City Hall warns chronic rent defaulters in PPR and public housing units face water cuts and legal action, as unpaid arrears hit RM70 million and strain essential services. - Pixabay pic, July 21, 2025
‘We have no choice’: DBKL to cut water, take legal action over RM70mil in PPR rent arrears
Mayor says chronic defaulters are hurting entire communities, as City Hall moves to enforce payments at PPR and PA housing
Sandru Narayanan
Updated 10 hours ago
21 July, 2025
8:01 AM MYT
‘We have no choice’: DBKL to cut water, take legal action over RM70mil in PPR rent arrears
Mayor says chronic defaulters are hurting entire communities, as City Hall moves to enforce payments at PPR and PA housing
Sandru Narayanan
Updated 10 hours ago
21 July, 2025
8:01 AM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR – Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is stepping up enforcement to recover RM70 million in outstanding rental arrears from tenants of People’s Housing Project (PPR) and Public Housing (PA) units – including cutting off water supply to chronic defaulters and initiating legal proceedings.
Mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif said the ballooning arrears have significantly strained DBKL’s maintenance budget, impacting essential services for tenants who have been paying their rent responsibly.
“Rental collection is our primary source of income for financing management and maintenance – cleaning, utility bills, lift maintenance, and public facilities,” she told Scoop when contacted.
“When tenants do not pay, the burden does not fall on DBKL alone. It is the entire community that suffers through delayed maintenance, malfunctioning lifts and an overall decline in their living environment. We must be fair to those who honour their obligations every month.”
In response, DBKL has set up a special Task Force on Rent Defaulters to ensure tenants are given adequate opportunity to clear their dues before any enforcement is carried out.
“We do not cut water immediately. Tenants are given several reminders, including written notices and face-to-face negotiations, and we even offer structured instalment repayment plans for those genuinely unable to pay in full,” she said.
Mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif said the ballooning arrears have significantly strained DBKL’s maintenance budget, impacting essential services for tenants who have been paying their rent responsibly.
“Rental collection is our primary source of income for financing management and maintenance – cleaning, utility bills, lift maintenance, and public facilities,” she told Scoop when contacted.
“When tenants do not pay, the burden does not fall on DBKL alone. It is the entire community that suffers through delayed maintenance, malfunctioning lifts and an overall decline in their living environment. We must be fair to those who honour their obligations every month.”
In response, DBKL has set up a special Task Force on Rent Defaulters to ensure tenants are given adequate opportunity to clear their dues before any enforcement is carried out.
“We do not cut water immediately. Tenants are given several reminders, including written notices and face-to-face negotiations, and we even offer structured instalment repayment plans for those genuinely unable to pay in full,” she said.
For illustration purposes: DBKL warns that persistent non-payment jeopardises essential upkeep of lifts, lighting, and cleanliness in low-cost housing areas. – file pic, July 21, 2025
“But when all these efforts fail and chronic defaulters continue to ignore their responsibilities, we are left with no choice but to take enforcement action, including cutting off water supply. This is permitted under Clause 9 of the DBKL Flat Rental Agreement, and it is necessary to protect responsible tenants who do pay.”
As of June 30, DBKL recorded 2,356 tenants who had not paid rent for between six months and a year, totalling RM2.519 million in arrears.
“Overall, unpaid rentals across PPR and PA have reached RM70 million. With low rental rates and rising costs, this shortfall severely undermines our ability to keep housing complexes in good condition,” she said.
When asked whether DBKL would consider offering discounts or partial waivers – especially for B40 households – Maimunah ruled out the possibility.
“Not at this time. It would not be fair to those who pay diligently or to the taxpayers. We do, however, offer instalment repayment schemes for tenants who come forward and engage with us. The key is communication – we are always ready to listen and assist those who genuinely want to resolve their arrears.”
She said many law-abiding tenants supported DBKL’s tougher approach.
“The majority of tenants who pay their rent every month welcome enforcement. They know that these payments are crucial to keeping their surroundings clean, safe and well-maintained. We often see this support reflected in social media comments whenever we take firm action against chronic defaulters.”
