This paper focus point is common building defects that usually give result instead of the negative impacts on the teaching and learning environment school buildings in Malaysia. An overview of common defects is involved in the school building, which will facilitate a comparative school building performance. The study stated the failure to control the critical defects in the school building and then concluded that they are affecting the teaching and learning environment. Thus, this study aimed to identify the building defects that commonly happen in school buildings in Malaysia. Next, identified the critical elements of school building involved in defects. It also analyzed the effect of school building defects towards the teaching and learning environment. A literature review was conducted to analysis the common building defects involved at the school building. Beside, this paper reviewed, summarized, and discussed the common building defects that usually happen in the school buildings and the effect to the teaching and learning environment. The survey instruments used in this study were random questionnaire distribution to fifty (50) respondents and interview with ten (10) teachers. The findings had shown that major defects in the school buildings are peeling paint, dampness, and cracked wall. The finding revealed that school building defects mostly affected students’ concentration and attendance where it found from the majority of interview participants, thereby giving a direct impact on the environment of teaching and learning. This paper provides the current information, knowledge and findings that related with common types of school building defects that may affect students’ performance. Therefore, it will assist the school building management, building facilities and other professionals to clarify the specific building defects more early based on the current findings.

Purpose Urban population growth has increased housing density, which has expanded the construction of low-cost low-rise residential in urban areas. Good building performance and effective low-cost low-rise residential quality lead to higher user satisfaction and improve building sustainability. This study aims to focus on the factors influencing the sustainability of low-cost low-rise residential in the West Malaysia urban area to assess resident satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach A mixed-mode approach with both qualitative and quantitative were used in this study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 stakeholders to identify the common factors influencing sustainability in low-cost low-rise residential. Subsequently, questionnaire surveys were formed and distributed among building users to determine the satisfaction level with low-cost low-rise residential building performance. Findings The finding demonstrates that accessibility is the key factor to achieving sustainability of low-cost low-rise residential. The finding also related to the factor that influences both stakeholders and building user satisfaction levels. This study also identifies key areas that require attention to improve user satisfaction with building sustainability and building performance of low-cost low-rise residential. Originality/value This study aims to determine stakeholder and building user satisfaction levels in relation to the sustainable building factor. A few indicators have been set up to identify the factors that most influence the sustainability and environment of low-cost low-rise residential buildings. Each subchapter has a few recommendations to improve the performance of low-cost low-rise residential. Each of the factors mentioned is related to social, economic and environmental sustainability. In addition, the study discovered a strong connection between low-cost low-rise residential performance and user satisfaction.