SHAH ALAM, July 3 — Owners of Rumah Selangorku properties who are dissatisfied with their maintenance charges may lodge complaints with the Commissioner of Buildings (COB) for investigation and action under Section 52(6) of the Strata Management Act 2013 (Act 757).
The Selangor Housing and Property Board's (LPHS) acting executive director Mohd Hafiz Hassan said they review every complaint received, but do not have the authority to determine or amend the maintenance charges imposed by developers, joint management bodies (JMB), or management corporations (MC).
“LPHS does not determine maintenance charge rates or impose a ceiling rate for Rumah Selangorku projects. Therefore, all related complaints will be referred to the COB or the relevant authority under the jurisdiction of Act 757,” he told Media Selangor.
Hafiz was commenting on a viral issue involving owners of the Rumah Selangorku Idaman Cahaya 1 project, who alleged they were being charged high maintenance fees despite the development being classified as affordable housing, raising concerns about the long-term affordability of homeownership.
The determination of maintenance charges is governed by Act 757 and depends on the stage of strata development management.
“While the development remains under the management of the developer, the maintenance charges are determined based on a reasonable estimate of the costs required for the maintenance and management of common property, and are apportioned according to the share units allocated to each parcel.
“If there are disputes or complaints regarding the maintenance charges imposed, purchasers may submit complaints to the COB for investigation and action under Section 12(7) of Act 757,” he said.
Hafiz added that once a JMB has been established, the maintenance charges are determined based on reasonable estimates of maintenance expenditure and apportioned according to the share units allocated to each parcel, as provided under Sections 21(1)(b) and 25(3) of Act 757.
After strata titles have been issued, the responsibility for determining the maintenance charges is transferred to the MC under Section 60(3)(a) of the same Act.
“If owners are dissatisfied with the maintenance charges or the management of maintenance services, they may lodge complaints with the COB, who has the authority to investigate and take appropriate action under Section 52(6) of Act 757,” he said.
Hafiz noted that maintenance charges are not determined by the housing category but by the actual costs of maintaining and managing the common property.
Factors influencing maintenance charges include the design and size of the development, the number of blocks and storeys, the number of lifts, the size of the common property areas, the type and quantity of facilities provided, the number of units sharing the maintenance costs, and the estimated annual operating expenses.
“As such, two Rumah Selangorku projects may have different maintenance charge rates even though both fall under the affordable housing category, as each development has different physical characteristics, facilities, and operating costs.
“However, maintenance charges are not fixed. Once a JMB has been established, owners, through the JMB, may determine and review the maintenance charges based on the actual expenditure required to manage and maintain the common property, as provided under Sections 21(1)(b) and 25(3) of Act 757.
“Once the MC has been established, it also has the authority to determine and review the maintenance charges based on current financial requirements and apportion them according to the share units allocated to each parcel, as provided under Section 60(3)(a) of Act 757," he said.
Hafiz emphasised that property owners are not merely payers of maintenance charges but also play an important role through the JMB or MC in determining maintenance budgets and reasonable maintenance charges for the benefit of all owners.
