Shoddy work still main grouse against builders

22/01/2001 The Star By Clarence Chua

Petaling Jaya: Shoddy workmanship, which has been the main complain against developers for several years, continued to be the largest single complaint brought to the Housebuyers Association (HBA) since its inception two years ago.

HBA Chairman Datuk Zainuddin Bachik said this was based on complaints received from buyers in 46 schemes in the country involving some 10,000 owners.

He said complaints over poor workmanship, which made up 22% of the total, topped the list while 18% were over late delivery of homes by developers.

Grouses on late issuance of certificates of fitness made up 17%, compensation delays 16%, non-adherence to building plans 11%, maintenance 4%, strata titles 4% and others 8%.

Zainuddin said most of those who complained about poor workmanship were concerned about safety after cracks appeared in their houses.

"It is the developers’ responsibility to assure housebuyers that the homes are safe. Many developers just say that the houses are safe but fail to substantiate.

"Most of the assurances given by the developers are usually verbal, unprofessional and unofficial and thus cause a lot of concern for the people," he said.

Late delivery, Zainuddin said, had also caused untold hardship to housebuyers. "They have to service their loans for the new house and pay rental at the same time.

"The complainants can sue the developers but lawyers are expensive and many cannot afford to engage them," he said.

He said the association accepted individual memberships or those representing the buyers in a scheme, adding that it was compulsory for any complainant to sign up as a member before lodging grouses.