In an unexpected twist to her retirement, Ushadavi G. Rajagopalan found herself in a battle against short-term rental accommodations in her condominium building. This Melaka-to-Port Dickson transplant hoped for a serene retirement, but it was disturbed by the constant nuisance and vandalism perpetrated by transient guests.
Upon buying a unit at Straits View Villas Condominium in 2019, Ushadavi was clueless about the predicaments she was soon to face. Her position as the chairman of the management corporation meant she was the go-to person for complaints about short-term rentals. While she understood this was a source of income for some owners, she had to weigh the overall community’s interests.
After stepping down as chairman due to pressures from short-term rental owners, she decided to personally tackle the issue. Joined by neighbors Virginia Ann Bateman and Sarojini Amboo, they used the Strata Management Act 2013 provisions to argue against the rentals.
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Despite the lack of help from the Land Office and the Port Dickson City Council, they saw victory in the Strata Housing Tribunal. The tribunal decided to cease short-term rentals in the condominium, ruling that they violated Fire Department regulations.
Ushadavi’s triumphant struggle sets a precedent for other condominium dwellers. Her experience underscores the importance of understanding the implications of stratified properties before investing. The article also acknowledges opposing views, like the one from Ana, a condominium owner who relies on short-term rentals for income.
Based on the original article from thestar website.
