KUALA LUMPUR – The roles and powers of residential management committees (MCs) and the people who lead them have come into focus following a dispute between homeowners and one such committee in a neighbourhood here.
The spat at Bukit OUG Townhouse has escalated into accusations of abuse of power, selective enforcement of rules, and even racism.
Speaking to Scoop, homeowners Audra Jeyaraj and Kaliswaran Sinniah claimed that the MC rejected an application dated March 23 to extend their house’s front and back facades by 3ft each, but had approved other “precisely similar” requests made by their neighbours.
A “townhouse rule” in the housing development is not to make any changes to the facade of the townhouses. The rules allegedly became stricter when the Strata Management Act 2013 was implemented.
Nevertheless, the couple commenced their renovation works based on the representation made by the MC that “it should not be a problem” to do so, as the modification rules would apparently be amended in the housing development’s upcoming extraordinary general meeting (EGM).
However, the EGM was never held, and they received a letter from the MC instructing them to stop renovating on May 2.
The pair’s situation worsened as they had already paid a deposit of RM1,000 to the MC – which they said has not been returned – and were purportedly often disturbed by security guards and MC representatives throughout the renovation process.
Audra and Kaliswaran asserted that their planned renovation was identical to various other townhouses in the area. They also argued that their renovation was in line with Clauses 6 and 8 of the townhouse rules, which was to ensure that any modifications were uniform with other houses.
Nonetheless, the couple alleged that the MC had acted in a “discriminatory, unfair, and illogical” manner by preventing them from carrying out their work, resulting in loss of time and finances.
Audra and Kaliswaran will be going to a tribunal hearing on September 26 regarding this matter.
Double standards?
Audra shared that another resident initially made similar plans several years ago to extend his front and back facades, with the approval of Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
However, the MC still rejected his renovation project and told him to seek approval from the Commissioner of Buildings (COB), a division under DBKL.
Audra quoted the COB as saying that the deciding capacity ultimately lies with the MC.
Similarly, Posh & Core Property Management, the management office working under the MC, is expected to adhere to its employer’s orders.
While numerous residents received the green light to carry out modifications to their exteriors, another resident named Daniel was told that he could not proceed with his already-started renovation work, and was also instructed to present his issue to the tribunal.
Despite undergoing the same renovation, the three homeowners apparently received differing orders from the MC.
Meanwhile, a homeowner who wishes to be named Justin saw his application for an exterior renovation outright rejected before starting.
Arguably, some of the renovations in the area were completed before the Strata Management Act was implemented.
At the same time, Seputeh MP Teresa Kok told Scoop that the ongoing disagreement is an internal issue, and she could not intervene in such matters.
She said that the homeowners can opt to rally at least 25% of the total homeowners to sign a petition for an EGM to discuss amending the house rules.
Otherwise, they can choose to vote the current MC out during the next annual general meeting, which will be held next year, she added.
Despite numerous attempts, Scoop has not been able to secure comments from MC chairman Alan Yee or the management office.
Scoop is also awaiting feedback from the COB. – September 17, 2023