressed in black allegedly removing and re-pasting flyers inside a lift on Aug 27 at around 5pm.

The town council told Shin Min it takes vandalism very seriously and is assisting police with investigations.