Penang will need to look at the rules and regulations concerning homestay in private condominiums and high-rise apartments, says state executive councillor Yeoh Soon Hin.

Admitting that it is a long-standing issue, Yeoh said there is no problem for the units to be used for short-term homestays if they come with a commercial title.

The problems, he said, are those for residential purposes as many complaints have been received from the local dwellers over the nuisance caused by the holidaymakers.

“To regulate the homestay, many agencies need to be involved, like Motac (Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry), local councils, housing and not tourism per se.

“We need to take care of the local residents. It is still considered illegal from the point of law (for residential units to be used for homestay). Some countries have banned Airbnb while some have come up with rules to regulate the short-term stay.

“What we lack in this country now are rules and regulations,” Yeoh, who is in charge of the state’s Tourism and Creative Economy portfolio, said in reply to reporters’ questions after launching the 2022 High Fun Penang at The Top Penang in Komtar today.

Yeoh said those units, like some of the kampung-style homestays regulated by Motac, are allowed to operate.

He added that homestay operators using residential units created unfair competition for licensed hotels that have to pay tax and hotel fees.

State Housing, Local Government, Town and County Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh recently reiterated that if unit owners want to rent their units out to short-term guests or turn them into homestay units, 75% of the residents there must first agree to it.

He said that while the starting date for the ban of homestays in residential units has not been decided yet, the state government has agreed with the plan, based on the numerous complaints from residents’ groups at apartments, condominiums and residential neighbourhoods.

On a separate matter, Yeoh said many hotels in Penang recorded almost 100 per cent occupancy rate over the last few days due to the Labour Day and Hari Raya holidays.

“Some attractions also received good business, like back to pre-pandemic level. However, I still want to say that even though we received an overwhelming response during these long holidays, we are still not out of the woods yet.

“We still need to create more synergy and opportunities, especially to attract more international tourists to sustain our Penang state tourism,” Yeoh said.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

Ion Vivace, a serviced residence development by Innoceria Sdn. Bhd. near Batu Kawan. Located along Jalan Perniagaan Vorteks 3, next to the semi-detached shop offices at Vortex Business Park. It is less than 2km from Bukit Tambun Toll Plaza, about 10 minutes drive to Penang 2nd Bridge.

This development comprises 2 blocks of 33-storey skyscrapers, offering 528 serviced residence units with built-up sizes ranging from 520sq.ft. up to 1,176sq.ft.

Project Name: Ion Vivace
Location : Batu Kawan / Simpang Ampat
Property Type : Serviced residence
Total Units : 528
Built-up Size: 520sf – 1176sf
Land Tenure : Freehold
Indicative Price : RM290,000 onwards
Developer: Innoceria Sdn. Bhd.

Skim Saraan Bercagar (SSB) by Cagamas is a type of loan for retired homeowners. Through a reverse mortgage, you can generate cash during retirement without sacrificing homeownership. This allows you to continue staying in your family home without repayment during your lifetime. Retired homeowners can use the monthly payout amount for any purpose, such as medical-related expenses and other necessities to make their retirement years more comfortable.

The Skim Saraan Bercagar Loan only requires settlement upon the demise of the borrower or joint borrower, whichever occurs later. No repayment is required during their lifetime and the property will only be sold to settle any outstanding loan amount upon the demise of the borrower or last surviving joint borrower. Any residual balance from that will go towards your estate.

Benefits of Skim Saraan Bercagar (SSB) Reverse Mortgage includes:

• Lifetime tenure
  You’ll have a fixed monthly source of income throughout your retirement years.
• Repayment happens later
  You don’t have to worry about repayment during your lifetime as it will only happen when you or the joint borrower passes away, whichever occurs later.
• Home sweet home
  You are able to reside in your home throughout your retirement years.
• A non-recourse loan
  If the eventual sale proceeds of the property is less than the outstanding loan amount, your family or your estate will not be responsible for any shortfall to settle the Skim Saraan Bercagar Loan.

According to Cagamas, here are a few reasons why you may consider Skim Saraan Bercagar (SSB):

• Ever-increasing cost of living
  The uncertainty of the economy can make retirees worry and be anxious about not having enough money to maintain their lifestyle throughout their retirement years.
• Independent living
  Retired home owners can have more financial independence through SSB in addition to their existing retirement income sources. They would not need to rely on their next-of-kin or other aid for money.
• Future-ready
  Having a ready supplemental income stream through SSB provides the additional financial buffer to cushion challenging times during potential events of crisis in the future. The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in widespread health and economic upheaval for older adults which would have a financial impact on their limited income, and SSB can be a lifeline during such times by providing a fixed monthly income stream for life.
• Mandatory retirement
  Senior citizens who are forced to retire because of age may not be financially ready to leave the workforce. This can result in income insecurity, making them too reliant on pension and savings.

