Guides for foreign buyers of property in Malaysia

Plain answers to what foreigners ask before buying in Malaysia: whether you can buy, what it costs, how to buy safely, and what happens when you let, sell or pass it on. Each guide names its sources and the date it was checked. By Seann Siow, REN 34312.

New here? Start with Can foreigners buy property in Malaysia? It covers the rules in one page and links to the detail.

Can I buy?

Can foreigners buy property in Malaysia?Who needs state approval, what foreigners can't buy, minimum prices, stamp duty, loans and inheritance. Start here.Read the guide →Minimum price for foreigners, by stateThere is no single national minimum. Each state's figure for apartments and landed homes.Read the guide →Can foreigners buy landed property?Where foreigners can buy houses and landed strata, and where they can't.Read the guide →State approval for foreign buyersEvery foreign purchase needs the state's written approval. Who applies and the fees.Read the guide →

Costs, taxes and loans

What taxes do foreign buyers pay?Stamp duty, state fees, yearly local taxes and tax on rent, in one place.Read the guide →What a RM1 million condo really costsThe full bill for a foreign buyer, beyond the price, with worked examples.Read the guide →Home loans for foreignersHow to buy with a Malaysian home loan: the steps, the documents and what to ask the bank.Read the guide →Costs and tax for foreign buyersWhat a foreigner pays to own property in Malaysia, from purchase to inheritance.Read the guide →

Buying safely

Buying step by stepChecking the developer, booking, signing from overseas, the payments and the red flags.Read the guide →Malaysia vs SingaporeHow the rules, taxes and prices compare for a foreign buyer.Read the guide →

Renting out, selling and passing it on

Gross vs net rental yieldHow to work out what a rental property really earns after costs.Read the guide →Selling as a foreigner: RPGTReal property gains tax on a sale, and what the seller must do.Read the guide →Can foreigners inherit property?How Malaysian property passes to foreign heirs, wills, probate and the taxes.Read the guide →

Living in Malaysia

MM2H, PVIP and Sarawak MM2HMalaysia's long-stay programmes: deposits, the home you must buy, who you can bring.Read the guide →

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Buying in Malaysia

Is Malaysia actually worth it for foreign buyers?

Is Malaysia property safe for foreign buyers? How the HDA protects you

Inheritance tax explained: why Malaysia is 0%

Expats are buying the wrong property in Kuala Lumpur

Living in Kuala Lumpur

4 reasons Western expats are moving to Malaysia

Why do expats choose to live in Bangsar?

Is Mont Kiara too congested? Are expats leaving or staying?

Is Desa ParkCity really affordable? Why expats keep moving in

Expat families' second option after Desa ParkCity: Bukit Jalil

Before you pay a booking fee

Foreign Investor's Due Diligence Checklist (free)

The checks to make before you commit to any property in Malaysia.

Get the free checklist

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General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and fees change; each guide shows the date it was checked. Seann Siow, REN 34312.