Set up JMB fast, residents of high-rise buildings urged
03/07/2007 The Star By Esther Chandran

DEVELOPERS and property owners need to work together to form the Joint Management Body (JMB) committees to replace pre-management committees set up at high-rise buildings in Serdang.

Seri Kembangan assemblyman Datuk Liew Yuen Keong said there were more than 30 high-rise buildings, comprising low-cost flats, apartments and condominiums in Serdang.

He said the first JMB in Selangor was launched at the Seri Pinang Apartments in Seri Kembangan on June 24.

“State housing committee chairman Datuk Mokhtar Dahlan praised the developer and residents for being the first to set up the JMB in Selangor and urged other developers and residents to work together to set up the JMB at their properties speedily,” he said.

Liew said following the gazetting of the Building and Common Property (Maintenance and Management) Act 2007 (Act 663) on April 12, all developers had a one-year period to form JMB committees at flats, apartments, condominiums, gated communities, commercial buildings, shopping complexes, service apartments, industrial parks and town houses.

“The setting up of JMB applies to old and new projects, where the JMB is responsible for managing and maintaining the properties before strata strata titles are obtained.

“The developer has to prepare audited accounts for the properties before the JMB can be set up,” Liew said.

He added that reluctance to form the JMB would result in severe repercussions, as the developer could face a fine of not more than RM20,000; imprisonment of not more than three months, or both.

He said when the audited account was declared sound by the commissioner of buildings (COB) of the Selangor Housing and Real Property Board, the developer should call for the first JMB meeting.

“Property owners will elect members of the JMB at that meeting.

“The members of the JMB will comprise one representative from the developer and between five and 12 house owners,” Liew said, adding that the JMB would hold office for three years.

The JMB, Liew said, was responsible for managing the property, including its maintenance and all affairs related to the building, and also had the right to serve notices to the unit owners who failed to pay maintenance.