Housebuyers hail new ruling with better protection
16/12/2007 Sunday Star

KUALA LUMPUR: The House Buyers Association (HBA) has welcomed the new regulations, hailing them as “an enhancement of protection for housebuyers”.

HBA secretary-general Chang Kim Loong said HBA and other consumer groups had requested for a longer period because some structural defects do not surface immediately.

“For example, sinkages or fault lines caused by settlement of soil, especially on refilled land, happens over a period of time. This causes cracks in the walls that will be visible only after months.

On the mandatory enforcement of the Fifth Schedule, which lists out what buyers can expect to pay besides the cost of their individual units, Chang said:

“Many developers do not spell out the charges so they can manoeuvre these costs. Although the Fifth Schedule is included as part of the S&P, it was not mandatory. Now, the loophole is plugged!”

Real Estate and Housing Developers Association (Rehda) president Ng Seing Liong said developers were ready to comply with the new regulations. We have to live with them. A good developer will not have anything to worry about. Our statistics show that only 2% or 3% of developers are negligent.

“On the extended defects liability period, it is the responsibility of the commissioned architect and engineer to certify a building is safe and fit for occupation.

“However, we are in favour that conventional systems should continue to run concurrently to the newly introduced 10:90 concept.”

Malaysian Institute of Architects president Lee Chor Wah said the changes were a positive step for the building industry as a whole.

“We welcome the changes and it is good for the Government to speed up the delivery system and improve efficiency for all parties concerned,” he said.