In order to prevent fraud, property developers must set a benchmark for their deposit payments and other related fees when they sell a house, according to Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan.
He said this in response to an allegation that a developer in Johor Bahru is manipulating residential prices. “This issue caught the attention of internet users after the case of the house buyer was spread through the WhatsApp application and other social media since 25 September.”
“I have instructed the ministry’s secretary-general to investigate the matter and he has met with the complainant to get more details,” Abdul Rahman told the media yesterday after unveiling Universiti Malaysia Pahang’s project on Green Technology Building Innovation.
The event was also graced by UMP’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Daing Nasir Ibrahim and the Chairman of its Board of Directors Datuk Mohd Hilmey Mohd Taib.
“We have also got a reaction from a representative of the developer. This case is due to a misunderstanding and confusion over the cost that has to be paid by the buyer for the Bumiputera and non-Bumiputera lots,” he noted.
Notably, all buyers of Bumiputera lots have to shoulder a developer’s service charges like stamp duties for the mortgage and memorandum of transfer, as well as attorney’s fees for sales & purchase agreement, explained Abdul Rahman.
While non-Bumiputera buyers are not required to pay these fees, they have to fork out a higher deposit, he added.
Farah Wahida, Editor of PropertyGuru, wrote this story. To contact her about this or other stories email farahwahida@propertyguru.com.my
