What costs do you pay when buying property in Malaysia in 2026?

From 1 January 2026, non-citizen buyers (excluding permanent residents under the published rules) generally pay a flat 8% stamp duty on the Memorandum of Transfer for residential property. On an RM 1 million condo that alone is about RM 80,000, versus a much lower citizen tiered bill. Confirm the live LHDN and stamp-office treatment for your passport and PR status before you reserve.

Conveyancing lawyers charge scale or negotiated fees for SPA and transfer work. State-authority consent under Section 433B adds application fees that vary by state. Financiers add valuation, loan agreement stamp duty and processing charges when a bank mortgage is possible. Agent commissions are usually seller-side in many private sales, but check the mandate. New-build SPA schedules may include progressive billing and defect-liability terms separate from MOT duty.

Real Property Gains Tax for non-citizens is commonly cited at 30% of chargeable gains for disposals within five years and about 10% thereafter, with no path to the 0% long-hold relief citizens can eventually reach. Short flips are expensive by design. Non-resident rental income can also face higher withholding treatment; plan tax advice before you treat a vacant Mont Kiara unit as passive income.

Keep a Malaysian bank path ready for completion funds: Open a bank account. Many movers rent first while consent runs: How to rent a home. National living-cost context: How expensive is Malaysia.