KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is sticking to its decision that only qualified tenants can continue to stay at people's housing project (PPR) units after the first 10-year rental period expires.
Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam said those wanting to continue renting the low-cost houses after 10 years must write to the state Housing and Urban Development Board (LPPB) for consideration of an extension.
They would also require the approval of the state Local Government and Housing Ministry, Dr Gunsalam said amid a controversy over the move by LPPB to evict tenants in such housing schemes through a notice on June 19.
He said the maximum period allowed for each family to rent PPR units is 10 years and the policy has been in effect since 2012.
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However, he apologised for any inconvenience caused by the June 19 notice as there were inaccuracies.
"The notice was only meant for tenants who are no longer qualified to continue occupying PPR homes," he said on Wednesday (June 28).
He said those whose income exceeded RM3,000 monthly were no longer qualified to continue renting the PPR units.
"If tenants or their spouses have their own home, they will also not be allowed to continue renting the units," he said, adding that those using such houses as a stopover or store could not continue holding the unit on rental.
"Tenants turning the house into a 'homestay' or sub-letting to other tenants as well as those who have not paid up their rent are also no longer qualified to stay on," he said.
The criteria for eligibility had been in place since 2018, he added.
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He said the ministry and LPPB were forming a working committee to verify the eligibility of PPR tenants.
"We don't want people to profit from renting out the premises to third parties," he said, adding that it was unfair to others waiting for the opportunity to rent an affordable house.
He said the authorities were also considering Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor's recommendation to offer some PPR units to new graduates as a temporary residence or "transit home" while they try to get a job.
