House buyers awarded compensation
01/08/2005 The Star By Sira Habibu

THIRTY-NINE Taman Bersatu house buyers in Jitra, Kedah, were recently awarded compensation totalling about RM337,000 to repair their units.

Consumers Association of Kedah (Cake) president Yusoff Ismail said they were among 140 buyers who filed their complaints with the House Buyers Claims Tribunal.

“The first batch of 56 complainants was summoned to the tribunal hearing in Penang recently. The remaining 84 cases have yet to be heard.

“The tribunal ordered the developer to pay compensation of RM8,560.60 each to 38 house buyers. A corner unit owner was granted RM11,700 compensation.

“Eight buyers had agreed to allow the developer to repair their units,” he said, adding that three buyers failed to turn up for the hearing.

Yusoff also said six cases were thrown out because the buyers did not follow procedures.

He said the buyers had claimed that sub-standard materials were used in building the houses.

“They also highlighted technical defects. They complained of roofs leaking and the use of low quality wood for window and door frames,” he said.

He said there were some 100 more buyers who had themselves to blame for not getting compensation, as they did not file their complaints with the Tribunal.

“Only those who lodged complaints within a year after obtaining the certificate of fitness stand a chance to seek compensation.

“For the others, it is too late to make claims as the defect liability period is over,” he said.