Neighbour complains about “cooking smell” from unit, HDB finds no wrongdoing following investigations

A woman was taken aback after receiving a note (October 4) from the Housing Development Board (HDB) about wanting to speak to her about the “cooking smell” coming from her unit.

The woman, and her cousin ‘L’, who use the flat, wrote, “Housing & Development Board seriously?? Now we can’t cook in our own homes????? Cooking smell??? So, what’s the point of having a house, when you can’t cook???? Seriously?? We don’t do heavy duty cooking. We rarely cook. So what’s going on?? We can’t cook at home, HDB??? REALLY?!”

The notecard from HDB read, “You were not around when we visited. We would like to speak to you on the following matters”, with the boxes for ‘lease tenancy’ and ‘others’ checked, and the words “cooking smell” handwritten.

According to a Straits Times report, the complaint was prompted by allegations that the unit was being used for illegal food catering operations, the HDB clarified on Friday (Oct 11).

Replying to queries by The Straits Times on the matter, HDB said on Friday that its inspection also found no indication of food catering activities in the flat.

The flat involved is at Block 461B Yishun Avenue 6, and is understood to be rented to the female cousin of the Facebook user.

HDB said on Friday that it received the complaint on Sept 25 and proceeded to investigate because cooking food for catering services is prohibited in HDB flats.

It said to the media: “We understand from the tenant that while she does run a small-scale food catering business, the cooking activities are carried out at another location, and not in the rental flat.”

HDB also added that it would not be taking action against the tenant of the flat. /TISG

Read related: Woman irate after HDB comes to speak to her about “cooking smell” complaint from her neighbour