Noisy neighbours 'always banging day and night', hang wet clothes dripping on Stomper's laundry

A Punggol HDB resident said he has called the police four times about his noisy upstairs neighbours to no avail.

Stomper Dennis said the family from China was the noisiest family he had come across.

"They are always banging day and night," said the Stomper who lives in Block 259C Punggol Field.

"The child or children or the parents can always be heard running loudly even at midnight. The banging is very loud and unbearable. I've reported to HDB many times, but no use. I've called the police four times, but no use."

Besides the noise, the Stomper complained about the inconsiderate neighbours' wet laundry.

He said: "There had been many times they hung their very wet clothes outside which dripped on our dry clothes. When we came home late, we talked to them but no use."

The Stomper added that his laundry has also been affected by another neighbour on a higher floor who placed plants on the air-conditioner ledge.

"When they watered the plants, the dirty water would flow down to the lower floors and dirty our clothes hanging outside," said the Stomper.

"Even worse was when the wind blew, we could feel the droplets of water coming into our kitchen while my wife was cooking. There was once it rained dirty soil."

What can you do in such situations?

The Housing Board website said that residents are encouraged to manage disputes by speaking to their neighbours and being willing to compromise to maintain harmony.

The HDB said that “most neighbour disputes can be resolved effectively and amicably with a little thoughtfulness and patience”.

It offers the following advice:

Before the conversation

• Identify the most appropriate time to approach your neighbour. 
• Do not confront your neighbour when you are angry as this may upset them.
• Work out what you want to say before you speak to your neighbour.

During the conversation

• Do not lose your temper as this would make things worse.
• Keep calm and be polite while you attempt to talk things through.

Ending the conversation

• Thank your neighbour for their time and leave on a friendly note. 
• Wait a few days to see if the problem has been solved.
• Residents can also contact grassroots leaders for help with speaking to the neighbour.

If the issue persists, they can get formal mediation services at the Community Mediation Centre (CMC), which has a panel of trained volunteer mediators.

During a mediation session, a trained mediator will be present to help facilitate the conversation between you and your neighbour to try to reach a mutually acceptable agreement. Mediation sessions at the CMC are voluntary, and each party has to agree to attend.

For residents who wish to take the matter to court, they can apply to the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals (CDRT). The CDRT may order both parties to go for mediation before hearing the case.