A homeowner who made headlines last month, after finding hundreds of mould spots all over the walls of her new BTO at Tampines Greenridge less than a month after she got the keys, is back in the news after she was hit with a hefty S$600 water bill despite shifting out during renovations.
In April, Facebook user Newme Joyce posted several photos of her walls being covered in repulsive mould spots on social media.
Responding to Joyce’s viral Facebook post, the Housing Development Board (HDB) said that “the mould was likely caused by the wall coming into excessive contact with water during the washing of the flat. If the windows are kept closed before the floor and wall can dry properly, the damp condition could promote the growth of mould.”
Revealing that it has investigated the issue and will work with the resident to resolve the issue, HDB promised that it will “arrange for the building contractor to replace the affected dry walls on a goodwill basis,” if necessary.
Joyce – a single mother of two – shifted out of the home to facilitate renovation works and is purportedly living elsewhere while the renovations are ongoing, according to her friend, Facebook user Jolin Lau. Jolin added that the renovations are only halfway done and that Joyce and her children have yet to shift back into the BTO flat.
In a Facebook post published on behalf of Joyce, Jolin revealed that Joyce recently received a call from SP Group informing her that her water bill has shot up to over SGD $600.
Sharing that Joyce was shocked by the bill since she has not shifted to the BTO given that the renovations are still ongoing, Jolin said that Joyce contacted HDB for help but HDB notified her that there is no water leak.
Joyce tried to explain her situation to SP Group and even enlisted her Member of Parliament to help her waive the bill, but these attempts were purportedly rejected by SP Group. Jolin asked: “SP is asking her to pay! So who can she look for? GOVT??
“Buying a New BTO isn’t cheap. Why give her so many problem? She needs to provide her 2 kids maintenance, why asking this amount from her which she didn’t use it? She needs the money more than you!”
The Independent has contacted SP Group for comment and will update this story once we receive a response.
Read Jolin’s post here:
Posting on behalf……Single mum with two kids… Ps: I will take down this post till her issues is settle, so stop…
Posted by Jolin Lau on Tuesday, 28 May 2019
In case you cannot read the above:
“Posting on behalf……Single mum with two kids…Â
“Still remember this bto? Gotten her keys less than a month and found moulds all over her new bto @tampines greenridge. After posting the pictures, HDB have contacted her to fix it for her. Thanks hdb for the prompt action to help solve the headache. Guess what? Her house story haven’t end! Half way fixing the house, she got a called from spgroup telling her that her water bill had shoot up to SGD600+??!!!!… my friend got a shocked! WHY?!!! My house not yet 100% complete means i cant move in right? So how can the wated bill shoot up to that amount? And also even if she shift in, i don’t think she will use up to SGD 600+. staying in HDB not landed ok! She has tried to contact hdb and ask for a answer, HDB went up to her place again to check and they told her everything ok no leakage. So who is using the water? She have emailed to SP explaning to them what’s going on. She approched MP to help appeal to waive the amount and got rejected by SP. SP is asking her to pay! So who can she look for? GOVT?? (sic)
“Buying a New BTO isn’t cheap. Why give her so many problem? She needs to provide her 2 kids maintenance, why asking this amount from her which she didn’t use it? She needs the money more than you! Advice to all new buyer, Please check and monitor your water meter!”(sic)