NEIGHBOUR DISPUTES IN HDB ESTATES

NEIGHBOUR DISPUTES IN HDB ESTATES

28.

Dr Lam Pin Min asked the Minister for National Development (a) what is the number of reported neighbour disputes in HDB estates over the past three years; (b) what are the resolution processes in place and their success rate; (c) what is the eventual outcome of such disputes; and (d) whether the new HDB Community Relations Department will take on the role of managing such disputes.

Mr Mah Bow Tan: From 2006 to 2008, HDB received an average of 1,600 complaints of neighbour disputes every year. This is less than 0.2% of the total number of households living in HDB estates.

Consideration and tolerance amongst neighbours is key to harmonious living in HDB estates. When HDB receives a complaint from a resident about a neighbour, it will investigate whether any HDB rules have been breached. At the same time, HDB will advise the residents to be more considerate and cease their inconsiderate behaviour. Where appropriate, HDB will also counsel the complaining party to exercise greater tolerance.

If the disagreement persists, HDB will seek the help of grassroots leaders to mediate. Disputing parties can also go to the Community Mediation Centre to resolve their differences. However, recourse to mediation is voluntary. Whether mediation is successful depends on the willingness of both parties to continue to exercise consideration and tolerance thereafter. In more serious cases, the aggrieved party can file a Magistrate’s Complaint.

Although HDB tries to assist, it is not possible for Government agencies like HDB to be responsible for resolving private disputes between two neighbours. It is often one party’s word against the other. It is often not clear who is in the wrong. Ultimately, private disputes need to be resolved privately, with the help of community mediation or through the legal process if necessary.

MND convened a workgroup involving a few Members of Parliament (1) last year to look into promoting harmonious living in HDB estates. The workgroup recommended promotion of greater public awareness of the "dos" and "don’ts" of HDB living. It also suggested

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facilitating more community interaction among HDB residents, as neighbours familiar to each other will exercise more consideration and tolerance.

HDB has released a "HDB Guidebook" providing tips on being a considerate neighbour. HDB and People’s Association have also collaborated to launch an inaugural nation-wide Good Neighbour Award, to encourage residents to recognise exemplary neighbours. These are part of the work by HDB’s Community Relations Department to help foster more caring and cohesive communities in our HDB heartland.

However, there is a small number of residents whose deliberate anti-social behavior negatively affect many others, despite repeated warnings and counselling. HDB is reviewing its penalty framework to take more decisive actions against such neighbourhood nuisances.

(1) They were SMS(ND), Parl Sec(ND), Dr Lim Wee Kiak, Mr Liang Eng Hwa and Mdm Halimah Yacob.