Many strata property owners may have sought waivers or discounts on maintenance fees since the Covid-19 outbreak and the ensuing Movement Control Order (MCO) period but such fee waivers and discounts are not viable as any adjustments in fee collection or sinking funds will need the approval of property owners via an AGM or EGM, said Chur Associates founder and managing partner Chris Tan.

Furthermore, current laws also do not support virtual or online AGM or EGMs to be held as the Strata Management Act 2013 states that physical presence of owners is required.

“Even if online AGMs are allowed, would it be accessible to all especially those in low-cost or affordable housing schemes? Also, can the system support so many people going online at the same time? How do we ensure the discussion could involve the majority?” Tan questioned.

Low: Even if we give a discount, service providers may not give us a discount as maintenance, repair or cleaning works have to be carried on as usual.
Henry Butcher’s Low said it is impossible to give waivers or discounts as the JMBs and MCs may not have enough funds otherwise.

“Even if we give a discount, service providers may not give us a discount as maintenance, repair or cleaning works have to be carried on as usual,” said Low.

Such requests are also considered unfair to other property owners and to the property managers. During the MCO period for instance, the load level on the property was even higher as everyone was required to stay at home.

Lee concurred saying that the move would be “penny wise, pound foolish”.

“MCO is the time where everyone stays at home and if the buildings are not well-kept, many infrastructure and systems like sewage systems and piping, would fail. Reducing the maintenance charges will ‘sink’ the property’s maintenance level,” he said.

Source: EdgeProp.my

The Federal Court has today rejected an application for leave to appeal against the Court of Appeal’s (COA) decision in the Menara Rajawali case.

The COA had decided on Oct 4, 2019 that the Joint Management Body (JMB) of the mixed development is required to fix a single rate of maintenance fees for all the parcels in the project.

The COA’s ruling overturned a High Court decision earlier that JMBs are allowed to set different maintenance fee rates for different parcels in a mixed development.

According to the COA ruling, the JMB should calculate the maintenance charge for Menara Rajawali according to a fixed formula stated in the Strata Management Act 2013 (Act 757) which has already taken into consideration the different property types in a mixed development.

The landmark ruling has caused much debate among stakeholders due to its implication on parcel owners in mixed developments.

Among those who expressed their concern were the Malaysian Institute of Property and Facility Managers (MIPFM) who said a flat rate will be unfair to affordable housing owners in a development that also comprises high-end parcels as some facilities and amenities may not be accessible to the affordable housing residents.

Source: EdgeProp.my

An upcoming affordable housing (Type A) development by EcoWorld in partnership with Penang State Government. It is located on a 15.1 acres land along Jalan Sungai Daun near Kalidonia Farm, about 2km away from Nibong Tebal KTM station.

The project will feature 272 low-cost housing units, to be built in two phases at a cost of RM50.94 million funded by Eco Horizon Sdn. Bhd. 80 existing households on the project site will each get a unit, while the rest would be offered to applicants who are registered with the State Government under the Type-A affordable housing.

Phase 1: 112 units (expected completion – 2022)
Phase 2: 160 units (expected completion – 2025)

Each unit will come with a standard built-up size of 650sq.ft, featuring high ceilings and can be renovated to accommodate about 200sq.ft. more. The neighborhood will feature common car parking spaces and community areas such as a lake, park and tracks for jogging and cycling activities.

READ MORE ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING:

• Full list of affordable housing in Penang
• Eligibility and the requirement of buying affordable housing

Project Name: (to be confirmed)
Location : Nibong Tebal
Property Type : Low-cost housing
Total Units : 272
Land Tenure : Leasehold
Indicative Price : RM42,000
Developer: Chief Minister’s Corporation (CMI) & Ecoword

Location Map:

Yet another luxury residential development proposed by Marina Pavilion Sdn. Bhd. at George Town. Located within an established neighborhood along Solok York, just a stone’s throw away from Penang General Hospital. This development is only a mere 3 minutes drive to Han Chiang University College and Penang Turf Club.

The proposal will see the construction of 17 units 4-storey townhouse on an approximately 0.8 acre land.

This project is still pending approval. More details to be available upon official launch.

Project Name: (to be confirmed)
Location : George Town
Property Type : Townhouse
Total Units : 17
Land Tenure : (to be confirmed)
Indicative Price : (to be confirmed)
Developer: Marina Pavilion Sdn. Bhd.
Last Updated: Feb 2021

Location Map:

Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) participants stranded abroad have been allowed to return to the country since May 14, following the easing of movement restrictions.

Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said there were 253 MM2H participants and their dependents who had requested to return to Malaysia.

“While the government is concerned and shared the plight of the stranded MM2H participants abroad during the Movement Control Order (MCO), we hope they understand the challenges faced by the government in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The government’s priority is to protect the people, including the MM2H community from Covid-19, as well as secure Malaysia’s borders from the virus,” she said in a statement today.

Nancy said all returning MM2H members must comply with the MCO requirements, which include undergoing a medical screening at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, observe a 14-day mandatory quarantine, and bear the accommodation cost at the respective quarantine stations.

Source: NST Online