According to the Selangor Housing and Property Board (LPHS), flat owners who default in maintenance payment may face legal action or have a case filed against them with the strata tribunal. The LPHS released a statement addressing the issue of unpaid maintenance fees and illegally renovated units at Flat PKNS Tapak Maha in Taman Datuk Harun, Petaling Jaya. The state housing board revealed that the Commissioner of Building (COB) had identified the defaulters and informed the Petaling Jaya City Council’s (MBPJ) Building Control Unit to take action. The LPHS stated that unit owners are responsible for fulfilling their financial obligations to the joint management body/management corporation (JMB/MC). Under the Strata Title Act 2013, the JMB/MC is responsible for collecting fees for property maintenance. The statement also mentioned that the COB, in collaboration with the MBPJ, will organize talks and seminars to educate JMB/MC members about their responsibilities and roles in managing strata properties.
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On September 11, a report titled “Illegally built structures at PJ flats pose fire risk” was published by StarMetro. The report highlighted that 50% of flat owners at the Tapak Maha flats have been defaulting on their RM25 monthly maintenance fee payments. As a result, the JMB is struggling to maintain the common property of the scheme and is burdened with a debt of hundreds of thousands of ringgit. Additionally, unauthorized renovations carried out by some unit owners pose a risk to the community in case of a fire. It was also reported that the Selangor government, which owns 40 units at Tapak Maha, has defaulted on maintenance payments for over 20 years. Furthermore, the state has not fulfilled its financial obligations for parcel rent and fire insurance, resulting in an outstanding debt of over RM132,841.03 as of June 2022. The LPHS clarified that the units are occupied by Air Selangor staff and assured that it would ensure all parties responsible for maintenance payment settle their dues as soon as possible.
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In response to the situation, the Selangor State Secretariat issued a statement explaining that the 40 units belonged to Jabatan Bekalan Air Selangor (JBA) before the privatization of Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) to Air Selangor. It stated that the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) sold the units to JBA on December 24, 1988. After a restructuring exercise in JBA, the units were surrendered to Syabas. However, in 2007, the units were returned to the Selangor government following a meeting with the state executive council. The ownership issue remained unresolved during that period, creating difficulties in matters such as payment of maintenance fees since the units were still under PKNS. The state government assured that it would settle the unpaid maintenance fees soon. Anuar Surau, the chairman of Flat PKNS Tapak Maha JMB, expressed efforts to prevent further deterioration of the flats due to insufficient funds. Issues such as blocked drains, poor waste collection, and pest and mosquito infestation need urgent attention. The walk-up flat scheme, constructed in 1983, consists of five blocks with 360 units. PKNS managed the flats until 2009, after which the COB took over. It was during this period that residents started unauthorized property extensions. Subsequently, a management company was appointed for maintenance until the establishment of the JMB in 2016.
Credit: The Star : Metro Feed
