Nightmare for property managers

The Star 01/09/2005 By NIK KHUSAIRI IBRAHIM

SOME high-rise unit owners in Penang refuse to settle their monthly maintenance fees by giving the excuse that their grievances are not looked into, according to a property manager.

Robert Bench property management senior executive D. Guru said if the trend was allowed to continue, it would be an uphill task to provide quality services.

“We need a comprehensive law to check such irresponsible owners who refuse to pay their dues,” he said, adding that the company was managing 40 apartments and condominiums in the state.

Guru said the growing number of irresponsible residents posed a nightmare to property managers.

“Some 50% of high-rise unit owners are not bothered to abide by the existing guidelines and practices pertaining to living in apartments, condominiums and flats,” he said.

He said most of the problems at high-rise buildings existed long before the management companies took over from the developers.

“Such problems should have been addressed during the guarantee period after obtaining the certificate of occupancy.

“But many residents do not bother reading the sales and purchase agreement. When the problems become unbearable, they start making noise,” he said, adding that the management corporations and management companies had to bear the brunt.

He said most of the issues raised were long-standing ones.

“The problems keep growing. We have problems such as faulty equipment, faded car park lines and fading paints on the building,” he said when asked for comments on the issue.

Guru said property managers had their own procedures to follow when managing high-rise buildings.

“We have to prepare comprehensive reports every three months. Whatever actions we take must comply with the existing laws,” he said.

Often, soon after being appointed by the management corporation, the property managers would find themselves bogged down with problems, such as unsettled debts and bills and insufficient funds.

“We have come across one case in which the residents owed as much as RM200,000 in maintenance fees. No wonder quality services could not be provided,” he said.

He said property managers had a tough task to put everything back in order.

“Every high-rise building has different sets of problems.

“But one common problem we face is residents’ refusal to pay the maintenance fees,” he said.