National Housing Department aims for a workable Strata Management Act by 2026, says Jayaselan

• Director-general Datuk Jayaselan K Navaratnam said one of the key changes will be to clearly separate the responsibilities between the Strata Titles Act 1985 (Act 318) and the Strata Management Act 2013 (Act 757), with the former focused on ownership and the latter on building management.

PETALING JAYA (April 9): The National Housing Department is revising the Strata Management Act to enhance governance and close accountability gaps, with full implementation expected by 2026.

Its director-general, Datuk Jayaselan K Navaratnam said the reforms are part of a broader effort to create a more efficient, understandable and enforceable legal system for parcel owners, developers, and managers.

“We want it to be a workable act. It must be simple, straight to the point, and empower parcel unit owners to understand and enforce their rights,” he told EdgeProp at the International Strata Symposium hosted by the Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association Malaysia (Rehda) Institute at M World Hotel today.

He said one of the key changes will be to clearly separate the responsibilities between the Strata Titles Act 1985 (Act 318) and the Strata Management Act 2013 (Act 757), with the former focused on ownership and the latter on building management.

“We don’t want overlap between acts. Titles belong to Act 318, and everything related to management must fall under Act 757. We want a clear demarcation,” he explained.

Additionally, Jayaselan mentioned that the Housing and Local Government Ministry is addressing a major enforcement gap, which is the lack of accountability for misbehaving management committee (MC) members.

“There are currently no provisions to penalise MCs for wrongdoing. If someone mismanages funds in Community A, they can still stand for election in Scheme C. That’s a loophole we must close,” he stated.

He also pointed out that a blacklisting mechanism, similar to the developer penalties under the Sales and Purchase Agreement (Act 118), is being proposed to prevent repeated mismanagement.

“There is a need to review how maintenance charges and voting rights are calculated, particularly in mixed-use developments.

“Just because a unit is bigger doesn’t mean it should have more voting power. The enjoyment of a parcel is a right, but the common areas are shared equally, so charges and voting must reflect that,” he explained.

Moreover, Jayaselan added that scheme-specific bylaws are being considered to reflect the unique needs of various developments, including gated communities, rent-to-own housing, public housing, short-term rental accommodations (STRA), and provisions for green tech such as electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and solar panels.

“The amendment also involves harmonising multiple housing and planning laws, including Acts 118 (Sales and Purchase Agreement), 133 (Planning Act), 171 (Development Control), 172 (Building Control), 318 (Strata Titles) and 757 (Strata Management), to streamline regulatory processes, especially for phased and integrated projects.

“The amendment study began in January 2025, and full implementation is targeted for 2026 following public consultations and legislative drafting,” he added.

Meanwhile, Selangor Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia (Jupem) director Lsr Looi Kam Seng explained that cadastral surveys are essential for determining the exact boundaries of land and property.

"Cadastral survey is about determining the rightful boundary of a property – land, parcel," he said during his session titled, "Jupem's Role in Strata Development: Cadastral Mapping and Surveying for Strata Development."

He also explained that, in property development, having a final title is crucial for submitting subdivision or building plans.

"A final title is required to submit a subdivision or building. Without a final title, the process can't proceed. It is also important to have land surveyors involved in the process,” he said.

The International Strata Symposium 2025 is an event to discuss and share insights on strata governance, best practices, and the latest regulatory developments. It aims to support the Housing and Local Government Ministry in reforming and amending the Strata Management Act to enhance Malaysia’s strata laws. EdgeProp.my is the media partner for this event.

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