“But when all these efforts fail and chronic defaulters continue to ignore their responsibilities, we are left with no choice but to take enforcement action, including cutting off water supply. This is permitted under Clause 9 of the DBKL Flat Rental Agreement, and it is necessary to protect responsible tenants who do pay.”
As of June 30, DBKL recorded 2,356 tenants who had not paid rent for between six months and a year, totalling RM2.519 million in arrears.
“Overall, unpaid rentals across PPR and PA have reached RM70 million. With low rental rates and rising costs, this shortfall severely undermines our ability to keep housing complexes in good condition,” she said.
When asked whether DBKL would consider offering discounts or partial waivers – especially for B40 households – Maimunah ruled out the possibility.
“Not at this time. It would not be fair to those who pay diligently or to the taxpayers. We do, however, offer instalment repayment schemes for tenants who come forward and engage with us. The key is communication – we are always ready to listen and assist those who genuinely want to resolve their arrears.”
She said many law-abiding tenants supported DBKL’s tougher approach.
“The majority of tenants who pay their rent every month welcome enforcement. They know that these payments are crucial to keeping their surroundings clean, safe and well-maintained. We often see this support reflected in social media comments whenever we take firm action against chronic defaulters.”
KL Mayor Maimunah Mohd Sharif. – Bernama file pic, July 21, 2025
Maimunah stressed that continued non-payment posed a serious risk to the upkeep of PA and PPR facilities.
“We have to stretch limited funds to cover cleaning, lift maintenance, street lighting and utilities. Any shortfall means certain services suffer, and this affects everyone – especially the tenants who do their part by paying on time.”
To manage costs more effectively, DBKL is also encouraging greater community involvement.
“Cleaning services are still handled by appointed contractors, but we urge residents to help by reporting maintenance issues and giving feedback through our ePerumahan and Adu@KL platforms. Preventing vandalism and taking care of shared spaces can significantly reduce repair costs,” she said.
Maimunah urged tenants to value the heavily subsidised rental rates provided by DBKL and to fulfil their payment responsibilities.
“Rental arrears only grow heavier with time, eventually leading to legal action, eviction and the risk of losing their homes. We do not want to take such steps, but we will when chronic defaulters give us no alternative. Our duty is to ensure fairness and sustainability for the entire PA and PPR community.”
DBKL is also working closely with residents’ associations, representative councils and community leaders to raise awareness on the importance of timely rental payments.
“This is not just about DBKL’s finances. It’s about safeguarding the living environment and quality of life for thousands of families. Tenants must understand that paying their rent is not optional; it is their responsibility to the wider community.” – July 21, 2025
Maimunah stressed that continued non-payment posed a serious risk to the upkeep of PA and PPR facilities.
“We have to stretch limited funds to cover cleaning, lift maintenance, street lighting and utilities. Any shortfall means certain services suffer, and this affects everyone – especially the tenants who do their part by paying on time.”
To manage costs more effectively, DBKL is also encouraging greater community involvement.
“Cleaning services are still handled by appointed contractors, but we urge residents to help by reporting maintenance issues and giving feedback through our ePerumahan and Adu@KL platforms. Preventing vandalism and taking care of shared spaces can significantly reduce repair costs,” she said.
Maimunah urged tenants to value the heavily subsidised rental rates provided by DBKL and to fulfil their payment responsibilities.
“Rental arrears only grow heavier with time, eventually leading to legal action, eviction and the risk of losing their homes. We do not want to take such steps, but we will when chronic defaulters give us no alternative. Our duty is to ensure fairness and sustainability for the entire PA and PPR community.”
DBKL is also working closely with residents’ associations, representative councils and community leaders to raise awareness on the importance of timely rental payments.
“This is not just about DBKL’s finances. It’s about safeguarding the living environment and quality of life for thousands of families. Tenants must understand that paying their rent is not optional; it is their responsibility to the wider community.” – July 21, 2025
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