Guide · Strata living
JMB vs MC: who runs your building, and when
A JMB (joint management body) runs a strata development after the developer and before strata titles are issued; its members are the developer and the purchasers. An MC (management corporation) takes over once strata titles are issued, and the JMB dissolves three months after the MC's first annual general meeting. Both set and collect the maintenance fee and sinking fund under the Strata Management Act 2013.
JMB and MC at a glance
| JMB (joint management body) | MC (management corporation) | |
|---|---|---|
| When it starts | When its first annual general meeting is convened, which must be within 12 months of vacant possession (section 17). | It comes into existence under the Strata Titles Act 1985 once strata titles are issued. The developer must convene its first annual general meeting (section 57). |
| Members | The developer and the purchasers (section 17). | The parcel owners, as proprietors under the Strata Titles Act 1985. |
| Maintenance fee | Set by the JMB in proportion to share units (section 25). | Set at the MC's general meeting in proportion to share units (section 60). |
| Sinking fund | At least 10% of the Charges (section 25). | At least 10% of the Charges (section 61). |
| When it ends | Three months after the MC's first annual general meeting. It must hand over its money, accounts and records within one month of that meeting (section 27). | It stays in place for the strata scheme. |
A JMB is not formed at all if the MC comes into existence first (section 17).
The timeline, from keys to strata titles
- Vacant possession. The developer maintains and manages the building and the common property (section 9), collects the Charges and sinking fund from purchasers, and pays both on unsold parcels (section 12).
- The JMB's first annual general meeting, within 12 months of vacant possession (section 17). Its agenda includes electing the committee, the budget, the Charges, the sinking fund and the interest rate on late payment (section 19).
- Strata titles are issued, and the MC comes into existence. The developer convenes the MC's first annual general meeting (section 57).
- Handover. Within one month of the MC's first annual general meeting, the JMB must hand the MC its remaining maintenance and sinking fund money, audited accounts, by-laws and records. The JMB dissolves three months after that meeting (section 27).
What changes for owners at the handover
- Who you pay. Bills move from the JMB to the MC, often with a new bank account. Confirm any new account details with the management office, not from a forwarded message.
- Who you elect. Owners elect the MC's committee at its general meetings, in place of the JMB committee.
- What you pay. The Charges and sinking fund are set again at the MC's general meeting. The sinking fund stays at no less than 10% of the Charges.
Who oversees JMBs and MCs
The State Authority appoints a Commissioner of Buildings (COB) for each local authority area (section 4). Owners take complaints about a developer, JMB or MC there; in Kuala Lumpur, DBKL publishes a procedure for the Commissioner to re-examine their accounts. Federally, the Act sits with the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) through the National Housing Department.
The money side
Whether you sit on a JMB or an MC committee, the two accounts and their rules are the same. Our maintenance fee and sinking fund guide covers what each pays for, the 10% rule, late interest and service tax.
Questions
What is a JMB in Malaysia?
A joint management body: the body of the developer and the purchasers that manages a strata development before strata titles are issued. It is established when its first annual general meeting is convened, within 12 months of vacant possession.
What is an MC in Malaysia?
A management corporation: the body of parcel owners that manages a strata scheme once strata titles are issued. It comes into existence under the Strata Titles Act 1985.
When does a JMB become an MC?
A JMB does not turn into an MC. The MC is a separate body that comes into existence when strata titles are issued. The JMB dissolves three months after the MC's first annual general meeting and hands over its money to the MC.
Can a building skip the JMB?
Yes. If the MC comes into existence before a JMB is formed, no JMB is formed.
Who do I complain to about my JMB or MC?
The Commissioner of Buildings (COB) for your local authority area, appointed by the State Authority under section 4 of the Strata Management Act 2013.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from one of these sources. Dates are when the source was published, or when we read a live page.
- Act 757 section 2: interpretation, including Charges and management corporation (read 19 Oct 2026)
- Act 757 section 4: Commissioner of Buildings (read 19 Oct 2026)
- Act 757 section 9: developer to maintain and manage during the developer's management period (read 19 Oct 2026)
- Act 757 section 12: purchaser and developer to pay Charges and sinking fund contribution (read 19 Oct 2026)
- Act 757 section 17: establishment of the joint management body (read 19 Oct 2026)
- Act 757 section 19: first annual general meeting of the joint management body (read 19 Oct 2026)
- Act 757 section 25: parcel owners to pay Charges and sinking fund contribution (read 19 Oct 2026)
- Act 757 section 27: dissolution of the joint management body (read 19 Oct 2026)
- Act 757 section 57: developer to convene the first AGM of the management corporation (read 19 Oct 2026)
- Act 757 section 60: maintenance account of the management corporation (read 19 Oct 2026)
- Act 757 section 61: sinking fund account of the management corporation (read 19 Oct 2026)
- DBKL: SOP for account re-investigation by the Commissioner of Buildings Kuala Lumpur under Act 757 (the procedure in force, read 19 Oct 2026)
- Berita RTM: SPRM puts six proposals on strata financial governance to the National Housing Department (KPKT) (19 Jun 2026)