OWNERS of leasehold properties in Petaling Jaya are being advised to recognise the choices available to them when renewing their leases.

“Try to understand the available options and decide based on individual needs,” said Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran to hundreds of residents who attended a dialogue session on the Petaling Jaya leasehold land renewal process.

The session, attended by representatives of the Selangor Land and Mines Office, took place at the La Salle Hall in Petaling Jaya.

In Selangor, the premium formula for the extension of leasehold land is outlined in the Selangor Land Rules 2003 and Selangor Quarry Rules 2003.

According to Rajiv, leasehold property owners in Selangor were eligible for certain rebates when renewing their leases.

“Leasehold property owners will be able to renew their leases to 99 years.

“Under the Private Residential Ownership Scheme, owners only need to pay RM5,000, with the condition that the property is not sold to others,” he added.

Rajiv said should the owner decide to sell the property later, they would have to pay the balance of the premium.

However, owners were allowed to transfer the property to their children without any additional payment, he added.

“The land value can be obtained from the Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH),” he said.

“If the owner sells the property, the full premium needs to be paid,” said Rajiv adding that full premium is calculated based on the land market value.

In addition, the state government is offering a 30% discount for the first renewal, Rajiv said.

He clarified that the nominal fee and renewal arrangement applied only to residential lots and was not applicable to agricultural or commercial land.

Among the criteria for lease extension applications was the requirement for owners to submit recent photographs of the house to prove it was still being used as a residential property, he said.

“We have seen cases where houses have been converted into restaurants, especially in Petaling Jaya Old Town.

“The state does not offer this land renewal plan for business use.

“As a result, we’ve seen some of these businesses convert the property back to residential use for the lease renewal process,” he said.

Rajiv said residents do not need to hire lawyers for the process.

“All residents need to do is get the checklist from the land office which is available online as well,” he said.

He said he would continue advocating, at the state level, for commercial, industrial and agricultural property owners who were also facing lease expiry issues.

Meanwhile, Section 16/3 Petaling Jaya Residents Association chairman VKK Raja voiced concern over the caveat-based renewal scheme, stating it gave a false sense of relief.

“It ties the homeowner’s title, pushes the real cost into the future, and risks burdening families when land values rise.

“I believe leasehold extensions should offer certainty and marketability, not uncertainty and restrictions.

“The state must offer homeowners a fair, transparent option that secures their property rights today – not kick the problem down the road,” he said.

For details, visit https://etanah.selangor.gov.my