Measures against Hoarders who Cause Disamenities to Neighbours

Mr Yee Chia Hsing asked the Minister for National Development what measures are 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.

When the Housing and Development Board (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 the National Environment Agency, 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 rehome the cats. Recalcitrant owners, including owners who refuse to open up their premises for inspection by HDB officers, may be taken 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, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (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.