Closer to strata titles
11/07/2007 The Star

AFTER 17 years, residents of the Bercham flats in Ipoh are finally getting closer to obtaining their longed-for strata titles.

The Perak Land and Mines Department has urged the residents of the 560-unit flats to submit their applications for their strata titles through their residents’ association.

Association chairman Chau Hoy Yong has given the residents three months to submit relevant documents such as a photocopy of their MyKad, a copy of their sales and purchase agreements or deeds, and any surveyor fee receipts.

“They would also each have to pay about RM800 in quit rent, processing fees and other costs,” he told reporters after residents met with department officials at the flats on Saturday.

“I’m hoping we can at least submit the applications by the end of the year because many of the residents have a phobia about this. They’ve been promised strata titles many times before,” Chau added.

He explained that the problem first started when the developer, who was supposed to apply for the titles on the residents’ behalf, went bankrupt in the 1980s.

Bercham assemblyman Gooi Seng Teik, who was also present, hoped the residents would co-operate by coming up with the relevant documents in time.

He pointed out that there was a time when the flats were in bad shape, with residents having to endure poor roads and poor water supply.

“Now the Housing and Local Government Ministry has arranged for the tarring of the roads and most of the residents are faithfully paying their water and electricity bills.

“The residents deserve to get their titles,” he added.