Yishun woman affected by pizza smells from neighbour's HDB flat used for private dining

A Singapore woman took to Facebook to air her grievances with her Housing and Development Board (HDB) neighbours over their home dining business.

Specifically, she is concerned when her neighbours make pizza in their house, as they offer private dining services in their Yishun flat.

Mothership understands the business runs only twice a week, on Friday and Saturday.

"Really cannot take it anymore," Wang wrote in her post.

Greasy smell

Wang shared on Facebook that the greasy smells from her neighbour's cooking would permeate into her aircon unit.

Despite spraying fragrances and using lemons and limes to try and combat the odours, the smell lingers.

In addition, Wang noted that there are large groups of people who would arrive and leave next door, and the noise generated could be heard through the walls.

She said she could hear people talking loudly from their unit at 11:30pm.

Her neighbours also keep pet dogs, and she can hear them barking and scratching at night, which is "very irritating".

"The smell is affecting my teaching as a freelance teacher offering one-on-one lessons," Wang said.

"Praying they go elsewhere operate restaurant. This is HDB dwelling in close proximity and any light business should not affect immediate neighbours."

When one commenter said how nice it must be to smell pizza every day, Wang replied that she dislikes cheese as it gives her a headache.

Feedback submitted

Speaking to Mothership, Wang shared that she had previously raised her concerns with her neighbour through their business' Instagram account on Oct. 21.

Wang added that she cannot stand the smell of cheese and is sensitive to it.

While she shared that she is a patient person, her family are apparently suffering and her music students are complaining.

One of Wang's students complained that there were more than 10 pairs of shoes outside her neighbour's house once.

Wang shared that the neighbours also have an old dog, and guests bring their dogs too, so there would be barking and scratching noises that go past 11pm, which is "irritating".

"All these noise, barking, smell affects me most as [it's] only [the] next door unit," she told Mothership.

"Main point is HDB should not allow such business activities that generate strong smell, noise, big crowds and pets too... I think they should move their business elsewhere."

Wang has emailed HDB and the Member of Parliament and is awaiting their reply.

Response by the business

Speaking to Shin Min Daily News, Wang's neighbour said they only learnt about the dissatisfaction when Wang messaged them on social media.

"We always thought that anything could be resolved through communication, but she didn't bring this up until last week."

The neighbour shared that once he learned of her complaint, he immediately bought seals for the door to isolate the sound and smell and closed the kitchen door when baking the pizza.

The neighbour said: "We respect her feelings, but we also feel it's a bit unfair because this is our passion and way of life. She also teaches music at home, so we thought there would be mutual understanding."

Speaking to Mothership, the business owners shared that they were surprised to see the complaint escalated to social media and the press after what they thought was a productive discussion.

They shared that they immediately initiated a face-to-face discussion with Wang once concerns were raised through social media in October.

From there, the business identified and addressed specific concerns, such as installing rubber seals and closed doors to minimise cooking odours and requesting that their guests reduce their noise levels in common areas.

The business added that before the complaint, they had a civil relationship with their neighbour and regularly checked in about potential noise or disturbance.

"So it came as a surprise when our neighbour took to social media in October without having once approach and talk to us directly."

"As fellow home-based business operators - our neighbor runs a music school while we pursue our culinary passion - we understand the delicate balance between personal aspirations and community living and we hope to resolve this amicably."

Top photos via Wang & Canva