Residents the cause of service termination
09/07/2007 The Star By Charles Fernandez

POOR payments from residents have resulted in the termination of maintenance services by management companies and this has caused problems between both the parties.

Only a small number may have actually defaulted on payments but even residents who have been keeping their accounts up to date with the management company have become victims.

In some cases, the developer had to settle outstanding quit rent with the land office and other related matters with the authorities before individual titles could be issued. This led to poor maintenance services.

Seri Kembangan assemblyman Datuk Liew Yuen Keong said a 100% formula should be in place if residents want a solution.

“This formula is only workable if residents fully cooperate with their respective management companies which include settling their monthly dues on time. It is a win-win situation for both parties,’’ he said during a dialogue between residents of the Desa Saujana condominium, Taman Sungei Besi Indah in Seri Kembangan, representatives from the management company and Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas).

The management company argued that they have had to resort to disconnecting water supply due to a group of residents who have not been consistent in paying their maintenance fees.

Syabas executive director (Finance) Thein Kwee Sin said that to convert from bulk meters to individual meters, the management company must have the full support of residents.

She said Syabas’ responsibility was only with the supply of water to the bulk meter and the billing while the management company was responsible for the supply of water to the individual units.

“However, the management company cannot take the law into their own hands by discontinuing water supply to residents who have yet to settle their outstanding bills.’’

She said residents would benefit from the new account policy by Syabas as there was a huge saving from converting to individual meters.

Presently residents of condominiums and low-cost flats pay RM1.35 per 1m3 of water as compared to RM0.57 per 1m3 for the first 20m3.

“This is a huge saving at the end of the month,’’ added Thien

She said the dialogue was one of the few held by Syabas with residents and management companies to send a clear message on the benefits of converting from bulk meters to individual meters.