“Rules are rules”: Home owners cautioned over height restriction on divider walls, fencing

 

MALAYSIANS’ attitude towards regulations on home renovations can best be described as laissez faire. 

The sentiment being ‘it’s my castle and I can do as I please’ seems to be very prevalent among many entitled citizens who are then shocked and dismayed when the authorities come knocking. 

This was the case of Facebook user Hairi Todt who shared on the Tukang Apa Hari Ini Forum that he was fined by the Majlis Bandar Subang Jaya (MBSJ) for exceeding the permitted height limit for divider walls. An appeal was lodged but alas, summarily dismissed. 

The homeowner has been instructed to tear down the offending wall by the Subang Jaya City Council and replace it with one that meets the local authorities’ regulations. 

The post must have struck a raw nerve among many Malaysians as the admin for the forum had to switch off the comments function. 

It has generated 4.8K likes, 2K comments and 371 shares at the time of writing while those who managed to squeeze in a comment before it was disabled underlined that many had differing views on the matter.

This was exemplified by one civic conscious resident who pointed out that the reason for the height restriction was for safety reasons and to allow proper airflow.  

This invited a sarcastic response from another bemused commenter who noted the number of casualties from restricted air flow between the homes. 

The retort was swift with it being pointed out that the divider wall/fence was shared property and not the exclusive property of a single home owner. 

If home owners were unsure of the rules, they should have made proper enquiries before erecting the offending structures.

Another argued that such a high wall made neighbours feel shielded or trapped and this particular home owner should not be so selfish. 

A commenter who identified himself as a construction industry expert even wondered how come the contractor who erected the wall did not highlight to the home owner that such height was prohibitive. 

A few others commented that for many contractors, all that mattered was getting paid.

It was also surmised that many a contractor, though skilled tradesmen, were not fluent with municipal council rules and regulations. 

They would just do as they were told. One good Samaritan advised his neighbour who was about to fall foul of such a rule by telling him he ran the risk of the authorities tearing down the wall.

Luckily, the neighbour took heed of the advice.

Differing perspectives was also evident with comments that some high walls were erected for security reasons. 

One end lot home owner claimed that he did so on the advice of the police no less after his home had been broken into in broad daylight. 

Others poked fun at this by claiming such a high wall would be enhanced by barb wire – electrified if possible – to make a home resemble a prison. 

The differing views on such high walls and fences in between homes highlight that not all Malaysians believe they need to adhere to such rules and regulations.

But the simple truth is that rules exist and these walls/fences are not the sole property of one home owner.

Even if there is an agreement between both residents, there are other considerations that make such a structure a no-no. –  Focus Malaysia

Editor’s Note: For landed residential properties under MBSJ, the maximum allowable height for boundary fences and party walls is generally 5 feet (1.524 meters) or a maximum of 6 feet (1.8 meters) depending on the specific neighborhood’s approved building plan.