PETALING JAYA: The National House Buyers Association (HBA) and the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association Malaysia (Rehda) have raised several contentions to the proposed Residential Tenancy Act (RTA).

       One of the highlighted concerns is a Comptroller of Residential Tenancy who will be authorised to manage the security deposits – parked under a neutral agency.

       This is to ensure that the authorities would be able to address any conflict between landlords and tenants later on.

       In the event that no other expenses have been incurred, the security deposit would then be returned to the tenant once the tenancy agreement expires. Rehda noted that the interest earned from the deposits will be used to fund the administration of RTA in handling the costs of managing the proposed Tenant Landlord Database.

       The RTA is also proposing to cap the amount on the security deposit to two months’ worth of rent and one month’s worth of rent for the utility deposit.

       Should any disputes arise, the matter will be referred to the tribunal, under the RTA. The establishment of a tribunal will be set up to mediate disputes between landlords and tenants (akin to the housing/consumer tribunal).

       Another point raised was the sampling of the survey which only captured 3,119 respondents out of the 32.4 million population. This only represents 0.009% of the total population in the country and was only focused on Selangor, Klang Valley and Putrajaya.

       The survey also did not include other states and demographic groups. It also had more tenants as respondents – 2,015 people – compared to only 1,104 landlords.

       Following HBA’s highlights of their contentions, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican responded that the concerns raised by HBA were taken seriously.