'Garbage house': Balam Road flat packed with clutter, but still home to 2 tenants

An HDB flat along Balam Road has been dubbed a "garbage house" after complaints that it is crammed with clutter both inside and outside the unit.

Despite that, the female owner has managed to rent the unit out to two tenants, Shin Min Daily News reported.

'Garbage house'

A resident who only wanted to be known as Ms Li told Shin Min that she initially thought the "sour odour" in the area came from a decomposing animal.

However, the 33-year-old later realised that the smell was coming from a first-floor unit and that it had worsened significantly over the past three months.

On top of looking like a "garbage house", it smelled of "dead rats, which became increasingly unbearable," said Ms Li, who moved into Block 19 three years ago.

"We tried not to pass by the unit when we went out."

Cardboard boxes and assorted items seen piled almost to ceiling

Reporters who visited the block noted a faint stench that grew stronger as they neared the flat.

Outside, numerous items such as personal mobility devices, chairs and shelves lined the common walkway.

The door to the unit was left open, with dusty blinds partially drawn. Through the windows, stacks of cardboard boxes and assorted items were seen piled almost to the ceiling.

Been going on for more than 10 years

A neighbour, Mr Lin, 68, said the problem has persisted for more than 10 years, noting that the owner seldom interacts with neighbours.

"The unit is rented out to at least two people, and when the wind blows, the smell is terrible," he said.

He added that he suffers from gout and is concerned about the safety risks posed by the cluttered unit.

"I have limited mobility. What if there's a fire? There are a lot of elderly people living here too. It's really dangerous," said Mr Lin.

Another resident on the same floor, Mr Xing, 74, said the flat's front door is often open, revealing a house crammed with belongings. He added that he has seen tenants entering and leaving through the back door.

"There is only one way to get around," he said.

Owner suffers from autoimmune disease

The owner, identified as Fei Li Na (transliterated), told Shin Min that she had moved from a larger home in Changi Village a few years ago and had struggled to clear items due to an autoimmune disease.

The 55-year-old explained that downsizing inevitably meant squeezing more items into a limited space, but maintained that she does not hoard.

She added that she simply needed more time to "sort them out".

"My belongings do not block the passageways and do not pose a fire hazard," she said.

Fei Li Na also mentioned that HDB had previously sent people to help clear some clutter, allowing her to rent out one bedroom to two tenants for income, as she is unemployed.

"There's a passageway from the front door to the back door, so they can come in and out without any problems," she said.

Situation has improved: Town Council

In response to queries from Shin Min, the Marine Parade-Braddell Heights Town Council said that it was aware of the flat's clutter and had engaged with the residents to reduce the number of items in common areas.

The town council noted that situation had improved after intervention and added that it will continue regular inspections to ensure common areas remain safe and accessible.