HOUSEOWNER Loo Chee Seng was not prepared for the shock he got soon after moving into his new house in Taman Radzi, Klang, with his wife and three children. 

“Cracks began appearing on the walls inside and outside the house within two months after we had moved in,” said businessman Loo who paid RM288,000 for the house. 

After numerous complaints, said Loo, the developer sent its resident engineer and architect to have a look at the cracks two months ago. 

“We have heard nothing since and we are worried that we will be saddled with the problem when the 18-month defect liability period ends in about eight months,” he added.  

The houseowners have turned to Sungai Pinang assemblyman Teng Chang Khim, to help them settle the problem with the developer. 

Teng, who visited the houses recently, said the owners had grounds to ensure that the developer rectified the problem as the defect liability period was still in effect. 

Loo showing the cracks that have appeared on the wall of the master bedroom of his new house in Taman Radzi, Klang.

“They are also protected under the Housing Developers Act and can get the job done on their own, in the event the developer does not comply within a stipulated period of time,” he added. 

He said once the job was done, the houseowners could claim the cost of repairs from the developer. 

“I have advised them to engage a private engineer and contractor to access the damage and prepare a quotation which they should forward to the developer to pursue the matter from this angle,” he said. 

When contacted, Galian Housing Development Sdn Bhd (Galian) legal advisor Gan Pei Ling said the architect sent by the company to survey the cracks had recommended the special repair mortar method to patch them up. 

Gan said the house buyers rejected the suggestion, which involved patching up the cracks with a special chemical mixture.