Think before you construct: The risks of illegal extensions in Sabah

IN Sabah, renovating a home or extending a building is often seen as a practical response to changing family and economic needs. As households grow, elderly parents move in, or small businesses expand, property owners naturally look for ways to add space and improve functionality. Extending a kitchen, adding a room, enclosing a balcony, or modifying a shop lot are common practices in both urban and rural areas.

However, when such works are carried out without approval from local authorities, they are considered unauthorised renovations or extensions. While these changes may seem minor, they can introduce hidden risks that are not always visible to the owner or occupants. These risks may affect structural safety, fire safety, drainage, neighbouring properties, and long-term legal and financial security.

Understanding these risks is essential for both the public and decision-makers, particularly in Sabah, where environmental conditions and development patterns require careful and responsible building control.

Why unauthorised renovations happen

Most unauthorised renovations are not carried out with the intention of breaking the law. Often, they result from misunderstanding or lack of awareness.

Many property owners assume that minor renovations do not require approval, that works confined within private property boundaries are exempt, or that temporary structures are not regulated. Others may be discouraged by the perceived cost or complexity of submitting plans and engaging professionals.

While these perceptions are understandable, they do not change the technical reality that even modest alterations can affect a building’s safety and performance.

Structural safety: A hidden risk

One of the most significant risks of unauthorised renovations relates to structural integrity.

Buildings are designed to carry specific loads based on their original configuration. Columns, beams, slabs, and foundations are sized according to expected weights and usage. Adding heavier roofing materials, additional floors, water tanks, or concrete slabs may exceed the building’s original capacity.

In Sabah, this issue is particularly relevant due to soft or variable soil conditions, high rainfall, and older buildings constructed to earlier standards. Signs of structural distress—such as wall cracks, uneven floors, water leakage through slabs, or misaligned doors and windows—often develop gradually and may go unnoticed until significant damage occurs.

For this reason, structural assessment by a Professional Engineer with a Practising Certificate (PEPC) is critical when renovations affect load-bearing elements. PEPC-certified engineers are registered with the Board of Engineers Malaysia and are legally authorised to provide professional engineering services while accepting accountability for their work.

Fire safety and emergency access

Unauthorised renovations can also create serious fire hazards.

Renovations may inadvertently narrow corridors or staircases, obstruct or alter escape routes, increase internal fire loads, and overload electrical systems. Added rooms, metal grilles, or poorly designed electrical modifications can limit escape options and increase fire risk.

Local authorities prioritise fire safety because, in an emergency, safe escape routes and quick access for fire services are essential. In densely developed areas, unauthorised extensions may also restrict emergency vehicle access.

Properly approved renovations, guided by professional input, ensure that basic fire safety principles are maintained.

Drainage, flooding, and neighbouring properties

Sabah experiences frequent and intense rainfall, making drainage control a critical aspect of building safety.

Illegal or unapproved renovations can block drains, raise floor or ground levels, and redirect rainwater, increasing the risk of flooding. While the effects may seem limited to one property, they can also impact neighbouring lots and create disputes or environmental issues.

Many local authority enforcement cases begin following complaints about drainage or flooding. Approved plans allow drainage changes to be reviewed and coordinated, reducing the likelihood of disputes and long-term problems.

Legal and financial implications

Unauthorised renovations can lead to long-term legal and financial challenges.

Problems often arise when homeowners apply for housing or refinancing loans, sell or transfer property, or file insurance claims after damage or loss. Discrepancies between approved building plans and the actual structure may delay transactions and require rectification.

Most local authorities provide a process to regularise unauthorised works, subject to inspection and compliance with safety requirements. Engaging a PEPC-certified engineer early can reduce costs, time, and uncertainty.

The role of local authorities

Local authorities oversee building and planning controls to protect public safety and ensure orderly development.

Their responsibilities include reviewing building submissions, conducting site inspections, responding to complaints, and enforcing regulations when necessary. Enforcement is usually graduated, beginning with inspection and notices that give owners a chance to comply. Serious action is taken only when owners fail to respond or when safety risks are significant.

Building control is not intended to discourage development; it exists to ensure that growth occurs safely and responsibly.

Why PEPC-certified engineers matter

Professional Engineers with PEPC certification play a critical role in maintaining safety and compliance.

Their responsibilities include assessing structural capacity, designing safe modifications, ensuring submissions meet regulations, and accepting professional accountability. Their involvement provides assurance that renovation works are technically sound and legally defensible.

Engaging qualified professionals protects homeowners, occupants, and authorities alike.

A cooperative path forward for Sabah

Unauthorised renovations often result from limited awareness rather than deliberate non-compliance. Addressing this issue requires cooperation rather than confrontation:

• Property owners should seek professional advice before renovating and respond promptly to notices.
• PEPC-certified engineers should guide owners toward safe and compliant solutions.
• Local authorities should continue public education and provide clear guidance.

When these parties work together, compliance improves and enforcement becomes more effective and transparent.

Conclusion

Buildings are long-term assets that affect not only owners, but also families, neighbours, and communities.

In Sabah, unauthorised renovations may appear convenient, but they carry hidden risks that can compromise safety, property value, and public trust. These risks are best managed through proper approval processes and professional involvement.

By engaging PEPC-certified engineers, complying with local authority requirements, and fostering shared responsibility, Sabah can continue to develop safely, resiliently, and sustainably for the future.