The tiff between neighbours has got the media, City Hall and a Member of Parliament to mediate when it was first highlighted on April 14.

At the centre is the owner of the renovated house who expressed shock over the furore as no one raised a fuss before work started three months ago at Jalan Changkat Datuk Sulaiman.

Yesterday, Segambut MP Datuk Dr Tan Kee Kwong mediated talks between the two parties. Also present were two City Hall Segambut branch officers.

"The architect has all the paperwork which was approved by City Hall. As far as legality is concerned, the owner has not gone against the law," said Dr Tan.

"Extensive renovations that caused inconvenience to the immediate neighbour are not confined to this locality. It is an issue which is affecting many neighbourhoods in the city centre."

On the issue of consent from neighbours to renovate or rebuild a certain section of the home, he said City Hall will only hold a hearing if the work involves a structure that supports a higher density of residents.

"This can only be presided if the immediate neighbour is building structures like cluster homes, apartments, flats or condominiums. Then, the owner has to ask for consent from his or her immediate neighbour."

He said City Hall has approved businessman Ang Thang Chee's home for renovation after his application complied with its ruling.

Ang said he was shocked by the reaction from the neighbourhood. "I would have called off the renovation if the matter was raised to me. No protest was made, so I thought everything was all right."

He said his family-of-five will move in after a Certificate of Fitness is issued by City Hall. "Right now, the renovation is almost complete. All that is left is some touch-up work."

He said work started three months ago after City Hall approved his application to carry out extension and renovation work on his house.