Sunday, May 31, 2009

The Perils of a Mediator

In recent weeks, CAHC has been involved in an MC problem where we were invited in to assist as a “mediator”.
However, in this particular MC, the problems between the two factions of the Council Members have gone to a very personal level where common sense appears to have gone down the gutter. Thus, even the “mediators” are targeted.
If the mediator says something that seem to favour one side, the other would lodge complaints to whoever that will listen, against the mediator. The “mediators” involved here includes the Wakil Rakyat: complaints have been lodge with the party headquarters and even a threat to complaint to the Mentri Besar. Other “mediator” includes the local council where a lawyer’s letter was sent to the council by one faction.
The CAHC who is also a “mediator” has not been spared from these complaints either. Complaints against the representative of CAHC have been made to the COB and to the wakil rakyat. The complainant is of course the faction that felt that the CAHC representative had not spoken in their favour.
Here I would like to state that in all instances of people problems within either an MC or JMB/JMC, CAHC will always maintain a neutral stand; not siding either side. We will maintain our objectives of protecting the rights of the majority of owners.
Thus in the above case, we will stand firm in protecting the rights of the majority of the owners; whatever happens. Thus the owners should have no fear that we will abandon them. We will continue to stand by them and give our advice accordingly; even when we face verbal abuse and insults from unappreciative owners / council – committee members.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Christy continues ... where is the justice

Why is it that highrise dwellers are forced to pay commercial rates for electricity and water for the common areas. It is a residential complex with some shoplots which are non operational. It is understandable if commercial units are charged commercial rates but why the common areas are also commercial rates?

If there there is a flaw in the law then it must be made right for the benefit of our grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

Christy Wrote......assessment rates

Dear Sir

As highrise dwellers we encounter having to pay a very high assessment fee compared to landed properties.

Poor people are now forced to dwell at highrises because landed properties are so exhobitant and yet our assessments many times more that landed properties.

Why is this so.

cahc replies:

please note condo/apartment owners do not pay higher rates: it is just that for the same rate we pay, we do not get the same services from our local council. For example: we still need to hire our own garbage collectors, people to clean the drains within our compound; we pay for our own lighting within our own compound.

The "higher" rates mentioned would probably be that you are paying commercial rates for your residential property. This is because what you bought is NOT residential but is "Commercial" property: ie Service Apartments.

The plot of land where your building is constructed is most likely to be commercial land. The developer chose to build residential property instead plus perhaps some shop lots. Thus you would be paying for commercial rates for your assessment and utilities.

Thus you were infact ill advised by your legal advisor when you signed the Sales and Purchase Agreement!

***Please note that together with the Voice of the People, APAC had managed to convince the MBPJ to reduce the assessment rates for Highrise by 25%; ie they now pay 6% instead of the previous 8% of the rateable value.