My husband and I like living in a condo. The one big advantage is security. I like that I can park my car, walk into a lift and up to my unit. Not having to get out of my car, open the front gate, drive into the porch and close the gate before I can get into a landed property is something I don’t miss. I never liked leaving my engine idling, while I fiddled with the front gate, hoping nothing unhappy happened, in the interim. The security guards at my condo are on duty 24×7. Their presence give me a sense of confidence and safety. Being on a higher level means pretty good views of the city. And, I don’t worry too much about returning home when it’s raining or when there are floods in Kuala Lumpur.  

There are downsides, of course. Community living is not for everyone. Noisy neighbours, we expected. We have heard some rather audible shouting and screaming. Once, we seriously considered calling 999. Fortunately, they calmed down after a while. Inconsiderate neighbours, we never ruled out. We weren’t disappointed. There are a few, who will not bag their rubbish properly. And, steadfastly refuse to shut the refuse door allowing unpleasant meat and vegetable smells to permeate the air. When we first moved in a decade ago, there were cases of occupants throwing cigarette butts and even clothes from their units. There is still a warning on the notice board about fines for these transgressions. Probably, they are the same ones, who smoke and throw cigarette butts in and around the swimming pool. Honestly, why would anyone do that when there are rubbish bins everywhere? And, why contaminate the pool that they themselves swim in? I am sure, every condo or where communal living is called for, has them. Sigh. Thankfully, they are in the minority. And, gratefully, most are considerate.

Strategically located in the city centre, with access to LRT stations and walking distance to KLCC, our condo attracts diverse tenants. At different times, we have people from the Middle-East, India and Europe, living amongst us. They work mainly in embassies, the oil and gas, IT and construction industries. Lately, we have had more renters, primarily from China.

Some are students, pursuing short English courses. Some, working in construction. Others, we don’t know. They speak Mandarin, and get about in twos or threes or in larger numbers. In fact, we noticed our new neighbours because they inundate the lifts, particularly, at lunch and dinner times.  Concurrently, we experienced loud intermittent knocking noises every morning and afternoon. There was a pattern and regularity to these noises. We were informed by our security guard that the occupant living one level above us was chopping chickens on the floor. The chopping noises, every day, could not possibly be to feed just one family. And, no family likes chicken that much. It didn’t take long to solve the puzzle. The unit was and is still being used like a canteen. To prepare, cook and serve food to a large number of people. What? How?

Some months ago, there was a similar situation on a lower floor where my mum lives. Throngs of people arrived in batches for meals each day. Were they all tenants living in different units?  We didn’t know. Naturally, we were concerned about several factors. Security. We know bona fide owners and tenants have key cards while visitors registered. But did we have records of all visitors? Safety. A burglary took place some years ago that remains unsolved. Strangers with access to all floors of the condo was not comforting. Waste management. My mum’s floor has six units and one refuse chamber. Cooking for large numbers meant more rubbish and more meat waste were thrown regularly into one bin raising foul smells and breaching standards of cleanliness.

What? How? Complaints were made. Management investigated, and put a stop to it. Is it not illegal to run a catering business or a restaurant or a canteen in a residential condo? Isn’t that what commercial shop lots are for?

Yes, there are all kinds of owners and renters. To me, a little thoughtfulness and a sense of responsibility go a long way towards living amicably in a condo. Walk in your neighbour’s shoe for a minute and ask yourself these questions: “Do I want to be subjected to banging and dragging noises, nasty smells and strangers in my home and condo?” The answer is a resounding no.