Housebuyers sore over defects

24/11/2007 The Star

TAMAN Tunku Sarina housebuyers in Alor Star, are calling on the developer and contractor to rectify the defects in their newly built units.

Housebuyer Nor Saidah Saidin said she was devastated to see the condition of her new house when she recently returned from Britain to renovate the house.

“I pay so much (over RM300,000) for the house but the quality is very bad,” she told a press conference at the new housing area in Bandar Darulaman in Jitra, about 27km from Alor Star.

Nor Saidah bought the house during a Malaysia My Second Home promotion in Britain.

“When I came here, I felt devastated upon seeing the condition of the house. The roof leaks during a downpour, the walls and doors are uneven,” she complained.

Nor Saidah, who is working in Britain, said she had to take unpaid leave to settle the problem.

“I had submitted a letter of complaint to Bina DarulAman Berhad (BDB) in May this year.

“I also sent copies of the letter to Mentri Besar, Kedah Development Corporation (PKNK), BDB Construction Bhd, and Darulaman Realty,” she said.

Nor Saidah said she did not receive any feedback.

“They did not even acknowledge if they had received my letter,” she said, adding tha other residents from Taman Tunku Sarina were also facing similar problems.

“My house is in the worst condition compared with the others,” she added.

Another buyer, Nazri Mohd claimed the units were not built according to specification.

“After I had complained, action was taken to rectify the defects including leaking roof but the problems recurred after two months,” he said, adding that he felt shortchanged.

“Plaster stains are still visible on the porch of my house,” he said.

Another resident, Zainal Yot, claimed that he spent RM7,000 to repair the defects in his unit.

The buyers also said that there were 4,000 Muslim residents in the vicinity but there was still no surau.

BDB officials could not be contacted for comment.