Everything also blame HDB

[Ysc3]

HDB’s slow service highlighted by homeowner in complaint about leaking bathroom pipe

Ms Mingli said that she waited more than 80 hours with no calls or follow up emails from HDB after her complaint

Singapore – A homeowner took to social media to expound on the difficulties faced in getting the Housing & Development Board (HDB) to address a pipe leakage problem. Members of the public noted that shouldering repair costs was a more feasible option.

On Tuesday (Nov 10) Facebook user Josephine Lam Mingli uploaded her first post at Complaint Singapore‘s page. The complaint consisted of her personal experience in dealing with HDB and the slow response in addressing housing problems.

Ms Mingli went into great detail illustrating her experience which began with a leaking bathroom pipe in their flat located at Punggol Town. As Ms Mingli explained, they have been residents in the area since 2010 and have not stumbled upon issues until last Friday (Nov 6) when she spotted water dripping from the master bedroom bathroom.

“Immediately, I called up my town council to seek for their assistance, but upon my verbal description, the officer has responded that I should report my problem to HDB instead,” said Ms Mingli. She then made a call to HDB and was informed that respective personnel would get back to her.

“After waiting patiently for almost two hours, nobody has come for help nor contacted me on any follow-up,” said Ms Mingli. “I’m getting more worried as the condition is turning from bad to worst.(sic)” She called HDB once more and sought immediate attention to her problem. A few hours passed and an HDB personnel whom Ms Mingli called “J” responded to her complaint and offered assistance.

However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Ms J was working from home and couldn’t address the issue personally. Instead, she requested for photos and videos of the leak. Ms Mingli received confirmation that HDB was looking into the matter.

“I was so naïve to trust their words and thought help would come soon since I got their acknowledgement,” wrote Ms Mingli. “However, more than 80 hours of waiting has passed, and no calls nor follow-up emails has been received.” According to her post, the leak began running like tap water “and pails of water were collected.”

Ms Mingli called HDB once more on Monday (Nov 9) and was told an officer would get back to her as soon as possible. “I have requested to speak to their property manager or higher level in-charge, but their customer executive has rejected and claims that they can’t do anything.

After a second opinion from a friend who specializes in maintenance, Ms Mingli highlighted that it was likely a sewage pipe that was leaking. “I was shocked to know and feel sick as the water my family and I have been clearing over the past four days are all waste toilet water.”

Ms Mingli called HDB and informed them she would be coming over but was informed that due to the pandemic, visits without an appointment were prohibited. Furthermore, the staff were unable to set a meeting on behalf of the branch office. After suggesting handling the problem personally, Ms Mingli was told she would be held fully responsible for damages caused by a third-party contractor.

“After hearing that, I almost faint. Where are their standards? Residents like me suffering, and instead of giving me a helping hand, they ask me to take responsibility and using their regulation on me,” said Ms Mingli. After a few more calls to HDB, she was allowed to get the leak fixed by a certified plumber given she would have to shoulder the costs. In her post, Ms Mingli expounded further on her disappointments with the standards and wondered where else she could go to for assistance.

Members from the online community shared similar experiences and confirmed the problem had to be dealt with personally. “You have to help yourself. Get a sealant and seal off the leakage temporarily,” advised Facebook user Lim Eng Boon.

Meanwhile, Facebook user Ahmad Syah posted a screenshot from the HDB website explaining who was responsible for home maintenance repairs depending on the problem. “You need to maintain the sanitary branch pipes in your flats. The town council is responsible for the maintenance of the main sanitary pipes,” read the HDB advisory on pipes.

[Silverkris]

You can't blame her.

A lot of people in the new generation do not know how to do simple repairs in the house because they got their parents taking care of everything for them.

I have heard many times that people moving into new flats encountering a choke toilet bowl (and most likely from their reno contractors) calling HDB / Town Council up stating that the new flat toilet bowl is defective and demanded a change!

For this case, most likely she doesn't even know what to do except knowing she bought the flat from HDB, so HDB must help solve her issues as long she stays there.

 

[inlinesix]

3 minutes ago, Silverkris said:

You can't blame her.

A lot of people in the new generation do not know how to do simple repairs in the house because they got their parents taking care of everything for them.

I have heard many times that people moving into new flats encountering a choke toilet bowl (and most likely from their reno contractors) calling HDB / Town Council up stating that the new flat toilet bowl is defective and demanded a change!

For this case, most likely she doesn't even know what to do except knowing she bought the flat from HDB, so HDB must help solve her issues as long she stays there.

1st week after i receive my home key, i walk into a flooded empty flat with running water.

Apparently, there was an open tap in the bathroom. 

The moment PUB install meter, the moment water started flowing out of that tap.

Went over to HDB office and tell them to sort this shit out (Including "zeroing" water meter)

[ToyotaShuttle]

18 minutes ago, inlinesix said:

1st week after i receive my home key, i walk into a flooded empty flat with running water.

Apparently, there was an open tap in the bathroom. 

The moment PUB install meter, the moment water started flowing out of that tap.

Went over to HDB office and tell them to sort this shit out (Including "zeroing" water meter)

new flat?

did hdb zero the meter? that belongs to pub right?

