Shocked by condition of new house

The Star 25/5/2004

I HEAVED a sigh of relief when reading your report, “Build and sell” (The Star, May 22). Perhaps it really is premature to rejoice at our Prime Minister's statement but all the same it is reassuring that he is looking into the matter.

Undoubtedly, many people are looking forward to the day when they will know exactly what they are paying for and it would save lots of young couples and families the additional burdens of budgeting and waiting for more than a year for their houses to be completed.

We have the misfortune of buying a double-storey link house in Cheras from a developer who had a good track record and for the RM342,000 we paid, we were shocked and bitterly disappointed at the house they delivered recently.

They gave us steps 10ft high to the back lane without any railings and when I pointed out that it would pose a great danger to us, the clerk replied: “The railings are not included.”

We had a list of complaints on the shoddy workmanship, the poor finishings and the inferior quality of materials used.

When we were handed a questionnaire on how we rated the house and the services provided by the staff, I asked if it would make any difference to us. The clerk very honestly replied “not really” but that it would be a feedback for the developer.

Cheras is not anywhere near the likes of Bangsar or Damansara but for the price we paid for the leasehold property we had visualised a decent home with nice finishings, not a house equivalent to a low-cost house.

We feel cheated and would be happy if the authorities will step in and enforce the ruling that houses must be at least 90% completed before being put on sale.

Everyone should know what he is paying for and the ruling will ensure developers will buck up and that they will build quality houses or risk poor sales.

HEARTSICK,
Kajang.
(via e-mail)