Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has launched a four-point standard operating procedure (SOP) guideline to enhance the management and maintenance of stratified properties.

Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan unveiled the guideline by DBKL's Commissioner of Buildings (COB) at the Kuala Lumpur Strata Community Convention 2018 held at Bandar Tun Razak on Thursday (Oct 11).

"The four-point SOP addresses some of the common complaints the COB has been receiving lately and can be referred to by parties that manage stratified properties, such as Joint Management Body (JMB), Management Corporation (MC), developer and subsidiary MC (Sub-MC)," he said.

"The points cover: confiscating moveable property by JMB/ MC/ Sub-MC to collect owner's arrears as a measure besides court and tribunal action, lift maintenance by JMB/ MC, short-term stay activity such as Airbnb, and general meeting procedures to establish Sub-MC in KL."

The four points are in addition to the existing guidelines outlined under the Strata Management Act 2013 (Act 757).

The convention was aimed at giving information and raising awareness on the importance of proper management of stratified buildings and the need for individual strata titles.

"The development of stratified buildings would have no problems if the developer fulfilled its responsibility by applying for strata titles at the Land and Mines Office," said Nor Hisham.

"However, problems arise if such applications are not done or if the developer has gone bankrupt and owes a lot of money.

"The absence of strata titles means it would make property inheritance difficult and complicate the transfer process. The liquidator will also impose an additional 2% of the purchase price to get the transfer consent," he said.

Nor Hisham said the convention was necessary as many JMB and MC committees did not fully understand their roles and responsibilities.

"When problems such as faulty lifts arise, people will refer to DBKL when the matter is under a JMB or MC's jurisdiction as they have the allocation," he said.

"Today we will explain in detail the SOP, guideline and committee's roles as per Act 757, so they can understand and brief their fellow residents."

According to DBKL's statistics, there are 5,877 stratified developments in KL as of September 2018, with 3,106 managed by MC, 644 by JMB, 868 by developer, one by administrator, one by management agent appointed by COB, and 1,257 by other management.

DBKL, through the COB, is trying to assist committees in areas that are having problems in applying for strata titles, with 303 under the Malaysia Insolvency Department's supervision and 121 under external liquidators.

The SOP guidelines can be downloaded via https://bit.ly/2e8f0MM