Changes to strata title rules

Changes to strata title rules
The Star 1/7/2005

KUALA LUMPUR: High-rise building developers may soon have to apply for strata titles even the projects are being built to ensure that the strata titles are ready when the building is completed.

Natural Resources and Environment Ministry Datuk Seri Adenan Satem said plans are in place to make it compulsory for developers to apply for the starta titles upon the issuance of Certificates of Practical Completion (CPC).

Adenan said the proposal, currently being vetted by the Attorney-General's chambers, was to prevent strata titles cases from piling up.

Currently, developers have to apply for strata titles within six months of obtaining the Certificate of Fitness for Occupation (CFO).

“We don’t want to settle that backlog and acquire some more,” he said.

He said 72% of cases involving strata titles from before December 31, 2003, had been resolved.

The task force had also resolved 99.9% of cases involving land dealings, 24% involving alienation of land and 25% involving conversion of qualified titles to final titles.

Adenan added that they aim to clear all backlog cases from 2003 involving land dealings and strata titles by the end of the year.

The target for conversion of qualified titles to full titles is 50% and alienation of land is 30%.

He said the ministry was also considering setting up strata units at state Lands and Mines offices to speed up processing of strata titles.

When asked about the non-existence of a Strata Titles Board, provided for in the Strata Titles Act when it was amended in 2001, Adenan said land is a state matter and his ministry acted only as a co-ordinator.

“We've sent letters to the state governments asking them to set up the board as soon as possible.

“Penang already has a board. Kuala Lumpur and some states still don't have one,” he said.