I think the access (entry) sensor needs to be adjusted to make it more sensitive. The exit is ok. We should make a complain to the management about this. If your car is tinted, you may have difficulty opening the gate unless you wind down your car window.

My unit is great in terms of quality except some cosmetic issues and this is expected. Anyone moving in yet?

I think we need to understand the whole issue better. No structural extension on strata titled property is correct but it is on buildings only. All buildings are stratified titles. It is not allowed to make extension on buildings for obvious reasons because it will affect the intergrity of the building structure. As for Anggun 2, it is a stratified development but it is on landed property. Right now, there is an absence of Act or Regulation on Strata titled landed property and the parlimen is suppose to debate on this and come out with an Act but it is not done.

MPS has not jurisdiction over this because they don't know what to do in the absence of the new Act on stratified landed properties. I have been advised by Mr. Jamilchevan - Project manager of Hong Bee Land on extension of houses for Anggun 2. He said that we need to first submit a plan to the developer for approval and then a copy of the same plan to MPS. MPS may not take action on our submission due to the above reason but at least we submit to them and they cannot fault us if they try to be difficult next time. All extension MUST be done properly, i.e. getting an architect and professional engineers to sign off all drawings and plans. failing which we are then asking for trouble next time.

Actually at the present moment according to the existing Act, MPS has no jurisdiction over stratified development because everything within the development/the parcel is the responsibility of the developer. This include road works, rubbish collection, drainage, sewage, upkeeping, etc. Any extension or renovation to the property (in this case a landed property) will be the responsibility of the developer to approve. This is essentially the essence of stratified development.

Any extension done to Anggun 2 houses must comply to the local bylaws and with this there is no reason for MPS to find trouble with you. For example, all the civil/structural design must be signed off by a professional engineer. This is to ensure that there is no unsafe structure being erected. Once we have done everything complying to the local building bylaws, there is no reasons for MPS to find trouble but if work done not according to local bylaws, we can expect trouble later.

With regards to back extension, the bylaws states that an exit must be provided for emergency/fire in the case of terrace houses but Anggun 2 are all semi-dees and escape can be done via the side door. Technically, one can extend the back right to the separating wall with your neighbour. There again being good neighbours, one should consult and have agreement with their neighbours before any work.

I am not an expert in this area but I have done various discussions on this topic. The best would be to sort this out with the developer and get their official instruction.

Guys,

No. 9 simply stated that hacking of RC structure is not permissible. What they are referring to is no hacking or modification on existing RC structure. This is obvious because if people start to hack the existing structure, it will weaken the overall house structure and will affect the neighbour unit as well. This is definately cannot be allowed because of safety reason. In any case, if any extension is needed, your architect/structural engineer will consider all this. It is very important that any extension be designed and endorsed by a professional engineer. This is to safeguard your investment and not live in a possible danger of collapse house. Many people engage Indonesians or unqualified contractors to perform extension and they will get into trouble later on. Cracks will appear and possible endangering the occupants. Also, they will get into trouble with the authority if the extension is not done according to local bylaws.

My advice is to get a proper contractor with approved design and structural calculations.

Hi hman,

Yes, they allow extension but need to submit a architectural layout drawing to them for approval. Please be ensure that the overall design of the house do not run after the extension as we are bund by the Deed of Mutual Covenant to maintain the existing design, paint colour, etc.

I went to have a look today. Which corner lot are you talking about? Is it an extension or just renovation? Since the lot has ample land, it is logical to extend. Maybe it is already in the owner's plan when he bought the lot.

By the way, there is also a unit I saw with a old design sliding grille for the entrance. The guard told me that someone complain to the management about the ugliness of this unit and I think it is not fair to complain afterall it is the owner's choice no matter how ugly it is. Having said this, I also saw some units install their air conds with the piping expose. Now this is really ugly but there again one should not complain.

Do you know what is the going price for intermediate lot now?

For intermediate lot with 14 ft land at the side, you will need to check what is the bylaw requirement with regards to extension. I think one are not allowed to extend until the separating wall with your neighbours. Also the back portion, it is allowed to have a non-permanent roof i.e. a awning/shades without full wall. Once you have a full wall, it is considered a permanent structure and this is not allowed under the building bylaw. This is to prevent migration of fire to the back neighbour in any event.

For corner lots, it is different altogether as they have the land and also for some corner lots, there are no houses behind.

We need to be careful on renovation and extension because we do not want the authority to find fault with us resulting in summonses and tearing down.

One thing to highlight is that during the construction stage, I noticed pilings were done on some of the units, some were without pilings. Base on my civil engineer friend explaination, the units that have piling means that the soil is soft. Another thing is that for new development like Anggun 2, the whole project site has been filled with new soil and the soil will not settle until many years later.

This being the case, it is extremely important that when you do extention make sure that you engage a proper architect and civil engineer to design and calculate the foundation base on the soil condition. A soil test must be carried out to determine the soil condition. Soft soil means that the foundation must be deeper, bigger and bigger steel gratings. It will cost more for sure but you have guarantee and safety. Do not engage a small time contractor or Indon to perform such a major work. The depth and size of the foundation and size of steel grating are very important element to make sure that the structure is safe. Too many mishap/collapse happened because people are ignorant, cost conscious and cut corners. Small time contractors and Indons will tell you all this is not necessary and convince you of their experience but it will be foolish to accept their explaination. How can one base on their experience if they do not perform the due diligent on foundation design and calculation? Engineering is engineering, there are based on fact and calculation not experience. One cannot tell the soil conditon if you do not perform soil test.

They will quote you the cheapest package but the owner will end up suffering because of cracks and worst case house collapse. Don't think we should sacrifice safety of our family for this.

I heard that renovation for intermediate lots are beign forzen meantime waiting for green light from developer? It seems that the developer is getting 3 designs approved by their architect and people have 3 choices.

I thought the strata title law not passed and MPS has no jusrisdiction? Why are they summoning and what are they summoning? As long as you obtained approval from management and land office, you can renovate. What did the management say?

What do you mean by "did not regret to have started earlier"?

If there is no current law on landed strata title properties yet, on what basis that MPS summon? Their summon is due to no permit for renovation? How can the owners submit plans for permit if MPS do not have jurisdiction in the absence of landed strata title law? They expect us to wait for them? In the absence of the law, how can they summon? This is ridiculous!

Another thing on the RA committee elected. They should hold a meeting soon with all the residence since so many have moved in. They need to introduce themselves and brief the residence on their plans. IMHO, the committee elected must be living in Anggun 2 and not an investor (not staying there) because how can they know the problems the residence are facing and how can they manage the community if they are not staying there? One of the problem I observed is that the strata title and Deeds of Mutual Covenant signed is no changes are allowed to be made on the design and colour of the house. There are a few houses seen not complying to this and what does the committee and management do before we have a "rojak" Anggun 2?

Well, the DMC signed stated so. It should be enforced otherwise we will have difficulties on controlling it. IF they don't control, other restrictions stated in the DMC will be breached. I am supporting that the items in the DMC to be enforced but with some variations to it.

There are many restrictions in the DMC that does not applied to the landed properties, eg no pets, no drying of clothes at the front of the house, no parking at the road curbs, etc. The DMC can be modified to allow these to be done with certain guidelines and variations. How can the residences not allowed to dry clothes in front of the house? Why pets not allowed if the pets are kept within the compound of the house and not disturbing the neighbours? If a residence have a few cars, what are they going to do?

This is where the RA need to delibrate this with the residences and make it clear on the dos and don'ts.