Real Estate and Housing Developers Association (Rehda) immediate past chairman Jerry Chan said this was because construction costs were much lower and still feasible if land costs were not high.
“I would think so (that the flats are still suitable and in demand). Otherwise the government has to continue to subsidise or provide grants to replace broken down lifts every now and then.
“We have seen in many high rise low-cost or affordable developments, that after 15 years or so, there are problems with non-working lifts, poor collection of monthly charges, among others.
“This is due to non-payment needed for the upkeep, repairs or replacements needed. Plus, there is normally a generator needed for a fireman’s lift,” he told FMT.
Chan said these added up to the service charges and the resultant problems arising from higher charges such as lower collection rates.
Chan was asked to comment on Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Noh Omar saying that such residential properties were no longer suitable and the ministry would be conducting a study on the matter to ensure that future housing developments would be in line with current demands.
“We see a need for this as the flats we have now are no longer suitable. It is not equipped with lifts. As we can see today, elderly people have to struggle to go up and down the stairs,” he was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times.
In the case of the aged and disabled having trouble walking up the five-storey flats, Chan said that while this was true, such flats or apartments had very low maintenance or monthly service charges.
“The old and aged should be housed on the ground floor. So, the ground floor units should preferably not be sold so as to have a constant pool of available units for the affected category,” he said.
Chan also admitted that the fourth and fifth floor units were understandably less popular, but added that if the location was fine, the younger folk would accept it.