Absence of purchase records puts house owners in a pickle

MY mother bought a subsale house in the 1960s. Back then, I was still in school and did not know how the transaction was conducted. I believe such things as a sales and purchase agreement, legal housing agent, valuation and bank loans did not exist then.

Recently, I received a notice from the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) addressed to my mother, who has since passed away, asking for the purchase price of the house, exact date it was bought, telephone and email address, and whether it was rented out or owner-occupied.