Vilaris Courtyard Homes Batu Uban | Gated Freehold Landed
Vilaris Courtyard Homes is Runnymede's finished enclave of three-storey freehold houses at The Sanctuary in Batu Uban, and it answers one question well: where on the island can a large household buy a landed home that already exists, behind a guarded gate? The estate holds 56 houses, and the latest developer brochure lists the remaining Phase 2 units as limited.
This review weighs it up. Briefly, you get a great deal of house, an optional lift and a quiet gated setting; you accept an expired defect period, a monthly strata charge and plenty of stairs in the version without the lift.
Project Information
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Development | Vilaris Courtyard Homes Batu Uban |
| Developer | Runnymede (B.U. Developments Sdn Bhd) |
| Property Type | Landed Property (3-storey courtyard homes) |
| Tenure | Freehold |
| Land Title | Residential, strata title |
| Total Units | 56 houses on 5.3 acres |
| Location | Batu Uban, Gelugor, Penang |
| Car Parks | Own porch for four cars |
| Security | Gated and guarded, single entrance |
| Expected Completion | Completed, CCC April 2016 |
Unit Types & Land Sizes
| Type | Land Size | Storeys | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1a | 24' x 80' | 3 storeys | 18 |
| A2a | 24' x 80' | 3 storeys, private lift | 11 |
The two designs on offer share a 24 by 80 foot lot and an identical room list over three storeys. The lift version, A2a, measures 13 sq ft more. How deep the back garden runs differs from lot to lot.
Why Choose Vilaris Courtyard Homes Batu Uban?
- A finished house you can walk through — the CCC came through in April 2016, so there is no build risk and nothing to imagine from a brochure.
- Freehold land with a landed home on it — the houses carry residential strata titles on freehold ground, a pairing that is hard to find on Penang Island.
- A bathroom for every bedroom — the master, two family bedrooms and the guest room downstairs each have one, on top of a maid's bathroom and a powder room.
- An optional private lift — in Type A2a it runs from the porch level up to the bedroom floor.
- Four cars under cover — the porch sits beneath the living floor and takes two pairs of cars, leaving the street clear.
Where Vilaris Courtyard Homes Batu Uban Falls Short
- No defect cover left — the developer's 2024 summary says the liability period has lapsed on the unsold houses, so any repair is the owner's bill.
- Stairs every day — without the lift, the kitchen is one storey up from the car and the bedrooms are two.
- Monthly strata charges — a gated strata enclave means a maintenance fee and a sinking fund, and the lift houses pay the higher rate.
- Little to choose from — Phase 1 has sold out, the plans on offer are intermediate lots only, and there are no weekend viewings.
Who Vilaris Courtyard Homes Batu Uban Suits
Large or multi-generation families who want landed living on the island without waiting for construction, condominium owners trading up who still value a guarded gate, and households with an elderly parent who will take the lift house. It is a weaker fit for someone who wants a single-storey home, a new-build warranty or the pick of an end or corner lot.
Where the Build Stands
Building work ended years ago: the certificate of completion and compliance is dated 4 April 2016. Phase 1 has sold out, and the most recent brochure offers a limited number of Phase 2 houses. Viewings go through Runnymede's sales gallery on weekdays between 10am and 4pm, using the mock-up house, Unit 15, which occupies an A2a position on the site plan.
Location & Connectivity
Batu Uban sits on the island's east coast, between the two Penang bridges and close to the USM campus. The Sanctuary is a hillside estate there, and Vilaris shares it with Runnymede's Triuni Residences towers and a cluster of bungalows. The distances below come from Runnymede's own table for the estate.
- SK Sungai Nibong — about 1.7 km
- SMJK Phor Tay — about 1.8 km
- SJK(C) Keong Hoe — about 1.9 km
- Universiti Sains Malaysia — about 2.4 km
- Queensbay Mall — about 2.8 km
- Sunshine Square — about 4.2 km
- INTI International College Penang — about 4.3 km
- Pantai Hospital Penang — about 4.8 km
- Setia SPICE Arena — about 4.9 km
- Lam Wah Ee Hospital — about 7.4 km
How the House Is Laid Out
Read the plans from the street upwards. The lowest level holds the four-car porch, the guest room and its en-suite, quarters for a helper, plus storage and utility space. One floor up come the living room, the dining table, a dry kitchen built around an island and a wet kitchen behind a door, with a planted courtyard and a powder room next to the stairs. The top floor carries the master suite with its study corner and balcony, two further bedrooms with bathrooms, and a family hall.
About Runnymede
The company behind Vilaris is B.U. Developments Sdn Bhd, a Runnymede Group company, which also developed The Sanctuary's bungalows and the Triuni towers next door.
Founded in Penang in 1994, Runnymede has also delivered Prai Tropika in Seberang Perai, an EPF (KWSP) office building in George Town and the Kem Tun Razak scheme at Bukit Gedung. In partnership with Ritz-Carlton, it is bringing the heritage Runnymede Hotel on Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah back to life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vilaris Courtyard Homes Batu Uban freehold or leasehold?
Vilaris Courtyard Homes Batu Uban is held on a freehold title. The land use is Residential, strata title.
How many units does Vilaris Courtyard Homes Batu Uban have?
56 houses on 5.3 acres.
What unit sizes are available at Vilaris Courtyard Homes Batu Uban?
2 layouts are offered — A1a on 24' x 80' lots (18 units); A2a on 24' x 80' lots (11 units).
Is Vilaris Courtyard Homes a good fit for a multi-generation family?
It is one of its strengths. Each bedroom has a bathroom of its own, the guest room sits a floor apart from the family bedrooms, and Type A2a adds a lift linking all three levels.
What is the difference between Type A1a and Type A2a?
The rooms are the same. A2a adds a private lift next to the staircase and comes to 3,952 sq ft, against 3,939 sq ft for A1a.
Is there still a defect liability period at Vilaris?
No. The developer's May 2024 summary states that the remaining units no longer carry one, so arrange your own building inspection before committing.
When can I view a house at Vilaris Courtyard Homes?
On weekdays, by arrangement through Runnymede's sales gallery in Gelugor. Unit 15 serves as the mock-up house for visits, and Saturdays and Sundays are not available.
Is parking included with the unit at Vilaris Courtyard Homes Batu Uban?
Own porch for four cars.
Is Vilaris Courtyard Homes Batu Uban completed?
Yes. Completed, CCC April 2016 Units are sold by the developer with immediate handover, so there is no construction period to wait out.
Where is Vilaris Courtyard Homes Batu Uban located?
Vilaris Courtyard Homes Batu Uban is located in Batu Uban, Gelugor, Penang.
Who is the developer of Vilaris Courtyard Homes Batu Uban?
Vilaris Courtyard Homes Batu Uban is developed by Runnymede (B.U. Developments Sdn Bhd).
More buyer questions answered — freehold vs leasehold, HDA titles, booking process and financing
Inquiry - Vilaris Courtyard Homes Batu Uban | Gated Freehold Landed
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