An elderly couple living in a Tampines HDB flat has been dealing with cockroaches and lizards entering their home after their refuse chute hopper became loose several months ago.
The couple, who live on the eighth floor of a four-room flat, said the problem began in April when the hopper stopped closing properly. They have lived in the flat for about 30 years and said they had never experienced an issue with the chute before.
Since then, they have had to contend with insects crawling out of the refuse chute, along with the smell of rubbish.
The couple’s wife said cockroaches had crawled onto clothes while she was hanging laundry in the kitchen. On another occasion, one reportedly crawled onto their son.
The couple said they are concerned about hygiene, particularly because of their age and existing health concerns. They were willing to pay for a handyman to replace the faulty hopper, but the repair has been delayed.
According to the report, a contractor told them that removing the existing chute could cause wall tiles to fall and that additional work might be required. An interior designer consulted for the report said damaged tiles can generally be repaired with cement, although replacing tiles completely could cost more.
HDB’s guidelines allow homeowners to replace a refuse chute hopper without a renovation permit, provided the work stays within the original refuse chute opening. HDB’s Home Improvement Programme also lists a new refuse chute hopper as an optional improvement where applicable.
HDB has also noted that improperly disposed waste can block refuse chutes, creating unpleasant odours and attracting pests. Residents are advised to tie rubbish bags securely and ensure they are small enough to fit through the hopper opening.
For the Tampines couple, however, the immediate concern is more basic: getting their faulty chute fixed so that cockroaches and other pests stop finding a way into their home.
What began as a maintenance problem has turned into a daily nuisance for the elderly residents — and the longer the hopper remains faulty, the longer they may have to keep dealing with unwanted visitors in their own flat.
