​​✱✱ Calculate your home loan & stamp duty costs here! ✱✱

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What else do I need to pay for upon delivery of vacant possession?

Congratulations! Now that you've got the keys to your new property, you'll need to consider these costs too:

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• Monthly

- Maintenance fees and sinking fund (if applicable)

- TNB (electricity)

- Syabas (water)

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• Every 6 months
- Indah Water (sewerage)

- DBKL Assessment (cukai pintu)

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• Annually

- Quit Rent (cukai tanah, for landed properties)

- Parcel Rent (cukai petak, for strata properties)

- Fire Insurance

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• Others, if applicable:

- Renovation costs

- Home insurance (Houseowner policy, Householder policy, Landlord insurance, etc.)

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Budget 2025: Campaigns, Incentives & Exemptions

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• Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme (SJKP):

- For those without payslip and/or who are self-employed; however tax returns or proof of income required instead of payslips;

- Funding limit: Up to RM500,000 (including the amount of principal financing, MRTA/MRTT, LTHO, legal fees and appraisal fees);

- Funding guarantee: SJKP provides up to 110% financing, covering property cost plus expenses, up to RM500,000; SJKP MADANI offers up to 120% financing (max RM360,000) including renovation/furnishing;

- Funding period: Up to 35 years, or until borrower reaches age 70—whichever occurs first;

- Mandatory deposit equivalent to 3 months of monthly payments.

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• Tax Relief for First-Time Homebuyers:

- New in Budget 2025, this relief allows first-time purchasers to claim up to RM7,000 per year (for properties priced up to RM500,000) or RM5,000 per year (for properties RM500,001–RM750,000) on their home loan interest; 

- The relief is valid for three consecutive assessment years, but it only applies if the Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) is signed between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2027; 

- To qualify, the property must be owner-occupied and not used to generate rental or other income; 

- This measure provides a significant financial advantage, especially when combined with stamp duty exemptions.​

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• BNM First Home Scheme:

The Skim Rumah Pertamaku (SRP) is a government-backed programme coordinated by Cagamas SRP Berhad under Bank Negara Malaysia to help Malaysians buy their first home without needing a large upfront deposit.

Banks give up to 105 % financing and the scheme guarantees the portion above 90 % so lenders are willing to approve high-loan-value mortgages.

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Eligibility:

• Must be a Malaysian citizen

• First-time homebuyer (single or joint with immediate family)

• Income limit: varies by bank, generally up to RM5,000/month for single or RM10,000/month household

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Property Criteria:

• Residential only (new, completed or subsale)

• Owner-occupied (not purely for rental/investment)

• Price cap: up to RM500,000

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Financing Features:

• Up to 105 % financing:

  • 100 % of the property price

  • plus up to 5 % to cover MRTA/MRTT premium, legal & valuation fees

• No downpayment required

• Loan tenure: up to 35 years or until the borrower turns 70

• ​Amortising loan (no redraw/flexi features)

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• My First Home Scheme by Maybank:

Similar to the BNM First Home Scheme, is part of a government-backed financing initiative aimed at helping first-time Malaysian homebuyers (including salaried and self-employed individuals) purchase residential property with minimal upfront cost and favorable financing terms.

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Eligibility Criteria:

• Malaysian citizens only

• Must be a first-time homebuyer

• Income cap: Individually up to RM5,000/month, or combined household total up to RM10,000/month

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Property Requirements:

• Residential properties only (new, under-construction, or subsale—primary or secondary market)

• Must be owner-occupied (not solely for investment or rental purposes)

• Price ceiling: up to RM500,000

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Financing Features:

• Up to 105 % financing:

  • 100 % of the property value

  • plus up to 5 % to cover MRTA/MRTT, legal, valuation, and other associated costs

• No downpayment required

• Loan tenure: up to 35 years or until the borrower turns 70, whichever occurs first

• ​Amortising loan (no redraw/flexi features)

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​• HouzKEY Homeownership Plan:

Maybank's HouzKEY is a Shariah-compliant homeownership plan offered by Maybank Islamic, based on the Islamic Ijarah Muntahiyah Bi Tamlik contract, which essentially operates like a rent-to-own (RTO) arrangement. It is designed to help Malaysians overcome the high upfront cost of homeownership by providing flexible financing and improved cash flow during the early years.

 

Key Features of HouzKEY:

1. 100% Financing / No Downpayment - HouzKEY offers full financing

2. No Payments During Construction - Borrowers only start making payments after the property is completed (i.e., upon receiving the key or vacant possession) 

3. Lowest Initial Monthly Payments - The payment structure is designed to be light during the first 5 years, helping buyers manage cash flow efficiently 

4. Refundable 3-Month Security Deposit - Instead of a typical downpayment, a refundable security deposit equal to three months' installment is required upon signing the SPA and financing agreement. This deposit is refunded if there are no outstanding obligations at the end of the tenure

5. Flexible Tenure Structure - Initial tenure is 5 years, followed by the option to extend the term up to a total of 35 years, or until the borrower turns 70, whichever comes first 

6. Eligibility Requirements
- Open to Malaysian citizens aged 18 to 70
- Applicants can include up to three immediate family guarantors to enhance approval chances.
- Must not hold more than one existing home financing at the time of application

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• HOC 2.0 / Free Stamp Duty on MOT & Loan Agreement:

- For the first home priced up to RM500,000 (SPA signed before 31 Dec 2025)

- Only applicable to residential properties, excluding SOHO/SOFO/SOVO/serviced residences

- First-time homebuyers must be Malaysian citizens. Also applicable for abandoned housing projects under developers appointed or approved by the Minister of Housing and Local Government to carry on rehabilitation works for said projects.

