DBKL: The public can help monitor for illegal extensions in their neighbourhoods

• Building Control Department: If you suspect that your neighbour’s renovation has gone beyond the limit, you can come to our office at DBKL Menara 2 in Jalan Raja Laut and request to see the renovation plan

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 19): Members of the public can help Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) curb any home renovations which may have “have deviated from the original building plan”.

According to a report by The Star, Building Control Department director, Norizan Sulaiman revelead that anyone can go to DBKL to look at the original renovation plan of a property if it is suspected that it has “beyond the legal limit”.

“So if you suspect that your neighbour’s renovation has gone beyond the limit, you can come to our office at DBKL Menara 2 in Jalan Raja Laut and request to see the renovation plan.

“You can bring along a professional architect or engineer to view the plan, but you cannot take a copy of the plan,” she told the daily.

Norizan said there are clear guidelines for the renovations of flats, condominiums, terrace houses, bungalows and commercial properties such as restaurants and factories

“Anything that goes beyond their front and back gates is illegal, and I advise people to inform us when they come across such transgressions.

“We had many people who were suspicious of their neighbour’s home extensions and requested to look at the plans. Some of these extensions encroach on public land.

“We encourage the public to become DBKL’s eyes and ears,” added Norizan.

She said it does not pay to flout the DBKL’s guidelines and be stubborn.

“There were some cases of house owners who had carried out extensive illegal renovations that were 50% completed and refused to demolish the structures when they got caught. Some have even taken us to court.

“This is a tedious process but they will eventually have to demolish their illegal structures. My advice to these house owners is that going to court is not worth it,” she said.

In a seperate report by The Star, Malaysian Institute of Architects past president Saifuddin Ahmad clarified that architects and registered draughtsmen cannot “plead ignorance” over deviations from approved building plans.

“So if a renovation is illegal and the architects say they were in the dark about it, that is rubbish,” he told the daily.

“Only what has been approved can be built. If there are changes during renovations, the professionals must submit an amendment to the plan.

“If the client wants to deviate from the approved plan, the PSP (Principal Submitting Person) is responsible because he or she is the one issuing the CCC (Certificate of Completion and Compliance),” said Saifuddin.

“If the clients insist on proceeding with the illegal renovation, then the PSP should issue a formal letter to DBKL and the owner about the deviation and withdraw his services,” he added.