[inlinesix]

Just now, ToyotaShuttle said:

new flat?

did hdb zero the meter? that belongs to pub right?

New flat.

HDB asked PUB to come and read meter.

1 water bill started from that reading.

[13177]

Cannot expect much service from HDB/town council. Have to ownself resolve problem first. Worst case get a plumber.

[ToyotaShuttle]

5 minutes ago, inlinesix said:

New flat.

HDB asked PUB to come and read meter.

1 water bill started from that reading.

yikes. anything in the flat damaged?

[ToyotaShuttle]

3 minutes ago, 13177 said:

Cannot expect much service from HDB/town council. Have to ownself resolve problem first. Worst case get a plumber.

why cannot? as the landlord, HDB must take responsibility according to the tenancy agreement

[Showster]

Weekend mah...

Usually has to be three working days minimum.

[Mustank]

I thought this type town council people will give their list of plumber electricians etc

evwry town council got this list one

jusy call them come and do. But have to pay one. Not free. But sure won’t kena overcharged one. Becuase this one is Ah gong list one

that list also got rough price one

Edited November 12, 2020 by Mustank

[Volvobrick]

17 minutes ago, 13177 said:

Cannot expect much service from HDB/town council. Have to ownself resolve problem first. Worst case get a plumber.

They get the Town Council they elected.  Not happy, change the next time!

But on a serious note, kids including boys are learning home econ in secondary schools, unlike some (distant) years back when the boys learned some basic technical skills like making a scraper from mild steel.  MOE should relook into this, at lease teach the kids how to wire up a 3 pin plug, reset the ELCB, clear chokes, and safely change a bulb!

[RogerNg_185295]

Its just like how some people here, can turn a harmless topic,  politicise it , and blame the government. Not right to do so.

[inlinesix]

28 minutes ago, ToyotaShuttle said:

yikes. anything in the flat damaged?

Nothing damaged.  Need someone (i.e. HDB Contractor) to clear water out of halls and kitchen.

[noobcarbuyer]

27 minutes ago, Volvobrick said:

They get the Town Council they elected.  Not happy, change the next time!

But on a serious note, kids including boys are learning home econ in secondary schools, unlike some (distant) years back when the boys learned some basic technical skills like making a scraper from mild steel.  MOE should relook into this, at lease teach the kids how to wire up a 3 pin plug, reset the ELCB, clear chokes, and safely change a bulb!

Ironically with all the DIY and Self-Fix-It videos on you tube, it should be so much easier to do all the above!

Not even talking about the technical stuff I had to learn when young (from my dad) like solder wires, fix leaky sink pipes, change taps, change T5 tubes, change faulty wall switch / socket. And for that era those were pretty basic stuff.

If a guy can't even change a bulb or reset the DB box now days, how to maintain a house?

[Ysc3]

1 hour ago, inlinesix said:

1st week after i receive my home key, i walk into a flooded empty flat with running water.

Apparently, there was an open tap in the bathroom. 

The moment PUB install meter, the moment water started flowing out of that tap.

Went over to HDB office and tell them to sort this shit out (Including "zeroing" water meter)

财源滚滚！！

[Ysc3]

1 hour ago, Mustank said:

I thought this type town council people will give their list of plumber electricians etc

evwry town council got this list one

jusy call them come and do. But have to pay one. Not free. But sure won’t kena overcharged one. Becuase this one is Ah gong list one

that list also got rough price one

I am guessing she is single and living alone and does not have internet access.

BTW,  the service providers listed by hdb can do only very limited services.  Better just find outside repairman straight away . I call before. 

[Ysc3]

1 hour ago, ToyotaShuttle said:

why cannot? as the landlord, HDB must take responsibility according to the tenancy agreement

I think she stay there 10years already... 

[Philipkee]

1 hour ago, Silverkris said:

You can't blame her.

A lot of people in the new generation do not know how to do simple repairs in the house because they got their parents taking care of everything for them.

I think that's not the point.  The point is that if anything went wrong during the repairs, she would be fully liable for the damages.  And dont  forget, things have to be approved by HDB as well.  It's not like if we DIY, everything is ok cos this is dealing with water pipes.

If I were to DIY, maybe I can fix it but if end up pipe still leak (maybe my material is not that good, my workmanship is not that good, or maybe even other parts fail which has nothing to do with my repairs but along the same pipe) in the future, all responsibility is now mine.  I will have to think carefully even if I know how to DIY.  Because I might repair ok, but another part of the pipe might not be ok and if it leaked years later and I complain to HDB, they will say it's my fault cos my previous DIY repair caused it.

And saying it's my fault is small thing.  Later any future damage along that pipe is rightly nor wrongly blamed on my DIY and all repair bills come to me.  Not sure if that's a legitimate fear.

After suggesting handling the problem personally, Ms Mingli was told she would be held fully responsible for damages caused by a third-party contractor.

1 hour ago, ToyotaShuttle said:

why cannot? as the landlord, HDB must take responsibility according to the tenancy agreement

True.  

Edited November 12, 2020 by Philipkee