Thanks for sharing your opinion and helping me widen my options and thinking.

Previously, I have hired a lawyer to reply the 1st demand letter (basically going point by point to explain / counter their claims), but they just replied 1 liner after that deny everything we said.

I have google latent defect previously too but not too much cases in Malaysia. Only a few between developer and buyer (as rightly mention above, is between buyer & seller). However I am not well verse in law, so I don't dare to assume anything. Base on lawyer advice, he don't think it can be applicable (however, this lawyer is not specialise in this area, I only know him, don't have other lawyer contact).

My worse fear is go to court, as even if he lose, he may cause me to spend a lot on legal matters. He did mention he plan to go all out and ensure this thing affect my CTOS, and leave a black mark on my records. And next time I will face prob applying loan or other things.

Now is even I pay him (even I feel I dont deserve to) he still can do all this, what for I pay him at all? I want to reach a settlement, but he wants too much. Maybe really have to go to court? (I want to avoid this)

Further elaboration on the outside cement part, since I redo my cement, my area is slightly higher than his (previously flat). This cause sand to accumulate at their side and is one of their complaint also. And I can see they purposely leave that specific area and refuse to sweep it, causing all the leaves and sand to clog up the hole and causing water ponding.

Pls note between now and previous there is just a small drainage hole, I did not cover up or anything. The first time it clog, I asked him if I can enlarge it, he said don't make it too big. This process go thru 2 times because we want to avoid too big and ugly drainage hole. However, if they dont sweep the place it will still clog up as the area has many trees.

Will I be responsible for this sand problem on their place (because my place is around 0.5 inch higher after repaving) so the sand doesnt come to my side anymore) or is it reasonable to expect some minimal care and sweeping once in a while. In fact I couldn't even foresee this kind of stupid sand can be a problem like this. My intention just to repave and renew the area outside my house, which also filled with crack lines.