The sorry state of Heritage Condominium in Jalan Pahang has caused its value to steadily depreciate over the last five years, say owners.
|
KUALA LUMPUR: It was supposed to be a high end condominium and a good investment.
Buyers of units in Heritage Condominium at Jalan Pahang were happy as they could let out a fully-furnished unit for RM2,500, a month.
Now five years later, these same people would count themselves lucky if they can get RM800 for the same unit.
Buyers say the value of their property has been declining since the management of the building was placed under the supervision of a liquidator by the Insolvency Department.
The building's developer, Safety Development, was declared bankrupt.
K.K. Kong, the residents representative appointed by the department three years ago, said the liquidator has failed to fulfil his duty.
The liquidator is also holding 370 of the 450 strata titles.The building's residents, who asked for their strata titles so they could form a Joint Management Body to take over the management of the building, were told they had to pay two per cent of the purchase price of their units.
Kong said: "The amount is too high. We don't want to pay the liquidator anything. The strata titles should be handed over for free."
The residents, despite going to as far as the Prime Minister's Department for help, are still in a quandary.
"The liquidator was appointed by the government, so why doesn't anyone from the government monitor his poor management? Isn't there a clause to remove this person who isn't performing? The value of our condo has depreciated badly," said an irate resident.
Another resident, Major Kirpal Singh said an annual report on the management of the maintenance funds was not issued.
"Recently our water bills were not paid and our supply was cut.
"On many occasions, the lifts are out of order, the gym, squash and tennis court non-functional and the grass uncut. The main sewerage tank is left open and the waste goes directly into Sungai Gombak," said Kirpal.
Resident Fatimah Reynold said she had to spend RM30,000 to repair her unit because of termite infestation. She also believed the entire building was infested and the management should do something "to justify all the maintenance I've been paying."
She said: "We are furious at the poor maintenance of this place. Why should we pay when our condo is practically falling apart?"
Many residents have stopped paying the service charges because there has been no sign of any maintenance in the past few years.
As a last resort, they plan to seek the help of Titiwangsa MP Dr Lo'lo' Ghazali.
The secretary of the National House Buyers Association Chang Kim Loong said the liquidator must distribute the strata titles within 12 months of receiving them. If he fails to do so, he can be prosecuted under the Strata Title Act 1985.
Chang said in this case, the residents must file an official complaint through the Land and Mines Department.
He also advised the residents to meet with the Insolvency Department to review the liquidator's contract.
The liquidator could not be contacted yesterday for comment.
MORE STORIES
|
