What the Strata Management Act 2013 Really Means for Your JMB or MC

The Strata Management Act 2013 (Act 757) is the law that sets out who manages a strata building, how that responsibility moves from the developer to the owners and what duties your JMB or MC must carry out.

It works together with the Strata Management (Maintenance and Management) Regulations 2015. If you sit on a committee or you are a parcel owner wondering why decisions seem so slow, this Act shapes almost everything that happens in your building.

Knowing it well is the difference between running a tight ship and firefighting every month. So where does the developer's role end and yours begin?

Key Takeaways

• The Strata Management Act 2013 Malaysia moves management from the developer to a JMB and later an MC, so the developer is not permanently in charge.
• A JMB or MC acts collectively, with a chairperson, secretary and treasurer, and individual members cannot decide alone.
• Eligibility, records, budgets and owner participation are the practical safeguards that keep a committee accountable.
• The 2025 to 2026 reform ideas are proposals, not enacted law, so follow the Act as it stands today.

Strata Management Act 2013 Malaysia: JMB vs MC Timeline Explained

How a JMB or MC Works Under the Strata Management Act 2013

A JMB or MC is collectively responsible for managing and maintaining the common property. That word "collectively" matters.

Decisions should be made by the body, not by a single enthusiastic chairperson or a treasurer acting on a hunch. Committees generally have at least 3 and no more than 14 elected members, including a chairperson, secretary and treasurer.

Terms and eligibility are set by the Act and its schedules. In practice, this means minutes, resolutions and approvals should tell a clear story.

If a contractor is appointed or a large payment is made, someone should be able to point to the meeting where it was agreed.

Who Can Join a JMB or MC Committee in Malaysia: Key Safeguards

Good governance starts with who is allowed to sit at the table. Guidance commonly points to these requirements and restrictions:

• Parcel ownership: candidates are generally parcel owners.
• No arrears: maintenance charges should be up to date.
• Statutory conditions: restrictions can involve bankruptcy, dishonesty convictions, prolonged non-attendance and serious by-law breaches.

Beyond eligibility, the everyday safeguards are simple but powerful. Keep proper records, table budgets for owners to approve, declare conflicts of interest openly and encourage owners to attend meetings.

A committee that welcomes questions usually earns trust faster than one that guards its paperwork. Specific requirements can vary, so always check the Act and your by-laws for your own scheme.

Strata Management Act Reforms in Malaysia: What Is Law and What Is Proposed

You may have read headlines about changes. The National Housing Department began studying amendments in January 2025, with implementation targeted for 2026, aiming to improve governance, accountability and coordination with housing, planning, building-control and strata-title laws.

Discussions have reportedly touched on clearer powers for JMBs and MCs, rules on maintenance and sinking fund use and incentives for owners who pay charges early. These are proposals, not confirmed law.

Until amendments are formally enacted, your committee should keep following the Act as it stands today. Watching the reform conversation is sensible, but acting on it too early could leave you out of step with the law.

Need Help Applying the Strata Management Act 2013 in Malaysia

Knowing the law is one thing. Finding the hours to run AGMs, prepare accounts and chase contractors as a volunteer is another.

Zerin Properties Urus Harta supports residential and commercial properties across Malaysia with building management, financial management and advisory services. That includes advice on statutory requirements and conducting AGMs and EGMs for self-managed properties.

If your JMB or MC wants a second pair of hands on compliance, budgeting or meetings, we can help. Visit Zerin Properties Urus Harta to learn more about our property management services.