Approved Guidelines for Gated and Guarded

Guidelines for gated community (GC)

* The common property including the roads in the GC scheme is private and it must be maintained by the residents through the appointed management corporation (MC);

* The construction of any fencing or wall separating the residents of the GC and non-residents is now allowed;

* The construction of the wall or fencing surrounding the GC area as a border between the GC area and non-GC area is allowed but it should not be more than 2.75 metre;

* A social impact report must be provided by the developers of the GC as stipulated under the sub-section 21A(1A) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1976;

* There must be at least two entry and exit points for GCs as stipulated under the Uniform Building Bylaws 1984;

* Special areas for utilities such as electric, telephone, water, gas and sewage connections must be at least placed 2.5 meters within the GC area to enhance the service and facilitate the maintenance.

Guidelines for guarded neighbourhoods (GN)

* GN is allowed only in town areas, especially in areas with high crime rates based on police records;

* GN is not allowed in areas with public amenities such as schools, mosques or public halls, and in areas where public transportation routes are located;

* The local councils can determine the number of housing units for a particular GN for better management;

* The size of the guardhouse should not exceed 1.8m x 2.4m;

* The security guards employed by the residents' association (RA) must be registered with the Home Ministry;

* Any reversion of the GN to its former status (without having guards) by the RA must be made known to the local councils.

Below is an article extracted from the Star ( today )

A gated neighbourhood can only be set up with the approval of 51% of the residents, said Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung.

He said perimeter fencing and guard houses would not be allowed to be built under the new guidelines for gated and guarded neighbourhood schemes.

He said the local authorities have the right to tear down the fencing and guard houses which caused inconvenience to residents.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin recently said the guidelines - which were approved and endorsed by the National Council for Local Government - would be imposed with immediate effect on new applications.

Existing gated communities and guarded neighbourhood schemes are exempted.