Eligibility Criteria

For borrower:

• Malaysian
• 55 years old and above
• Owner or joint owners of a residential property
• For a joint loan, the joint borrower can be a partner, parent, sibling or child, subject to age limit

For property:

• Residential property in Malaysia held in Borrower’s or joint borrowers’ name(s).
• For a joint Skim Saraan Bercagar Loan, joint ownership of property is required.
• Property must be owner-occupied and be the primary place of residence.
• Free from encumbrances such as mortgage and other financial liabilities.

Details on the SSB can be found at its website: https://www.ssb.cagamas.com.my. Online application is currently open for Klang Valley residents only. It is not known when will this be available for Penang folks.

From air touch elevators to extra spacious secondary bedrooms, you will be pleasantly surprised by the unique features of Anggun Residences at Design Village Batu Kawan, most of which supersede your expectations of a home that offers such amazing value.

Features for tomorrow’s lifestyle

Anggun Residences is meticulously designed with your future lifestyle in mind. The new norm of working-from-home, renewable energy, and preventive measures in keeping the spread of viruses and infections at bay, are all carefully taken into consideration in the planning of these residences.

• Air Touch Elevators
  From touchless buttons to motion call censors, the elevators at Anggun Residences recognise your hand gestures without the need for any surface contact. You can easily call for the lift with a simple wave or choose your designated floor by hovering your finger over the touchless buttons. Clean and convenient, the technology helps ensure better hygiene and reduces the risk of contamination.
• Electric Vehicle Charging Station
  Plug-and-charge your electric vehicles at the EV charging stations at Anggun Residences. Equipped with 3-phase 32A fast chargers, enjoy a quick and efficient charge at 22kW before heading out for the day.
• Automated Waste Management System
  The waste management system at Anggun Residences utilises vacuum technology to keep garbage odour at bay. The automated system also enables the council truck to collect garbage without the need of entering the property.
• Condotel Concept Recreational Facilities
  From active, leisure to interactive indulgences, enjoy over 70 different recreational facilities at ground, podium and rooftop levels. These include a 50m swimming pool, sky bar and dining, starry tunnel and more.

Sensible features for utmost comfort

A visit to the actual show unit will leave you in awe at the sheer spaciousness of these 1,045 sq ft residences. Take a closer look and you will discover all the finer design details that make these residences so ideal to call home.

• Column-Free, Beam-Free Layout
  The ‘secret’ to the extra capacious layout is the column-free, beam-free open concept design that maximises functional space to the fullest. Because of this, you will find furnishing your home to be so much easier too!
• Extra Spacious Secondary Bedrooms
  All secondary bedrooms can accommodate a queen-sized bed while the master bedroom can easily fit a king-sized bed, a built-in wardrobe, a window seater, and still have space to spare.
• Full Width Glass Windows to All Rooms
  Enjoy waking up to panoramic views of the horizon every morning. At Anggun Residences, all bedrooms are facing outwards, welcoming a healthy dose of sunshine. The living area even comes with a corner piece window for an even more impressive view of the skyline.
• Decorative Security Front Door
  Unlike most residences, your main door at Anggun Residences is a security-enhanced decorative door that allows you to either open it entirely or partially when necessary.

70% sold. A property gem in Batu Kawan!

Anggun Residences is strategically located right next to Design Village Outlet Mall in Batu Kawan, a booming location that is undergoing tremendous growth. The Batu Kawan Industrial Park located just a short drive from Anggun Residences has been continuously welcoming more and more multi- national companies and manufacturing plants, opening thousands of job opportunities in the area.

Whether it is for self-stay or investment purpose, Anggun Residences is the smart choice. To find out more about this well-planned residential project, visit PE Land Sales Gallery at Design Village Outlet Mall. Opens daily from 11am to 8pm, you may also call 012-476 3163 to make an appointment for a personal tour of the show unit and to view the key features’ prototypes that are available on-site.

For more info, visit www.anggunresidences.com.my. Alternatively, you can follow Anggun Residences on Facebook (www.fb.com/anggunresidences) or Instagram (www.instagram.com/anggunresidences) for its latest updates and offerings.

More than 300 squatters in Butterworth will receive free homes from the Penang government valued at RM22.4 million as part of a resettlement project.

The residents are part of Kampung Ujong Batu — an old settlement by the mouth of the Perai river, which has about 300 houses and was once home to workers at the nearby dockyard.

State executive councillor Jagdeep Singh Deo said the state government had bought 353 flats at a new apartment building called Pangsapuri Suria, being built 500m away at Harbour Place.

He said the settlers would receive their keys to their 663 sq ft homes, costing RM60,000 each, in two years.

“We are giving these villagers a good home with all the amenities. These are apartments of high standard,” the state housing committee chairman told reporters at Komtar on Friday.

Bagan Dalam assemblyman Satees Muniandy said the 5ha village site occupied swampy land and belonged to the Penang government.

He said the government had no plans to develop the land once the squatters cleared out.

“My office spends RM40,000 every year to repair the homes that often get damaged,” he said.

Source: FreeMalaysiaToday.com