PETALING JAYA: Regulations for short-term residential accommodation (STRA) must be implemented soon to level the playing field and address the risks in the home-sharing business, say hotel operators. “At the moment, STRA does not contribute any taxes or legal compliance fees to the government.
“Once STRA is officially regulated, it can contribute to growing a specific target market of tourists who prefer large home accommodation that is not of the typical hotel market.
“What the hotel industry strives to achieve is a balance where both the hotel industry and STRA contribute back to the tourism industry equally to build and support growth,” said seasoned hotelier Yap Lip Seng, also the former chief executive officer of the Malaysian Association of Hotels.
Yap pointed out that a full study and public consultation on STRA regulations was done in 2019 by the Malaysia Productivity Corporation under the International Trade and Industry Ministry.
It was set to be presented to the Cabinet in May 2020 with the target for implementation by July that same year.
“This was unfortunately forgotten,” said Yap, who is RIYAZ Hotels & Resorts chief executive officer.
Bukit Bandaraya Residents Association adviser Datuk Mumtaz Ali said residents must have their rights protected to deter or prevent abuses of residential premises, irrespective of strata title or landed properties.
“All genuine residents must join forces to prevent abuses. They can pressure politicians, MPs and state assemblymen to come up with effective laws,” he said.
As it stands, there are no standard set of procedures or federal laws to provide regulations or guidelines for STRA.
The Strata Management Act gives all strata buildings the authority to create their own by-laws, through joint management bodies and management corporations.
This means residents in strata-titled properties can vote for or against any short-term stay through a special resolution requiring at least 75% of unit owners’ approval.
In February, Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming said the government is working on a comprehensive STRA guide that will be adopted by all local governments.
