How much are maintenance fees and sinking fund on a KL condo?
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: Every condo owner pays a monthly maintenance fee (service charge) to the building's management, plus a sinking fund of at least 10% of that fee for future major repairs, under the Strata Management Act 2013. The fee is set from the building's budget and charged by your share units, usually quoted per square foot. As an example only, a 1,000 sq ft unit at RM0.50 per sq ft pays RM500 a month, plus RM50 sinking fund. The owner pays, even when the unit is rented out.
Ask for the actual figures before you book. Get the current fee per square foot, the sinking fund rate, and whether any special levy is planned. For a completed building, ask for the latest accounts and the minutes of the last annual general meeting.
The two charges
| Charge | What it pays for | How much |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance fee (service charge) | Security, cleaning, common-area electricity and water, lifts, landscaping, insurance of the building, management and audit | Set from the building's budget, shared by share units |
| Sinking fund | Major future work: repainting, replacing lifts and equipment, upgrades | At least 10% of the maintenance fee; a general meeting can set it higher |
Strata Management Act 2013, which applies in Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan.
A worked example
| Item | Amount | Working |
|---|---|---|
| Unit size | 1,000 sq ft | Example |
| Maintenance fee | RM500 a month | 1,000 × RM0.50 per sq ft (example rate) |
| Sinking fund | RM50 a month | 10% of RM500 |
| Total | RM550 a month (≈ US$140) | RM6,600 a year (≈ US$1,650) |
Made-up figures to show the method, not the rate of any building. Real rates depend on the building's facilities and budget.
Who sets the fee, and when it changes
- Before handover and in the first period, the developer manages the building and sets the charges from its budget.
- Then the joint management body (JMB), made up of the developer and owners, takes over.
- Once strata titles are issued, the management corporation (MC), run by the owners, manages the building and votes the budget at the annual general meeting.
Charges can rise when costs rise. Owners can vote at general meetings, which is one reason to attend, or appoint someone to attend for you.
Other yearly costs, separate from the fee
- Assessment tax to the local council and quit rent to the state. See Property taxes.
- Your own electricity, water and internet.
- Contents insurance, and repairs inside your unit.
If you don't pay
Late payments carry interest, capped at 10% a year under the Act, and the management can take further action, including restricting access to facilities and legal recovery. If you're overseas, set up a standing instruction or ask your property manager to pay for you.
How it affects your rental return
The maintenance fee and sinking fund are usually the largest running costs of a rented condo. Take them off the rent before comparing returns. See Gross vs net rental yield.
Want the real figures for a project? Tell me the project and I'll send you its current maintenance fee and sinking fund rate. Ask on WhatsApp →
Read next: Renting out your property as a foreign owner · Off-plan or completed? · How to check a project before you buy
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Frequently asked questions
What is the sinking fund in a Malaysian condo?
A fund for major future repairs and replacements, such as repainting and replacing lifts. Under the Strata Management Act 2013 it is at least 10% of the maintenance charges, and a general meeting can set it higher.
How are condo maintenance fees calculated in Malaysia?
The management sets a budget for running the building and shares it among owners by share units, which reflect each unit's size and type. The fee is usually quoted per square foot per month.
Who pays the maintenance fee, the owner or the tenant?
The owner is liable to the management body. A tenancy agreement can pass the cost to the tenant, but the owner still has to make sure it is paid.
What happens if I don't pay my maintenance fees?
Interest is charged on late payments, capped at 10% a year under the Strata Management Act 2013, and the management body can take recovery action.
Can maintenance fees go up?
Yes. They are set from the building's budget and can rise when costs rise. In the management corporation stage, owners vote on the budget at general meetings.
Keep reading
- Gross vs net rental yield
- Property taxes for foreign buyers
- Renting out your property as a foreign owner
- All projects I'm selling
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.
Sources
Checked 29 October 2026.
- Strata Management Act 2013 (Act 757), including sections 25 and 60 (charges, sinking fund, late-payment interest).
- Strata Management Act 2013 (Act 757): maintenance charges and sinking fund (sinking fund at 10% of the charges, or more if a general meeting decides), late-payment interest capped at 10% a year; summary by StashAway, 19 October 2026 — stashaway.my.
- US dollars: converted at RM4 = US$1 and rounded, a rough guide only.
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.