The government is reviewing the proposed 30-year age threshold for buildings under the Urban Renewal Bill to ensure it better reflects technical, economic and social realities, says Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming.
He said the ministry is studying the best way to set the threshold, taking into account building conditions as well as technical, economic and social factors.
Nga was responding to Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN–Ayer Hitam), who asked why the ministry chose 30 years when Public Works Department standard JKR 20800:2020 states that building structures should have a working life of at least 50 years.
He explained that the 30-year figure was never meant to represent a building’s full structural lifespan. Instead, it is a general indicator of when many buildings start to show signs of ageing and become less suitable for modern use.
This includes physical wear and tear, outdated designs or technology, higher maintenance costs and failure to meet current safety or regulatory standards.
Physical deterioration depends on materials, soil conditions and maintenance, while functional issues can appear within 20 to 30 years — for example, older walk-up flats without lifts that no longer meet residents’ needs.
From an economic point of view, some buildings become uneconomical to maintain once operating and upkeep costs exceed their market value, usually after 30 to 40 years depending on location and market conditions.
Nga said buildings aged 25 to 40 years often need major repairs, those between 40 and 60 years may require full renewal or redevelopment, and non-heritage buildings around 70 years old are usually considered outdated unless well maintained.
He noted that existing law already recognises the need for checks as buildings age. Under Section 85A of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974, high-rise buildings must undergo visual and structural inspections 10 years after the Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC) or Certificate of Fitness is issued, and every 10 years after that.
These inspections must be carried out by a professional engineer and submitted to the local authority.
He said the requirement for inspections every decade shows that a 50 to 60-year design lifespan alone does not guarantee safety or liveability, as these depend heavily on maintenance, management and environmental conditions.
Nga added that by the time a building reaches around 30 years old, internal systems such as lifts, water tanks, wiring, piping and sewerage usually start to deteriorate. The situation is worse in poorly managed strata properties, including some less than 30 years old.
He stressed that any change to the age threshold will be made carefully to avoid placing unnecessary financial pressure on residents.
“The ministry will ensure that any policy introduced does not place an unreasonable burden on occupants, whether in terms of maintenance or new development,” he said.


