Published: 16 September 2015 4:20 PM
Residents of Desa Mawar voice their concerns about a maintenance fee increase at a town hall meeting with management recently.
A property management agent has agreed to review its proposed hike in maintenance fees for five blocks of flats from Desa Mawar in Air Itam, near George Town, following objections from the residents.
“We strongly objected to the proposed increase from RM50 to RM77 monthly, a RM27 hike. However, the agent said it was unavoidable and offered to lower it to RM66 from which RM6 will serve as a special reserve fund for contingencies,” said Mieran Jamal, a residents’ representative.
He said 10 representatives had been selected by the residents to get their feedback and meet with Macro Concept Sdn Bhd, subsidiary of Bandar Baru Ayer Itam Management, recently.
Macro Concept said it had been forced to revise its monthly maintenance fee, citing escalating costs, and Goods and Services Tax (GST).
“Water and electricity tariffs have risen, and the escalating price of building materials has directly impacted overall building maintenance costs,” said Maintenance Manager P.J. Robert.
It is understood that the 18-year-old complex is in need of constant repairs and maintenance, in particular lifts, water tanks, domestic water pumps, electrical fixtures and parking lots.
Based on accounts provided, approximately 250 units are listed as defaulting on maintenance fees, spread across the five blocks.
“Around 1,000 units are paying RM50, from which RM23,000 is paid out to Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) for electricity to the lifts and stairways,” said resident Baghwant Singh.
Air Itam assemblyman Wong Hon Wai said he had foreseen the fee increase but remained optimistic that the residents and management could reach an amicable solution.
“I advised the management to work on recovering arrears from those who have not been paying. The tribunal set up under the Strata Title Act is empowered to fast-track cases that would help the management agent to recover outstanding arrears,” he said.
Desa Mawar was built in 1997. It comprises 1,500 units divided into six blocks. Macro Concept is reviewing maintenances fee for the first time.
At a recent town hall meeting with the management agent, residents were pessimistic, mainly due to unresolved complaints.
Among them was a 57-year-old retiree Christopher Fernandez who said the hike was too steep and untimely, considering the poor service provided by the agent.
“Eight years after moving in, the cornice ceiling in my bedroom collapsed due to leaks from the rooftop. Despite lodging complaints on numerous occasions, the problem remains unresolved,” he said. – September 16, 2015.
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/citynews/georgetown/article/management-residents-at-loggerheads-over-fees/management-residents-at-loggerheads-over-fees
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