Town Council tells HDB owner to remove 'onsen spa' fixture
A structure resembling a miniature onsen spa, erected at the entrance of a HDB flat, has ignited a flurry of reactions online, with many predicting its imminent removal due to potential safety hazards and encroachment on public space.
The structure, captured in a photo that surfaced on Reddit on July 9, appeared to be built of wood, with small windows and a door, complete with wooden steps and surrounding greenery.
The unit number visible in the original photo suggests the flat is on the 12th storey. It has been found to be located in Block 427 Serangoon Central.
While some Redditors found the unconventional addition "cute" and "cool", many agreed that it likely violated HDB regulations.
One commenter, claiming familiarity with similar structures, stated that they were intended for bathroom installation, branding its placement at the entrance as "brazenly illegal".
Concerns regarding fire safety and obstruction of the stairwell were also raised.
“It looks extremely flammable,” one commenter remarked.
The photo has sparked a wave of speculations, with many anticipating the structure's removal due to the online attention it has garnered.
“Poor guy gonna have to remove it now that the photo appeared here,” wrote one Reddit user.
Marine Parade Town Council told The Straits Times it has advised the owner to reduce the clutter outside her unit over the years, and that the owner has “made some effort in doing so”, without elaborating on the details.
“We are in the midst of engaging and working with the owner to remove the fixture and further reduce the clutter,” said the town council. “We are monitoring the situation closely.”
HDB's renovation guidelines explicitly prohibit any works that pose a fire hazard, create a public nuisance or encroach on public areas.
In 2019, a Tampines resident was ordered by HDB to dismantle a fish tank built on the front steps of their home.
Despite arguments that it was "properly constructed" and posed no obstruction, HDB deemed it a safety hazard due to its location on common property.
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