Latest news with #StrataTitlesAct1985
The Star
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Dr Wee asks why consent threshold rates differ under proposed urban renewal law
PETALING JAYA: The government should explain its rationale for setting different consent threshold rates based on the age of properties under the proposed urban renewal law, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong. The MCA president expressed concern over the sudden change by the Housing and Local Government Ministry from the original 100% consent requirement. He questioned how the revised thresholds align with fairness and transparency, especially in developments involving existing strata property owners. "I asked the ministry to clarify the justification for setting different consent thresholds under URA (the proposed Urban Renewal Act), particularly when the original requirement was full consent. "I also sought details on engagement sessions to assess the potential impact of rising population density and traffic, as well as mitigation plans," he wrote in a Facebook post on Thursday (July 24). Dr Wee then shared the parliamentary written response he received from the ministry, which explained that the varied threshold rates were determined in consideration of public interest and to meet the strategic goals set under the urban renewal programme. The ministry also further clarified that the original 100% threshold pertains specifically to the requirement for unanimous consent under Section 57 of the Strata Titles Act 1985, which governs the termination of strata titles in stratified buildings or land. Dr Wee's questions come amid growing public interest in how the law would be implemented once passed and its possible long-term implications on urban communities across Malaysia.
The Star
28-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Flat dwellers risk losing properties due to arrears
GEORGE TOWN: More than 70,000 property owners here have defaulted on their parcel rent payments, with arrears totalling some RM12.5mil since 2019. The Penang Land and Mines Office (PTG) recently revealed that these homeowners risk losing their strata parcels due to unpaid arrears as of June 1. PTG director Dr Faizal Kamarudin said the highest number of defaulters is in the northeast district with 32,000 affected accounts. Under the Strata Titles Act 1985, properties may be forfeited if arrears are not settled within three months of receiving a legal notice. The parcel rent, billed annually, was introduced in 2019 to replace the uniform quit rent system for stratified titles such as condominiums, apartments and flats. It is separate from assessment tax and maintenance fees paid to the Joint Management Body or Management Corporation. Property agent Joyce Lee said many property owners, particularly first-time homebuyers, are unaware of parcel rent. She explained that unlike utility bills and maintenance fees, parcel rent does not carry immediate consequences such as service disconnection, making it easier for homeowners to overlook. 'The amounts are relatively small, and because they aren't bundled with the monthly management fees, they often go unnoticed. 'The fragmented nature of the payment system, where each tax or utility requires logging in through different portals with no auto-debit function or centralised reminders, makes it even more inconvenient,' she added. Besides a lack of awareness, Lee believes other contributing factors include rising living costs and inflation, which have led some owners to prioritise more urgent payments. 'There's a common belief that they can simply pay it later, especially when selling the property. 'Some sub-sale owners may not even realise that parcel rent is still under the previous owner's name, adding to the confusion and non-compliance,' she said. Lee added that more public education is needed, especially targeting new homeowners, along with possible incentives, early payment discounts or stricter penalties to encourage better compliance. Property valuer Mohd Fitri Hashim, 42, said parcel rent arrears could accumulate significantly if left unpaid. 'Parcel rent is calculated based on the size of the individual strata unit. 'For example, the parcel rent for a typical low-cost flat would be below RM30, while a standard condominium unit of about 1,000sq ft would need to pay around RM50,' he said. Mohd Fitri added that for luxury condominium owners who pay about RM400 annually in assessment tax, their parcel rent would be less than RM100. 'For example, at Rifle Range Flats in Air Itam with over 3,000 units in the nine blocks, each unit of about 400sq ft size has to pay about RM25 in parcel rent yearly,' he said. At the nearby All Seasons Place, the 850sq ft condominium's yearly parcel rent comes to about RM24. In comparison, the quit rent for a 1,523sq ft landed property in Teluk Kumbar on the southern tip of the island is RM42 annually.
The Sun
26-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Urban Renewal Act drafted after record 101 engagement sessions
JOHOR BAHRU: A total of 101 engagement sessions have been held to date in the drafting of the Urban Renewal Act (PSB), making it one of the most comprehensive legislative processes, with the highest number of stakeholder engagements in the nation's history, said Housing and Local Government (KPKT) Minister Nga Kor Ming. He said the sessions involved various stakeholders, including property developers, homebuyers' associations, community activists, academics, Members of Parliament and political parties. 'No ministry has ever conducted 101 engagement sessions. We uphold the principle of leaving no one behind. We involve all parties because we do not want our cities to turn into slums. 'This Act is a step forward in revitalising old and dilapidated urban areas to become more sustainable and modern,' he said at a press conference after the 2025 National Landscape Day celebration here today. Nga said the implementation of the new law, expected to be tabled in the upcoming parliamentary session, will act as a catalyst and reinforce the agenda for planned, systematic and comprehensive urban redevelopment. Currently, urban renewal initiatives under the Urban Renewal Act are governed by the Strata Titles Act 1985, which requires unanimous consent from all property owners under Section 57 before the management body can act as trustee to carry out redevelopment projects. Under the proposed new legislation, KPKT has recommended a tiered consent threshold based on the condition and age of the building: 75 percent for buildings over 30 years old, 80 percent for those under 30 years, and 51 percent for buildings classified as dilapidated or unsafe for occupancy.
The Sun
15-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Penang records RM12.5 million in parcel rent arrears
GEORGE TOWN: Penang recorded RM12.5 million in parcel rent arrears involving more than 70,000 strata parcels as of June 1, according to State Land and Mines Office director Dr Faizal Kamarudin. He said the majority of the arrears dated back to 2019, when parcel rent payments were first introduced for strata development schemes in the state. Faizal said the Timur Laut district recorded the highest amount of arrears, involving 32,000 accounts. 'Failure to pay the arrears immediately may result in the issuance of a Notice of Demand via Form 11 under the Strata Titles Act 1985 to the parcel owners involved,' he said in a statement today. He added that if the strata parcel owner failed to settle the arrears in full within three months from the date the notice was issued, confiscation action could be taken under Section 23 of the same Act. Faizal said the enforcement action could be carried out by the land administrator, and ownership of the strata parcel would be transferred back to the state authority. Therefore, he urged all parcel owners involved to settle their parcel rent arrears immediately to avoid confiscation action. Strata parcel owners with further enquiries may contact the Penang Land and Mines Office or the respective District and Land Offices.
The Sun
15-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Penang Faces RM12.5mil Parcel Rent Arrears from 70,000 Units
GEORGE TOWN: Penang recorded RM12.5 million in parcel rent arrears involving more than 70,000 strata parcels as of June 1, according to State Land and Mines Office director Dr Faizal Kamarudin. He said the majority of the arrears dated back to 2019, when parcel rent payments were first introduced for strata development schemes in the state. Faizal said the Timur Laut district recorded the highest amount of arrears, involving 32,000 accounts. 'Failure to pay the arrears immediately may result in the issuance of a Notice of Demand via Form 11 under the Strata Titles Act 1985 to the parcel owners involved,' he said in a statement today. He added that if the strata parcel owner failed to settle the arrears in full within three months from the date the notice was issued, confiscation action could be taken under Section 23 of the same Act. Faizal said the enforcement action could be carried out by the land administrator, and ownership of the strata parcel would be transferred back to the state authority. Therefore, he urged all parcel owners involved to settle their parcel rent arrears immediately to avoid confiscation action. Strata parcel owners with further enquiries may contact the Penang Land and Mines Office or the respective District and Land Offices.
