PPR residents owe RM51m renting debts

Top Ten unpaid rent

KUALA LUMPUR: Residents in the People's Housing Project (PPR) low-cost flats in the Federal Territory owe City Hall a staggering total of RM51 million in unpaid rent.

The Malay Mail learned yesterday the amounts owed, accumulated over the past 10 years to Dec 31, 2010, ranged from RM300 to RM18,000.

And of the 84 PPR schemes under City Hall, not a single one can be described as being free of rent arrears.

City Hall's housing management director, Sukiman Surahman, said the arrears last year amounted to RM17.3m.

"We were supposed to collect a total of RM83.3 million in rental and arrears but we only collected RM66 million. Added to the RM33.7 million rental outstanding at the end of 2009, we have a total of RM51 million still due to us."

Sukiman said the problem of PPR residents not paying their monthly rental of RM124 was serious. "Each household is supposed to pay RM124 monthly but many units have a minimum unpaid rent of RM300 and a maximum of RM18,000."

He said there were tenants in all of the 84 PPR schemes under City Hall owing at least a month's rent.

"The total number of units we have rented out is 53,183 and of these, 42,267 owe at least a month of unpaid rent."

The PPR with the highest amount owing is PPR Desa Rejang in Setapak, and the one with the least amount owing is PPR Laksamana at Jalan Peel.

Asked if poor families were given exemption from paying the monthly rental, Sukiman said no household, despite the status, was given such an exemption.

"We know many families occupying the PPR units are poor. In fact, 15 per cent of the residents are in the hardcore poor category.

"If you are very poor and you cannot pay your rent, don't keep quiet. Come to us. Let us know and we will give you advice on what to do. When poor residents approach us to seek help, we usually ask them to pay half and the rest on an instalment basis."

Those who are owing are asked to pay a minimum of one month's rental and another month of arrears.

"That means, they pay RM124 plus RM124, amounting to RM248, every month until they pay off their dues."

Sukiman said some of the poor families who approached City Hall for help were referred to organisations such as Baitumal, the Social Welfare Department, e-kasih and the Housing and Local Government Ministry.

read more @ malay mail:
http://www.mmail.com.my/content/65176-ppr-residents-owe-rm51m