Housebuyers Should Get Houses From Licensed Developers
Bernama.com 10/4/2004

KUALA LUMPUR, April 10 (Bernama) -- Housebuyers are advised to purchase their homes from licensed housing developers to avoid legal complications and problems.

Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said all housebuyers should check with the ministry to find out whether their developers were licensed and were abiding by the laws and regulations of the local housing industry.

He said that although the Housing Tribunal, set up a few years ago, had helped housebuyers, many cases could have been avoided if the buyers were more careful in making their purchases.

He said this at the launch of the Home Weekly, a property pull-out section of Nanyang Siang Pau, a Chinese vernacular daily, here.

"We are not curtailing developers from making a profit through their sale but please make the profit in the right way," he added.

Ong also advised housebuyers to use banks in purchasing their properties as these financial institutions act as a safeguard against errant developers.

"When a house is bought in cash the deal is between the buyer and the developer only. So the banks cannot check if the developer is doing everything according to the law. This is when most housebuyers are shortchanged," he said.

Ong said it would be safer for housebuyers to check thoroughly the credentials and the track record of they developer before purchasing a property.

--BERNAMA