Tribunal to address strata management disputes

KUALA LUMPUR: A tribunal to address strata management disputes such as the failure to pay management fees in an apartment complex is being set up, said Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Chor Chee Heung.

This was to enable the tribunal to be up and running once the Strata Management Act 2012 came into force later this year, said Chor, adding that the Act was expected to be enforced bet­ween the middle and third quarter of the year.

“The tribunal will ease the burden of building managers in handling disputes, including cases of apartment unit owners failing to pay management fees and issues on the election of committee members.

“With this tribunal, such disputes need not be taken to court and can be resolved with minimal costs. Complainants can just file a case with the tribunal,” he said after launching the Property Management Time Bomb Seminar “Strata Management – More Solutions or Problems” here yesterday.

The tribunal, said Chor, would handle cases which did not exceed RM250,000.

“Tribunal members will comprise retired judges and lawyers with at least 10 years of experience in the field. They will take turns to sit in the tribunal,” he said.

The tribunal, he added, would also be set up in states with many high-rise buildings, such as Penang.

Among others, the Act allows for the streamlining of management practices of the joint management body and management corporations of stratified properties, such as condominiums and apartments.

The ministry, said Chor, was currently waiting for the royal assent to be granted before the Act could be gazetted.

To further enhance efficiency, he said the Commissioner of Buildings (COB) Department in local councils would have a full-time deputy to address problems concerning high-rise buildings.

“The department will also have an additional four to five employees. This is all at the expense of the Federal Government,” he said.

The move was introduced as some COBs were also local council presidents or mayors who might not be completely available to address issues on high-rise buildings due to their other responsibilities, he said. - The Star

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Credit Suisse: S’pore property prices to stay flattish

PETALING JAYA: Singapore’s residential property prices are likely to remain flattish, supported by low vacancy and strong affordibility in the wake of the city state’s seventh round of cooling measures, a report by Credit Suisse said.

The research house said it expected a further 5%-10% downside risk for the prime (high-end) end due to the vacancy, mitigated by mild increase in the mass and mid-market.

The Singapore government introduced the seventh round of cooling measures about a week ago which takes effect on Jan 12 this year to ensure housing remained affordable to Singaporeans.

The report said that with Singapore’s low interest-rate environment here to stay, a lack of attractive investment and the anticipated growth in household income driven by the tight labour market with unemployment at 1.9%, property could continue to be one of the key investment products.

The report also highlighted that higher construction costs and rising land costs could translate into an upward risk for prices.

The report said the government would manage supply “to avoid significant oversupply” as well as price to “balance affordability”. - The Star

Residents upset at being kept in the dark over proposed project

GEORGE TOWN: Residents of Gat Lebuh Sandilands have accused the Penang Government of failing to live up to its Competency, Accountability and Transparency (CAT) policy when planning a housing project in their area.

State Barisan public complaints bureau vice-chairman Lee Hack Teik, who was highlighting their plight, claimed the residents’ views were not consulted on the project.

“They wanted to know how they would be compensated. They also do not know when their houses would be demolished and where they would be staying during the development.

“They are not against the development. They urge the state government to be transparent and provide them with answers to their queries in black and white,” he told reporters at the residents’ houses off Gat Lebuh Cecil yesterday.

He said there were 54 houses — 23 with Temporary Occupation Licence (TOL) and 31 without TOL.

He added that the residents also wanted to know the fate of the temples, small factories and commercial offices in the area.

It was reported on Jan 17 that a request for proposal for an affordable housing project on a 1.7ha plot in Jalan C.Y. Choy had been made.

Penang Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow had said 200 to 300 units of affordable and low medium-cost units would be built as a state government project.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had said bidders must take into account the amount of compensation for those now occupying the land.

A resident, Lim Cheng Hai, 50, said he was shocked to hear about the project which he only knew about from the newspapers.

When asked if he would be willing to move, he said he had been staying there for over 40 years and would still like to stay there if compensated with an affordable unit.

At press time, Chow could not be reached for comment. - The Star

Developer of RM240mil project targeting buyers from Hong Kong and Singapore

MAH Sing Group Bhd is targeting buyers from Hong Kong and Singapore for its RM240mil Emaryl Condo Villas project in Batu Ferringhi, Penang.

Group chief operating officer Teh Hong Chong said the group had received feedback indicating strong interest for the project from investors in both countries.

“It is not surprising the project has drawn interest from these countries as the units are priced from RM1mil onwards, which is very competitive compared with property of similar range found in Hong Kong and Singapore.

“Furthermore the property is located in a renowned resort area, and is a stone’s throw away from well-known resorts such as Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa, Holiday Inn Resort and Hard Rock Hotel,” Teh said.

The project was launched on Saturday at the Mah Sing sales gallery in Batu Maung.

Emaryl Condo Villas is spread into 20 five-storey blocks, with 10 units of condominiums per block.

“There are only two units per floor, each with built-up areas ranging between 1,510sq ft and 1,752sq ft, to ensure exclusivity and privacy.

“We also provide lifts and 479 car parks. The range of recreational facilities include infinity pool, water lounges, lifestyle cafe, gymnasium and cycling path,” Teh added.

On its Southbay Penang project in Batu Maung, he said the linked property there had appreciated significantly since their launch four years ago.

Priced around RM700,000 to RM800,000 four years ago, the linked units are now transacted at RM1.2mil to RM1.3mil at the sub-sales market.

“Also very popular among foreign investors are the bungalow units with built-up areas of 6,000sq ft to 7,000sq ft, priced around RM4mil to RM5mil, as they are very rare on the island nowadays.

“The 76 bungalow units, launched two years ago, are in advance stages of construction,” Teh said.

For Southbay City in Batu Maung, Teh said the group planned to launch a second tower block of 150 condominiums in mid-2013.

“All the condominiums will front the sea and will have built-up areas ranging between 1,000sq ft and 1,800sq ft.

“A shopping mall that will enhance the values of our property in Batu Maung is being a planned for Southbay City next year,” he added. - The Star

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