Volume 16, Number 1/2/3
Home Maintenance and Monitoring System for Housing Projects: Developers’ Perspective in Malaysia
Authors
Siti Nurizzati Ismail, Noram Irwan Ramli1, Putri Zulaiha Razi and Ummu Najwa Nur Yusrizal, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, Malaysia
Abstract
The increasing number of maintenance-related issues and homeowner complaints in housing projects highlights the need for more effective home maintenance and monitoring systems among developers. In Malaysia, persistent defects, inefficient maintenance practices, and limited system integration continue to affect housing quality and long-term asset performance. This study aims to identify current implementation practices, key factors, system criteria, and challenges of home maintenance and monitoring systems from developers’ perspectives, and to propose an improved framework. A qualitative approach was adopted using semi-structured interviews with ten housing developers in Peninsular Malaysia. Purposive sampling was applied to select participants with relevant industry experience in housing development and maintenance management. Data were analysed using thematic analysis based on Braun and Clarke’s framework. The findings reveal that current implementation practices consist of online platforms, integrated systems, and physical methods, indicating a hybrid and partially digitalised approach. Key factors include centralized communication, defect monitoring, maintenance strategies, safety management, and operational efficiency. Major challenges include lack of standardization, manpower shortages, environmental constraints, recurring defects, and limited homeowner engagement. The study proposes a comprehensive framework to improve maintenance system effectiveness and provides practical insights for developers to enhance stakeholder coordination and maintenance performance in housing projects.
Keywords
Home maintenance, Monitoring systems, Housing developers, Defect management, Thematic analysis, Malaysia, Defect Liability Period (DLP)