AMPANG: The Ampang Jaya Municipal Council has refuted claims that it had issued compound notices to property owners who had carried out illegal renovation works in its municipality.
This comes after residents in Taman Putra recently cried foul over the apparent leniency from the council, to their counterparts in nearby Taman Saga, when approving home renovation permits.
They claimed that they were not as fortunate as Taman Saga residents as they were made to pay up to RM12,500 in individual compounds for carrying out illegal renovation works and they also had to submit documents to the council by Dec 30 to legalise their renovation works.
The residents alleged their counterparts in Taman Saga who had carried out illegal works were fined but need not submit documents to the council to legalise their renovation works.
In a statement to The Malay Mail, the council's public relations officer Norhayati Ahmad defended the council's actions claiming the council were in the midst of legalising illegal renovations works in these municipality.
"This legalisation programme was first implemented in November 2011 and will continue into 2012," Norhayati said.
"We merely distribute notices on the legalisation programme itself, but we do not issue compounds relating to it."
She said the programme helps residents under the council's jurisdiction to obtain a housing occupation certificate for all home renovations.
Additionally, it also can enable them to sell their homes.
"The legalisation programme is also for owners to obtain approval for the additional structure built, and to help facilitate the buildings' Sale and Purchase processes such as mortgages and insurance," she said.
"Among measures needed to be done by home owners before submitting their housing plan are: obtain the consent of neighbours living directly next to the building if additions are to be made and appoint a qualified architect or draftsman registered with the Malaysian Board of Architects.
She also said that the owner must submit documents such as Form A (submission of plans form), a complete building plan, a copy of the sale and purchase agreement, letters of consent from neighbours.
"The council advises home owners to submit building plan applications for additional renovations in order to facilitate smoother processing from us," she said.
Owners can obtain information on the legalisation programme at the council's building and architecture department or through the council's website.
They can also call the hotline at 03--4280 4197, 03--4296 8009 and 03--4296 8169.