personally i don't think it will be jail term for failing to pay maintenance la. aiyo, the way you say it, is like ecobotanic become nazi germany with Tan Sri being the dictator there. seriously, about 1998-2000 strata ttile landed g&g first show up in KL and is for those very exclusive houses. later on (as is normal for product life cycles) it trickle down to mass market. of course there are people who r unhappy with being forced to comply with this rule and that. but fyi, there are many who will think the disadvantage you mention is an advantage. For me, i would like all residents to follow the by law, such as not simply renovating until the whole row of houses become rojak like that, and i hate those who don't pay maintenance. if you read the many thread like senibong, LF, EL, HH you will also find many like minded ppl. in fact, tehy complain that people do renovation since it spoil the look of the houses.
everyting got advantage and disadvantage. cannot just blanket rule apply saying this good that no good etc.
I apologize for using the word jail term. I agree is too heavy for this. Anyway.....my advice is the same. Careful when choosing one strata title property (landed). Keep an eye of the developer. Last time, condos have lots of issues. For landed, you will have more rights owning an individual title than owning strata title. But if choose the one with strata title, becareful.