SEREMBAN: Property owners in Negri Sembilan who rent out their dwellings to the public for short stays may soon be required to apply for a licence, says Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.
The Mentri Besar said this was to regulate the homestay business following public complaints about problems caused by those renting these units.
“I have received many complaints, especially in Port Dickson and Seremban, about guests leaving garbage strewn all over the place, parking their cars all over, causing congestion in neighbourhoods and being noisy.
“Guests need to be sensitive and respectful when they come to a neighbourhood.
“It is probably time for us to come up with dos and don’ts before property owners are allowed to rent out their dwellings to others,” he said after chairing the state exco meeting.
Aminuddin was asked to comment on complaints by property owners of the disturbances caused by those renting homestays, especially bungalows, apartments and houses in residential areas in Port Dickson.
“We are also thinking about whether local councils should put such dwellings under a special category as these are businesses.
“The owners may also be required to pay a higher assessment rate,” he said, adding that these owners might also be given larger bins to allow their guests to properly dispose of their rubbish before they leave.
Aminuddin said all local councils in the state had been asked to work on this matter so that a standard set of guidelines could be formulated.
“We need rules and restrictions because we do not want a situation, for example, where guests play loud music till late or become a nuisance to the neighbours.
“We also cannot have too many cars in the area as some homestays are also used for wedding parties and kenduri,” he said, adding that it might also be improper for guests to openly drink alcohol in certain neighbourhoods.
He said at present, the public could only call the police to complain if the guests turned rowdy or were causing a nuisance.
Aminuddin said requiring owners to get licences was also a good idea as the local councils would be able to contact them immediately if there were complaints.
“This will also be for security purposes and to ensure that the rights of the consumer, or those renting the homestays, are protected,” he said.
