Planning to renovate a 30 year old double storey terrace house in Penang.

Thinking of extending the back portion of the house up to the backlane-ground floor and the upstairs. About 350ft per floor.

Would I need to get an architect to draw up and submit the plans for MPPP's approval?
MPPP does not have standard renovation plans for sale.
Would also appreciate an estimated cost for obtaining the building plan approvals and contacts of people who can do that for us.

You will need an architect approved plan to submit to MPPP.
I hired a draughtsman to draw for me, get signedoff from ah architect, and submit to MPPP.
Price was RM2700 for a 20x5 extension. Not sure if the price correlates with the extension size.
If you are interested, I can PM you his contact.

yes, would appreciate his contact. thanks.

you may direct look for the architect inside the MPPP,
they will draw and submit it ..
our way is, we pay for the man who work inside the department,
we nego with the man who control and checking on the existing Taman-taman,
we did't take back the deposit,
as the project is small, mostly they will not hv time to checking on you, unless there is big project.
if you wan everything is go throught legal, sometime they are fast - week or 1 month time,
sometime slow, take 2 month, that mean your renovation only can start after you get the permit.

thank you chooyang. appreciate your reply.
how about a brand new house reno? if I would like to build a concrete enclosure for the gas tank at the back of the house, over the drain, would I need approval? am also thinking of extending the upstairs back rooms out to the balcony. directly below the balcony is the downstairs kitchen

where is your house ?
any renovation also need permit (if you scare will kena saman),
some ppl just direct renovate and maybe "under" for the person who in charge
mostly if small project, then your neighbour no complaint it, then problem will not come,
if big project, then mostly when MPPP man is drive through, they will come out from the car and check it.
we will not wait until they approve, we will start work once submit.
the place i live 10 out of 9 house will extend back kitchen, but no one have permit ..

additional advantage of getting permit, if you sale next time, all the reno has permit will up the house value.

are you sure about that? Did you hear that from your real estate agent?

this house is in Balik Pulau. I called Balik Pulau MPPP and that's what they said too-need permit. but my contractor tells me no need. it is a new project so most of my neighbours have not moved in yet.

Even if new project and no neighbour to complain, If the authorities wants to kacau, they can. If it is stated that permit is required, then it is required. You may be able to get away with the permit if you are lucky... but, then...

If it's a new project, then you definately need approval because they'll occasionally monitor the area. You'll get caught.

Those enforcement guys that goes around new housing area are on the look out for some side income. So, those that do not have the reno permit will be their "customers"

each area has assign a enforcement guy,
so we mostly deal with the guy who check on that area ..
then problem will done .
but if big project, as i say, better get permit ...
coz it more attract as compare to small project.
everybody drive through will have a look .. .
so maybe problem will occur ..

if we do reno without approval will there be any problems during selling?

depend on the extend of the renovation work done. If the structure is illegal, then can be a problem. If it is within the local authorities guideline, then should not be a problem

someone told me that the enforcement guys come during the reno. Once completed, they won't come kacau anymore. is it true?

Normally won't. Unless you reno is something illegal/ someone complained. That's what triggers the "interest"

I want to know this too...thinking of building a concrete enclosure for the gas tank at the back of my house as well. Do one need to go apply permit from local majlis perbandaraan?

If just to built a enclosure for the gas tank, no need permit la...

small small reno mostly ppl wont go for permit la ..
as you can see at the whole malaysia,
how many house reno really have permit ???
haha ..
as those really really big reno only go for permit ..

Understood. Thanks guys. Usually gas cylinder is stationed under the stove but I don't feel that safe doing that so decide to put my unit outside.

This post has been edited by svage98: Jan 4 2012, 07:22 PM

Outside does not mean safe, when hot weather your enclosure need to have proper shade, you need to also make sure properly lock if not someone will steal it. Also if you going long holidayneed to go out to take out the head.

Depending on your house.
If you still have a backyard, you don't need any permit to build a concrete enclosure for your gas tank.
However, if your house is already extended till the back lane, then you can't apply for a permit either as the gas tank enclosure will be in public property. No approval will be given.

So either way, you won't have a permit.
Seeing that many houses are using this, I guess you can safely do it.

Since you are selling your service as a ID/contractor, I don't think you should be encouraging people to go against the law.
It makes you look unprofessional. Just my opinion.

Thank you for your good advice. Yes my house still got back yard so I guess I don't need permit then.

This post has been edited by svage98: Jan 5 2012, 04:27 PM

just got back fr seeing a draughtsman. cost for drawing, architect's certification and submission, RM3k. gas tank if constructed over the drain behind the house on council land, is not allowed. wish MPPP is like MPSP with ready plans for sale at minimal cost. 3k is worth it for the 30 year old terrace reno but for the minimal reno of the new house, it sure is not. my reno cost for the new house is only RM3k. hmm.

appreciated your opinion,
but your small opinion also have abit meaning of "durn" to me...

1) I not encourage ppl to against the law
2) can you define the term "small small reno" - building fish pool go for permit? extend 10'x3' awning go for permit? extend a 6'x5' dog house go for permit?
3) If my customer willing to submit the plan, I am very Happy to do so for them
4) But the fact is most of the customer I deal have another thinking that you understand
5) In fact, for most of the house extension, my first question is alwasy "You want submit plan or not" ..

So please do not judge my professional as you and me do not know each other.
If you not happy with my answer, I can show you all the previous year quotation that I have include the submission cost to customer, and you may direct contact my customer to ask them whether is I encourage them not to submit or they telling me don't need to submit ..

Thank....