Homes converted for business use must display colour-coded certs

MBPJ councillor Tang Fuie Koh said the council officers would be able to check if the change of building use status had been approved or renewed without going into the premises. “The same rule will also apply to shoplot owners who want to convert their current businesses into budget hotels or private institutions of higher learning.

“Apart from their business licences, proprietors will have to pay an additional RM30 for the colour-coded A4-size certificates which have to be renewed yearly.

“The certificates cannot be duplicated as it is equipped with the safety holograms,” said Tang.

There have been many complaints of residents using their homes for business recently.

“We will not simply approve a change of building use application without checking.

“Certain criteria have to be fulfilled before a house can be converted into a kindergarten or wel fare home.

“With this implementation, we will step up enforcement and take action against illegal operators.

“This is not only for people who want to convert houses into business premises but also to allow various non-governmental organisations to use houses for their activities,” he said.

The ruling on houses to be converted to business premises which came into force on March 13, 2003 saw the demand for limited commercial activities along main roads including Jalan Gasing, Jalan Universiti and Jalan Kemajuan.