Pay up, building owners warned

The Star, Nation, Saturday January 23, 2010

PETALING JAYA: Owners of units in strata-title buildings may find their possessions auctioned by the Commissioner of Buildings (COB) if they do not settle their outstanding maintenance fees.

This is provided for under the Building and Common Property (Management and Maintenance) Act, said Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha.

State governments are empowered to appoint a COB to settle disputes and to smooth management of the buildings even after strata titles are issued.

“All buildings that have strata titles are governed under this Act. It can be a luxury project, an old project — there is no difference.

“The maintenance is the responsibility of the joint management body (JMB), of which owners are members.
“It is the responsibility of owners to pay the maintenance fees,” he said.

Kong said the Act allowed the COB to auction items found inside the units, such as furniture and electrical items, to offset the amount defaulted by the owners.

“When housebuyers sign the sales and purchase agreement, they must know their responsibilities,” he said, adding that the ministry would host a series of seminars from Feb 6 to educate JMBs on the issue.