SEREMBAN: A large-scale operation will be carried out in Negri Sembilan to ensure those renting state government-owned housing are still eligible to continue living there, says an exco member
State local government development, housing and transport committee chairman J. Arul Kumar said the authorities have received complaints that some of these units, which are rented out by the state government for as low as RM25 per month, were being sublet to third parties.
"We have also received complaints that some units have been rented out to foreigners, converted into stores, or just left vacant.
"The exercise is to ensure only eligible locals are given priority to stay there," he said.
He said among the schemes owned by the government were the Templer Flats here, Sentosa Flats in Kuala Pilah, Taman Jasmin Flats in Nilai and Senawang 1 Flats.
Arul said the objective of building such schemes was to help families from poor households and those who did not own houses.
He said during the exercise, those living in these units would be asked about their latest household income, marital status and if they have since bought their own houses.
"If they do not fulfil these conditions, they will have to vacate the units," he said.
He said if his officers found that any of these units had been rented out to third parties, the contract with the original tenant would be revoked.
"If the third party fulfils all criteria, then we will rent the units directly to them," he said, adding that this was on the condition no arrears were owed by the original tenant.
Arul said the first such operation was carried out at Templer Flats on Monday (March 4) night where 238 units were inspected.
Of these, 48 were occupied by those registered with the state housing unit or were the original tenants while 55 more were occupied by their families or relatives.
"We could not check the status of 108 more as there was no one at home during our visit while 26 others had been rented out," he said, adding that one unit was vacant.
Arul said the authorities would also check with the Land and Mines Department if any of these tenants had bought their own houses.
