She said the arrears were affecting the maintenance and management of facilities for communities in areas under DBKL’s supervision.

She said DBKL has taken several measures to deal with the arrears, such as cutting off water supply, issuing notices, holding financial advocacy programmes and offering tenants an instalment payment plan.

“These initiatives are vital so that the rent collected can be used to provide better services for residents,” she said at a community wellbeing event here today.

Maimunah said DBKL was also considering offering the flats for sale to those tenants who can afford to purchase them.

“There was a decision in 2015 to suspend (the sale), but I have since reviewed the decision, and if the potential tenants are financially capable, we can consider selling the units,” she said.