To Submit or Not to Submit

Many home owners are rather confused on should their intended renovation works be submitted or not. I shall try to clarify this matter on their pro and cons....

The definitions of "Alterations" includes alteration, addition, and extension and "alter".....As per Victorian Building by-law whereas as per Malaysia Building By-Law 1986....It includes additions and extensions.

I am only refurbishing internally only...So must I submit? Well it depends what you mean by refurbishing. What you mean by that? As per the By-Laws even the works consist ONLY subdividing of rooms into smaller rooms, you have to submit and fees payable shall be RM25.00 per smaller room or cubicle as stated in First Schedule clause 6(5). Technically,as long as it consists any of the followings then submission is required even though some think it is minor.

i) changes in usage or room layout (does not matter what kind of walls you have)
ii) size of air well or ventilation (windows) affected as well as doors size & positions
iii) repositioning or alteration to staircases
iv) repositioning of toilets fixtures (just replacing old wall tiles need no submission)
v) any work involving structures or load bearings..ie new walls, roof..Columns, slabs..Beams...
vi) entrance culvert modifications
vii) extended space..ie garage, terrace..
viii) swimming pool or fish ponds with deep in excess of 1200mm

Of course if are only painting the house and changing the wall/floor tiles then you do not need to submit BUT your contractor still need to apply for a permit for trash container outside your premise.

As a precaution always ask your architect on the requirements though be careful as there are
"yes " man too, like a sailing yatch heading for the harbor..any wind is good wind...

In the future, before you decide taking the risk..ponder on the followings:

i) non submission may means having no approved plan thus no certificate of fitness(CF)
ii) almost all type of insurances inclusive of fire insurance do have an exclusion clause on non
approved buildings
iii) no recourse to fall back on...can you sue a lay person whom designed your structural beam
which subsequently failed ? or sue a dentist misoperated on your appendic?
iv) had come across cases when the bank refuses to provide financing with CF obtained
v) certain council already requires CF issuance tied up with annual assessment

Well, the above are only my suggestions and opinions. We advise you to seek professional advise when you embark on your little" project like the above.