theSun Property August 2016

keycard systems can be a plus or

minus, depending on the situation.

Some high-end developments also

use fingerprint and eye scanning

means andmethods to tighten

securitymeasures. Though safer

with all these high-tech systems,

lose your keycard and be prepared

to pay a fine or a hefty price for a

replacement card, which comes

with a lot of hassle, explanation,

having to fill up forms andwaiting.

(We will touch onG&G in part 2.)

Convenient facilities

Some developers have

incorporated sundry shops,

launderettes, hair salons, car wash

services and bays, not forgetting

the entire list of condo facilities like

swimming pools, barbecue pits,

equipment and areas, gyms,

squash/tennis courts, playgounds,

multi-purpose halls and rooms.

Yes, they have all thesewhich come

with themonthly “maintenance

fee”. When it comes to using these,

onemay have their reservations as

these conveniences may not always

be so convenient. Word is, repairs

on faulty equipment sometimes

takes ages; usage is usually limited

to first-come, first-use;

maintenance of equipment is not

always at its best; and sometimes

too contaminated that you really

prefer not to use the “facility” and

so forth.

or-to-doo

Many admit that the biggest

convenience about condo living is

being able to drive into one’s

condominiumpremises (parking

lot) where one can safely alight

one’s vehicle without muchworry

about being robbed or having a

knife at one’s throat ... well, most

times though. Then again, there is

the other “door-to-door” notion,

the literal kind that represents

vehicles parked so close to each

other that their doors almost, in

some cases do, touchwhen opening

them. The latter is often frowned

upon by residents who have names

for their “vehicles” and knows

every dimple, dent or depression to

their paintwork (car/motorbike

enthusiasts).

Sentry and patrol guards

Visiting friends and familywho live

in high-rise units can sometimes

become a nightmare. This is

especially sowhen it comes to

filling up forms and getting one’s

“card” to “pass go”. Some complain

that it is time consuming having to

communicate with, most times

foreigners employed as guards,

who do not understand or speak

our local lingua franca (whatever

dialects and languages we speak

here). We also have claims that

some guards are rude, but have

come to look at this as perhaps

having a “lack of good or wide

vocabulary”, thus only expressing

the basic, inhospitable and

standoffish replies to queries.

Mind you, having guards loitering

around knowing your daily ins

and outs andweekly habits and

schedules can be a plus or minus.

With all the pros and cons, the

price tag of high-rise residential

units are still usually lower than

landed property. No doubt there

aremany constraints and

restrictions to lifestyles, it is still

themore affordable choice .

Agreed that you “can’t have

your cake and eat it too” and the

fact that there are pros and cons

to all situations. Still, it is best to go

inwith eyes openedwide, hence,

our series to shed light on some

concerns and controversies that

some condo dwellers face.

Followour article next week for

more predicaments and dilemmas

that come with a condo lifestyle.

Email your feedback and

queries to: propertyqs@

thesundaily.com

>Consider these before deciding on a high-rise residential lifestyle

LARGE

portion of the

residential property

landscape today comes in

the formof high-rise living

spaces, i.e. apartments, small office-

home office (SOHOs), studio suites

and condominiums. Space is and

will become costlier as it becomes

more andmore scarce into the

years. Although the price of

property here inMalaysia is still

considered “cheap” compared to

other parts of the world (including

our neighbour down south in

The Lion City), owning a piece of

landed property inMalaysia today

is still deemed relatively expensive

for the averageMalaysianwage

earner.

Thus, for themajority of

everyday Joes and Janes andmost

first-time home buyers, a high-rise

would probably be themost likely

choice of property to purchase,

other than the landed piece of real

estate under the auctioneer’s list.

The reason – affordability. That,

and the idea of many a house buyer

and investor who believe that

“condo is king”, plus the very fact

that there aremore high-rises in the

market than landed property –

theSun

brings to light various issues

to consider, having heard the hues

and cries of some disgruntled and

very unhappy condo dwellers.

There is no doubt that

with the pricey tags that

come with properties, other

than the “elevated” kind,

there is little choice for those

on a tight budget, what more

with the regular economic

growth, inflation and

development. Still, don’t be

too quick to sign the dotted

line for that high-rise

purchase before considering

the pointers below. These

are just some of themany

issues faced by condo dwellers,

many living in frustration,

discontent and distress.

With that, we run through some

plus andminus points of

condominium living.

Smaller spaces save time,

effort andmoney

Though not always necessarily

“smaller”, there are some very

spacious condominiums and

duplexes, not forgetting pent

houses – all within the high-rise

residential category. In this case, as

we are comparing the “standard”

condominium, let’s just focus on

the usual 400 sq ft to 1,500 sq ft

units. These smaller spaces make

life a lot easier, especially for the

one seeing to the cleaning and

maintenance. You not only save on

time but effort andmoney as well

(as smaller spaces will require

lesser cleaning and cleaning

material). Similarly, youwill also

save on utilities.

Deemed “safer”

This one is a little tricky as it

depends on your “neighbours” and

the neighbourhood your condo is

located in. While some feedback

we receivedwas that people are

thankful for their very helpful and

caring condo neighbours and

those in the committee who look

out for the residents and their well-

being; we also received quite the

opposite response from some

condo dwellers about nasty

neighbours whomake residents

fearful and every day a nightmare.

Mind you the customary

Condo

conundrums

PART1

SUPPLY OF RESIDENTIAL UNITS BY TYPE IN FEDERAL TERRITORY INKUALA LUMPUR

[Retrieved fromNAPICQ1 2016 report]

theSun ON FRIDAY

AUGUST 12, 2016