Before Doing Renovation Works
With the recent furore about illegally built palaces and business premises on state land, one aspect we should take a good look at is getting the proper approvals for the renovation works done to your homes.
By and large, a lot of people carry out renovations to their landed units without any approvals from the local council. If you want to know, you can ask your neighbours who did renovate their houses - it’ll give you a good picture of just how many. Sometimes, the house owner entrusts the renovation contractor to get the paperwork done - more often than not, he doesn’t do it.
These days, local council enforcement is getting stricter. Gone are the days that “it’s OK if no one complains about it”, nowadays, the council can immediately instruct you to tear down any illegal structures if it infringes on the regulations.
The Star highlighted some interviews with councillors regarding this issue, and they also issued some guidelines for people thinking of doing some works to their houses (source here):
BEFORE SUBMITTING PLANS
- Obtain a letter of consent from the neighbours if extension or renovation works involve house borders or the front facade.
- Appoint a registered architect (or one from the council).
- Appoint a consultant engineer if extension/renovation works involve concrete works.
- Consult the Building Control Department (of MBPJ) if extension/renovation works involved is 50% or more of the built-up area of the premises.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
- Four copies of the proposed extension and renovation work plan
- A copy of the structure plan
- A copy of the latest assessment receipt
- A copy of certificate of fitness
- A copy of the sales and purchase agreement
Some councils have differing requirements, so the best is to check with them before starting any work. Remember, not everyone of us can afford to pay the fine of RM24,000 for not having an approval… 
Am in Damansara (MPPJ) and my neighbour is renovating, general questions :
i) Are the contractors allow to worked on sat and sundays?
ii)Are they work only fm 9am to 5pm?
iii)Can I specifically asked them to raised protective sheets to prevent / reduce the bad air or dust?
Regards, SK
Comment by Eskay — November 3, 2006 @ 1:04 am
if i am not mistaken MBPJ will give them a specific time and day to work, you can check with MBPJ. Unless they did not get the approval from MPBJ first.
on item 3, its better to talk to your neighbour directly. If he is uncooperative, you should then lodge a complaint to the council.
Comment by Administrator — November 3, 2006 @ 8:26 am
Bought a semi-D link at Aman Perdana, Klang. Planning to add wet kitchen at side. Sharing border with back neighbour.
1) need neighbour consent?
2) appointed local contractor (”tak payah plan punya. semua kat sini gua buat no plan”). can take this risk?
3) how to proceed with MPK regulation?
4) can buy ready plan and submit for approval?
pls assist.
thanks
Comment by ksaint — February 4, 2008 @ 3:38 pm
your contractor is probably right in that most reno works did not get proper approval. the best thing to do is to check with the council on the guidelines as to whether you need to apply or not.
Comment by Administrator — February 4, 2008 @ 3:49 pm
tq
but once checked with council considered inform them to “spot check” yr premises?
kena compaund nanti
how?
Comment by ksaint — February 11, 2008 @ 10:53 am
well one way is just get the guidelines “for info” without telling them you’re doing renovations.
Comment by Administrator — February 11, 2008 @ 8:56 pm