How do you check a new property project in Malaysia is safe to buy?

Updated 29 October 2026. Prices, fees and taxes on this page are current at that date, are not guaranteed and may change in future. Sources are listed at the end.

Short answer: Look the project up on KPKT's TEDUH portal: it shows the developer's licence, the advertising and sales permit with its expiry date, the approved price range and the delivery date. Then ask your lawyer to search the land title, confirm you'll sign the standard Housing Development Act contract, and look at what the developer has delivered before. Those four checks catch most problems before you pay anything.

No permit, no booking. A licensed developer must have a current advertising and sales permit before selling. If you can't find the project on TEDUH, or the permit has expired, don't pay.

Five checks before you book

1. The licence and permit on TEDUH

Search the project or developer on KPKT's TEDUH portal. Note the developer's licence number, the advertising and sales permit number and its expiry date. The permit number should also appear on the developer's brochures and adverts.

2. The delivery date and price range

TEDUH shows the delivery date under the first sale and purchase agreement, and the approved minimum and maximum prices. Compare them with what you're told. A "from" price below the approved minimum, or a delivery date that doesn't match, is a question to ask.

3. The contract

For a strata home from a licensed developer you should sign the standard Schedule H contract. Its delivery deadline, late-delivery compensation and defects period can't be reduced by the developer. Ask your lawyer to confirm the contract is the prescribed one. Units such as SoVo or SoFo offices are outside the Act's standard contract.

4. The land

Your lawyer searches the land title: the owner, tenure, land use, and any charge to a bank or restriction. A charge to the developer's financier is normal for a new project; your lawyer checks how it will be released for your unit.

5. The developer's record

Look at projects the developer has finished: were they delivered on time, and how do they look now? Visit one if you can. Check the developer's listing on Bursa Malaysia if it is listed, and search the news for its name.

Questions to ask the developer or agent

Is this unit open to foreign buyers, and is it above the state's foreign minimum?
Is it a Bumiputera-reserved unit? Foreigners can't buy those.
What is the tenure and land use on the title?
What will the maintenance fee and sinking fund be? See Maintenance fees.
Will the booking fee be refunded in full if I don't sign the agreement? Get the answer in writing on the booking form.

If something goes wrong

Buyers under the Housing Development Act can claim against the developer at the Tribunal for Homebuyer Claims, for up to RM50,000, without a lawyer. Larger claims go to court. Late delivery is compensated under the contract at 10% a year of the price.

How I check the projects on my site

For every project I sell, I check the TEDUH record: permit, approved prices, unit count and delivery date. The completion dates on my project pages come from TEDUH and are dated, so you can see when I last checked.

Watch the video

How the Housing Development Act protects buyers of new homes, on video.

Is Malaysia property safe for foreign buyers? How the HDA protects you · Subscribe on YouTube

Want me to check a project? Send me the project name, even one I don't sell, and I'll tell you what TEDUH shows. Ask on WhatsApp →

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

Prefer to talk it through? Ask Seann on WhatsApp

Frequently asked questions

How do I check if a developer is licensed in Malaysia?

Search the developer or project on KPKT's TEDUH portal. It shows the developer's licence, the advertising and sales permit with its expiry date, the approved prices and the delivery date.

What is TEDUH?

TEDUH is the housing ministry's (KPKT) public portal for housing projects by licensed developers. It lists each project's licence, permit, approved price range, unit count and delivery date.

What is the advertising and sales permit?

It is the permit a licensed developer needs before advertising or selling homes in a project. Its number should appear on adverts and brochures, and its expiry date is shown on TEDUH.

Where can I complain about a developer in Malaysia?

Buyers under the Housing Development Act can file a claim with the Tribunal for Homebuyer Claims, for up to RM50,000. Larger claims go to court.

Does the Housing Development Act cover serviced apartments?

Many serviced apartments in Kuala Lumpur are sold by licensed developers under the Act, even on commercial land. Office-type units such as SoVo and SoFo generally are not. Check the project on TEDUH and ask your lawyer which contract you'll sign.

Keep reading

About the author

Seann Siow is a registered estate negotiator in Kuala Lumpur (REN 34312) with more than 10 years in property. He helps foreign buyers and relocating families buy new condominiums in Kuala Lumpur.

More about Seann

Sources

Checked 29 October 2026.

Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT), TEDUH portal: developer licence, advertising and sales permit, approved price range and delivery date for each licensed project — teduh.kpkt.gov.my.
Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act 1966 and Regulations 1989, Schedule H (statutory sale and purchase agreement for strata homes): vacant possession within 36 months of the agreement, liquidated damages at 10% a year of the price for late delivery, defects liability period of 24 months from vacant possession.
Tribunal for Homebuyer Claims (Tribunal Tuntutan Pembeli Rumah), awards up to RM50,000, under Part VIA of the Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act 1966.
iProperty, "What is HDA?" (scope: residential and serviced apartments covered; SoFo and SoVo not) — iproperty.com.my.
Ministry of Economy, Garis Panduan Perolehan Hartanah (Guideline on the Acquisition of Properties), in force 13 July 2022 — ekonomi.gov.my.
How Seann checks projects: TEDUH records checked 19 October 2026.

General information, checked on the date shown, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and fees change; confirm them for your purchase with the state land office, a lawyer or a tax adviser. All prices, fees, taxes and figures on this page are based on information current at the date checked, are not guaranteed, and may change in future. Seann Siow, REN 34312.