KUALA LUMPUR, April 30 — The National Housing Rental Association has asked the government to enact the Residential Tenancy Act immediately to ensure that the rights of homeowners and tenants are always protected in Malaysia.
Its chairman Prakash P. Kalivanan said the act is necessary to address various issues arising from the absence of clear rules and efficient legal channels, such as tribunals, to resolve disputes faced by the parties concerned.
“Among the cases that often occur is the refusal of the homeowner to return the deposit, raising the rental rate during the contract period, and terminating the rental period at will.
“On the other hand, the tenant fails to pay the set rental rate and renovates the house without the permission of the owner. If there is a specific act, then the confusion between homeowners and tenants can be resolved peacefully without incurring high costs,” he told Bernama recently.
Prakash also suggested that a special act be created to regulate short-term residential rentals (short-term rentals) like homestays so the government has clear rules on short-term rentals and valid registration and licensing for homeowners to provide services.
He cited instances where People’s Housing Projects (PPR) owners were discovered to be renting out their houses to foreigners willing to pay high rent.
“The house was then filled with as many people as possible, creating an unfavourable atmosphere, house damage, elevator damage, and social problems around the housing area,” Prakash said.
In this regard, he also requested the government take proactive action by making rules or regulations for houses built using government subsidies so they are not allowed to be re-rented to any party.
The act of re-renting violates the policy of subsidised sales, which was originally meant to allow members of the B40 group to own their own homes.
Previously, the rights of tenants and residential owners were protected through the Contracts Act 1950, which was general and not comprehensive.
The Residential Tenancy Act to protect the interests and rights of tenants and home owners is expected to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat this year.
It is expected to provide more comprehensive protection to tenants and home owners and no longer need to go through long and complicated court procedures to resolve disputes between tenants and home owners.
— Bernama
