Pemaju diarah bayar RM10.5 juta kepada pemilik kondominium mewah

Mahkamah Tinggi Johor Bahru has ordered Chinese construction company R&F Development Sdn Bhd to pay around RM10.57 million in compensation to 84 owners of luxurious condominium units in Princess Cove due to delays in property handovers. Judge Wong Mee Ling allowed the compensation claim after ruling that the purchase agreement (SPA) between the developers and the property owners was invalid.

The delay in the project's two-phased transition from one phase to two phases violated the agreement's terms, as well as the developers' claim that the delay was justified due to the need to modify the project's construction plans. Property owners were initially awarded compensation ranging from RM35,000 to RM196,000 for the delayed handover and an additional RM6,900 to RM39,000 for the delayed provision of common amenities.

However, the court dismissed the claims of 39 additional plaintiffs who signed the SPA after the construction plans were altered. The judge instructed them to pay RM10,000 each to R&F. The court also ordered the return of the deposit paid to 84 property owners before the scheduled completion date of November 2018, as stipulated in the SPA.

The court rejected the plaintiffs' claims for exemplary and specific damages, stating there was no evidence they suffered any loss. Property owners had previously obtained a ruling against the developers in 2021. However, the case continued to be heard for 10 days, finally concluding in September 2024 after the High Court allowed the developers' appeal.

The property owners were represented by solicitors NG Vinod and Rashmeet Kaur, while Josiah Tea Yoong Kit and V Mavin Rajah acted on behalf of the defendants.