But Penang, Johor and Melaka are expected to have their respective boards by August.

Under a 2001 amendment in the Strata Titles Act, each state is to form its own board. The Strata Titles Board will be empowered to deal with disputes between residents and their management corporations. Examples of disputes include complaints on the high cost of repairs or the interest charged on late payment of maintenance fees.

Azimuddin says that the boards would not convene on a fixed schedule but would instead meet on an as-and-when basis. However, once a complaint is made, the board has to make a finding or a decision within six months.

Each board will be made up of 20 committee members and headed by a president and a deputy. "The members can be from any field, but the president and deputy must be from the legal fraternity," says Azimuddin.

He adds that while the state authorities will be in charge of making appointments to the board, the Land & Mines Department can make recommendations regarding suitable candidates.

He said that they were still considering board candidates for KL.

Meanwhile, National House Buyers Association (HBA) secretary-general Chang Kim Loong already has a few names in mind for the KL board.

"The HBA will suggest three names whom we feel will make suitable candidates for the board.

All of them are lawyers," he says.

Chang adds that he would propose the names to Azimuddin during today's Strata Title Seminar organised by the HBA in conjunction with the 10th Mega Malaysia Property Showcase at the Putra World Trade Centre, KL.

Other speakers at the seminar include Alinah Ahmad, executive director of the Selangor Land and Housing Board, who will be guiding participants through the formation of a pre-management corporation.

The third speaker is Viola DeCruz, an advocate and solicitor who will elaborate on the legal rights on stratified property and the duties and responsibilities of developers and parcel owners.