Some 50% of Flat PKNS Tapak Maha owners in Taman Datuk Harun in PJ have defaulted in paying the RM25 monthly maintenance fees.
THE Selangor Housing and Property Board (LPHS) says legal action can be taken against flat owners or a case filed with the strata tribunal for defaulting in maintenance payment.
It issued a statement yesterday regarding the unpaid maintenance and illegally renovated units at Flat PKNS Tapak Maha in Taman Datuk Harun, Petaling Jaya.
The state housing board said the Commissioner of Building (COB) had identified the defaulters and Petaling Jaya City Council’s (MBPJ) Building Control Unit had been notified to take action.
It said unit owners bore the responsibility to fulfil financial obligations owed to the joint management body/management corporation (JMB/MC).
Under the Strata Title Act 2013, the JMB/MC is tasked with collection of fees for property maintenance.
“The COB through MBPJ will carry out a series of talks and seminars to educate the JMB/MC members on their responsibilities and role on managing strata properties,’’ the statement said.
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On Sept 11, StarMetro carried a report titled ‘Illegally built structures at PJ flats pose fire risk’ on how 50% of flat owners had been defaulting in paying the RM25 monthly maintenance fee at the Tapak Maha flats.
As a result of this, the JMB is struggling to maintain the scheme’s common property and is dealing with a debt running into hundreds of thousands of ringgit.
Besides this, unauthorised renovation by some unit owners has put the community at risk in the event of fire.
It was reported that Selangor government, which owns 40 units at Tapak Maha, had defaulted on maintenance payment for over 20 years.
The state has not fulfilled its financial obligations for parcel rent and fire insurance as well.
As at June 2022, the outstanding debt has reached over RM132,841.03.
LPHS clarified that the units were being occupied by Air Selangor staff.
It said the board would ensure all parties responsible for maintenance payment settle it the soonest possible.
ALSO READ: Maintenance fees unpaid for two decades including by Selangor govt
Selangor State Secretariat in a statement yesterday said the 40 units had belonged to Jabatan Bekalan Air Selangor (JBA) before the privatisation of Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) to Air Selangor.
It said the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) sold the units to JBA on Dec 24, 1988. Following a JBA restructuring exercise, the units were surrendered to Syabas.
In 2007, the units were returned to Selangor government after a meeting with the state executive council.
However, during that period, the ownership issue was not settled, hence complicating matters like payment of maintenance fees as the units were still under PKNS, the state secretariat said.
The state government said it would settle the unpaid maintenance fee soon.
Flat PKNS Tapak Maha JMB chairman Anuar Surau said it was trying hard to ensure the flats did not deteriorate further due to a lack of funds.
Among the issues that need to be addressed are blocked drains, poor waste collection, pest and mosquito infestation.
The walk-up flat scheme, constructed in 1983, comprises five blocks with 360 units.
PKNS managed the flats until 2009. The following year, COB took over.
It was during this period that residents started extending their property without authorisation.
Subsequently, a management company was appointed to oversee the building’s maintenance until a JMB was established in 2016.
