Hi,

I need some advice here. Recently I bought a house - a subsale apartment in Penang.

I am not too sure if this happens in KLs or Johors or other places. However, when I was planning for my renovation in the unit with a Interior Designer, someone knock on my door saying that they are the Exclusive Renovator for the entire Taman (~1000 units). As a result, all renovations and designs has to go through them.

I knew there are such things happen for new projects previously, especially those with lesser known developers. However, I am quite surprised that there are such party approaching us for a 15 years old property from a reputable developer. For now I am still politely rejecting them saying that I am not planning for any major renovations. The previous owner renovation is actually good enough to move in with maybe RM2-3k touch up.

Things got escalated last Sunday when I was bringing an old LCD TV to the unit. While I was about to step into lift, a person from that Exclusive Renovator stopped me and say something like I cannot move heavy items without their "permission". I was quite fed up that time but still apologize and promise to inform management body on Monday that there will be some items movement in the next few days for my unit. The guy still insist I leave, though I started to ignore him. While I thought everything is OK, the guy brings two foreign security guards to my unit and say something mildly threatening like "Be careful of him (me), he will damage the apartments"

Today I took half day off to visit the management office. The officer in charge made it very clear that there is no such thing as Exclusive Renovator and we have the rights to pick our own designer and renovator. The officer in charge also insists that owner have the rights to move items anytime they want (recommended to use the fire lift though). He did confess that he knows about such parties existence and police report had been made multiple times.

With the assurance, I left the premises. And, what do you know, the booth for the so called "Exclusive Renovator" is right across the street, with no signage or even logo, just two tables and chairs.

I don't want any trouble as the units is for two retirees. Any advice on how to handle such parties should they are looking for troubles again?

I know something might be too sensitive to speak out loud here. Feel free to PM me if you got any best known method on handling such situation.

Thank you in advance.

no there shouldn't be an exclusive renovator. some of these renovators operate like gangster. they'd threaten other contractors who 'step' into their territory. if you find there are contractors who refuse to quote you after they know where's your location, then you know what happened

Hey that is a good checklist for homebuyers - see if renovators willing to quote

it's happens here in klang valley, so i won't be surprised if it happens in Penang