Developer should get CF for condo
owners
19/04/1999 NST By K Rahim, Subang JayaI am a purchaser
of a condominium lot in Kuala Lumpur and have just been handed the keys to my
unit.
What seems to be unfair, however, is that despite the keys to the apartment
being given, I am not allowed to move in until the CF (certificate of fitness
for occupation) has been granted.
And the developers are unable to tell me when the CF will be ready. I understand
that a few years ago, the developers had a duty to ensure that the CF as ready
before keys were handed over to the house owners. However, the position seems
to be different now as the developer does not seem to be under any compulsion
to ensure the CF has been obtained before the keys are handed over.
I speak on behalf of many condominium purchasers who feel that this is grossly
unfair. Once the keys have been given, the developer is no longer under any
obligation to the purchaser or liable for late delivery.
The handing over of the keys without a CF has no meaning for the purchaser as
he cannot occupy his home. In addition, the purchaser is also warned that he
cannot carry out any renovation work to the unit which, according to the developer,
includes installation of kitchen cabinets or grilles. So, the purchaser cannot
even prepare the unit for occupation.
I would strongly urge the authorities to review this matter as I think that
condominium owners are getting a raw deal. As the party responsible for building
the unit, the developer is in a much better position than the purchaser to liaise
with the authorities and ensure that the CF is delivered promptly.
Washing their hands of the matter leaves the owner in the lurch. Even though
the keys to his new home have been delivered, the purchaser has to service his
housing loan and carry on renting a house elsewhere.
At the end of the day, the developer gets to have his cake and eat it too. The
developer does not feel any urgency to ensure the CF is delivered as payments
due would have been released by the bank.
This situation is most unfair and the authorities should not allow this practice
to continue.
K.Rahim, Subang Jaya
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