SINGAPORE - A three-storey terraced house in Geylang has more than 60 tenants living in it, causing a neighbour to raise concerns about fire safety.

Mr Wang, 40, who lives behind the house, said that he saw 42 air-con compressors being installed at the house about a year ago.

Another neighbour, who did not wish to be named, told Lianhe Wanbao that there are at least 60 tenants living in the house, but he has not reported it because the tenants are quiet, and have not caused any problems.

But a deadly fire on Dec 6 that killed four at a three-storey shophouse at Geylang Lorong 4 left Mr Wang feeling uneasy.

"My house is just behind theirs, I'm worried that my house will be affected if there is a fire," he told the Chinese paper.

The tenants Wanbao spoke to had nothing but praise for the comfortable living conditions. It is understood that the rooms come with wi-fi, air-con, and a cleaning service. Each room costs $520 to $600 a month to rent, and there are two tenants to each room. The house is partitioned into more than 20 rooms.

Most of the tenants are from China or Vietnam and work in the construction industry.

One tenant, Mr Lin, said it was the best place he has stayed in so far.

"I stayed in places that squeezed six to a room and charged $230 a month. Now I pay $30 more, and it comes with air-con, and cleaning services!" he said.

He added that the landlord is very strict, and makes sure tenants' permits have not expired.

When Wanbao called the landlord asking to rent a room, she said that what she was doing was legal, but there would be no rental contract. She put down the phone when told the caller was a reporter.

According to the Urban Redevelopment Authority's website, the maximum number of occupants in a leased residential unit is eight, no matter how big the unit is. It also states that there should be no internal partitioning to create more rooms.

chuimin@sph.com.sg