WHAT ARE THE NECESSARY BY-LAWS IN A SINGLE AND MIXED STRATA SCHEME
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – On 27 November 2025, property stakeholders, including developers, joint management bodies (JMBs), management corporations (MCs), and legal professionals, gathered for a comprehensive, full-day seminar focused on navigating by-laws and the complexities of strata property management in Malaysia.
Hosted by Logic Plus and Chee Hoe & Associates, the programme featured in-depth sessions led by Lai Chee Hoe and regulatory official, Tuan Palaniappan, Legal Officer of COB DBKL, providing attendees with practical insights and actionable strategies for effective scheme administration.
The seminar covered several critical areas of property governance and compliance:
- Effective Regulation & By-Laws: Lai Chee Hoe, clarified the nuances of creating, implementing, and enforcing by-laws within strata schemes. The session addressed the specific powers of developers, JMBs, and MCs to introduce house rules and differentiated between Deeds of Mutual Covenant (DMCs) and the prescribed by-laws under the Third Schedule of the Strata Management Act 2013 (SMA 2013).
- Procurement Best Practices: A vital session provided guidance on establishing transparent procurement procedures for appointing service providers, detailing requirements for competitive quotes, adherence to Ministry guidelines, and integrating procurement into the annual budget approval process.
- Managing Mixed Developments: The unique challenges of phased and mixed-use developments were addressed, focusing on determining varied maintenance charges, managing provisional blocks, and ensuring the timely issuance of strata titles.
- Enforcement & Arrears Recovery: A key segment on legal enforcement procedures and the recovery of outstanding maintenance charges and sinking fund contributions was led by Palaniappan A/L S. Murugan, Legal Officer from the Commissioner of Building of Kuala Lumpur (COBKL). He detailed the powers of the COB, the application of the Strata Management (Compounding of Offences) Regulations 2019, and the process for filing claims with the Strata Management Tribunal (SMT).
“The engaging participation from attendees underscored the ongoing need for clarity in Malaysian strata law,” said Lai Chee Hoe. “We were pleased to share the legal tools and practical knowledge needed to navigate compliance, resolve disputes efficiently, and foster harmonious living environments within managed properties.”
