HIGH-RISE apartment dwellers can file a claim with the Consumer
Tribunal if their property management companies fail to provide good
quality service, including efficient security measures.
Penang High-rise Unit Owners Association president Assoc Prof Dr Tiun
Ling Ta said that residents, who had been paying their maintenance fees
promptly, had the right to complain to the tribunal if they had proof of
negligence by the management companies.
Citing an example of a case in May, Dr Tiun said the management
corporation involved was ordered to pay RM260 in compensation to an
apartment dweller, whose motorcycle was stolen from her apartment's
parking compound.
“The complainant provided evidence of negligence on the part of the
management corporation, which had allocated expenses for security purposes
but there was no security guards on duty at the apartment,” he said.
Dr Tiun said security woes, such as break-ins and motorcycle thefts
were prevalent in high-rise buildings because there were no proper
guidelines on security measures in many housing schemes.
“The government should draw up and enforce guidelines on the
responsibilities of management companies which should also detail the
tasks of security guards,” he said.
Dr Tiun said management companies which often cited poor collection of
maintenance fees as a reason for their lack of security measures should
not penalise good paymasters by compromising on the quality of their
services.
“He said management companies could, instead, exercise their rights by
taking legal action against defaulters.
Dr Tiun said management companies should also be transparent in keeping
the residents informed about their expenditure and services.
“For example, the management companies can put up notices on details of
the contract with security firms so that residents themselves can have
their say in the security measures for their own homes,” he added.
