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Housebuyers hail new ruling
with better protection
16/12/2007 Sunday Star
KUALA LUMPUR: The House Buyers Association (HBA) has welcomed the new
regulations, hailing them as “an enhancement of protection for housebuyers”.
HBA secretary-general Chang Kim Loong said HBA and other consumer groups had
requested for a longer period because some structural defects do not surface
immediately.
“For example, sinkages or fault lines caused by settlement of soil,
especially on refilled land, happens over a period of time. This causes
cracks in the walls that will be visible only after months.
On the mandatory enforcement of the Fifth Schedule, which lists out what
buyers can expect to pay besides the cost of their individual units, Chang
said:
“Many developers do not spell out the charges so they can manoeuvre these
costs. Although the Fifth Schedule is included as part of the S&P, it was
not mandatory. Now, the loophole is plugged!”
Real Estate and Housing Developers Association (Rehda) president Ng Seing
Liong said developers were ready to comply with the new regulations. We have
to live with them. A good developer will not have anything to worry about.
Our statistics show that only 2% or 3% of developers are negligent.
“On the extended defects liability period, it is the responsibility of the
commissioned architect and engineer to certify a building is safe and fit
for occupation.
“However, we are in favour that conventional systems should continue to run
concurrently to the newly introduced 10:90 concept.”
Malaysian Institute of Architects president Lee Chor Wah said the changes
were a positive step for the building industry as a whole.
“We welcome the changes and it is good for the Government to speed up the
delivery system and improve efficiency for all parties concerned,” he said.
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