- Buyer must not already own a residential property, inherited/gifted/jointly-owned property included

- The exemption is given at 2 stages of transfer, i.e. from the property developer to a qualifying financial institution/bank, and from the bank to the Malaysian citizen.

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• Rent-to-Own (RTO) PR1MA (with Maybank)

- Open to Malaysian citizens, aged 21 years and above
- Offers the M40 group an opportunity to own a PR1MA home via a rent-to-own model

- Designed for individuals who can’t afford upfront costs, offering a flexible, gradual ownership path

- A 5-year moratorium will be imposed on the property, during which it cannot be sold/transferred without approval from PR1MA

- Property priced between RM100,000-RM400,000; must be owner-occupied and no subletting is allowed

- Applicants must have an individual/combined (husband & wife) monthly household income of RM2,500-RM15,000

- Applicants must not own more than one property, between them and their spouse.

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• Smart Sewa (Rumah Selangorku)

Smart Sewa is a rent-to-own housing programme by the Selangor state government. Successful applicants rent a Rumah Selangorku home for a few years first, and part of their rent is saved as a deposit. When they are ready, they can use that saved deposit to buy the home. 

 

Benefits of the Smart Sewa programme:

• No big upfront deposit needed

• Helps tenants gradually become homeowners

• State government actively funding and expanding the scheme in 2025

How It Works:

• Rental period: 2–5 years

• 30% of your rent is refunded or used as a down payment if you buy the home within 5 years

• Monthly rent: from about RM600–RM650 (depends on location & property type)

• Designed only for Selangor homes

 

Who Can Apply:

• Malaysian citizens who live, work and vote in Selangor

• No current property ownership in Selangor

• Income limits:

  • Type A (low-cost): ≤ RM5,000/month household

  • Type B, C & D (affordable): ≤ RM15,000/month (priority for < RM10,000)

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Tips for the Buyer
Thinking of buying a home and/or an investment property? Here are some basic tips:

Buying a home - be it a house or condo - can be a daunting experience. For most people, it is the biggest investment anyone will make in their lifetime. As such, you may want to consider these several points when doing your homework, which is the most important task you need to complete before acquiring a property for your personal use.

Before You Start Looking For Your New Home:

• Determine a comfortable monthly budget for your new purchase, including down payment and monthly payment. Use the loan calculator to assist you.

• Find a loan program that meets your needs and get pre-qualified (preferably pre-approved). 

• Choose a real estate agency or negotiator that you trust and who understands your needs.

• Determine what type/which neighborhood that best matches your needs.

• Identify important features you need your new home to have (see below). 

When Looking For A Home - Points to consider:

When buying a home, ask yourself how the property is going to fit your needs. Think hard and understand how you live your life or the kind of lifestyle you prefer. Separate that form the sometimes fiction of what you think you want in a house. Nevertheless, it is also advisable for potential buyers to not get emotionally involved. Many people talk themselves into falling in love with the property before they've really looked at it. What you really should be looking at is the quality as well as location.

Does the property have curb appeal? Look at the outside of the house from the curb because that is going to give you a great clue as to how the rest of the house has been maintained. For example, savvy buyers would look for signs of water damage on the exterior; deterioration or damage of the roof; is the there peeling, bubbling or stain damage on the paint, or does it look worn or thin?; do you see cracks in the exterior brick?; etc. Of course, it doesn't necessarily mean you should pass on the house, but rather a sign that you need a qualified expert to examine the situation before you buy.

From an investment perspective, how easy is this property going to be to resell? Look into features of the property that can affect or effect the resale.

Be nosy - but not intrusive - when you tour the property. Open cabinet doors, inspect the appliances (e.g. oven doors, refrigerator, dishwashers) if they come with the house, walk through the attic and garage (if any), test out the heating and air-conditioning systems, check the condition of built-in furnitures/fixtures, take note of how well the garden in kept, look for signs of quality (e.g. materials used in the home), take note if there are fresh paint, mold and/or rust (they "may all be telling you something"), etc. Hidden spaces like air filter and the ducts can also sometimes gauge how well the property has been taken care of in the past. But if you're touring someone's home, do refrain yourself from touching their personal belongings. Remember, you're still a visitor.

To check the condition of the floor, walk from one corner to another of the room and the length of the hallways and stairways. You should be able to feel the depressions, dips or bubbles if there are any. Also, diagonal cracks above the interior door jams or windows and windows that don't open properly could mean a foundation problem.

Talk to the present owners to find out what sorts of work they have done to the property while it has been in their care. And if you are planning on remodeling it yourself later on, make sure the house is up to the job. Verify any ongoing costs like utilities, maintenance fees, taxes, etc.

If you are buying a condominium, you may want to talk to some residents to find out if the condo board has a good working relationship with the community and check if the association is well funded and maintains a good financial record.

Show some appreciation. Real estate professionals often sing the praises of location, location, location. For the higher priced neighbourhoods in particular, the value to the property is the land it sits on. Is the property located near to shopping centres, a commercial area, parks and schools?

For a new neighbourhood, talk to the developers and/or local municipal office and find out the development plan for the area, e.g: Will there be a highway or road expansions to offer easier access? What kind of facilities will there be in the area six months from now? Do analyse the potential for appreciation based on location, distance from adverse conditions and the likelihood that the neighbourhood improves or stays the same.

Also, don't forget to try out your commute, i.e. from your workplace, shopping centres/commercial areas, your kids' schools, etc. Talk to the neighbors, too. Ask them if there is anything that you need to know about what is happening in the general area.
 

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Quick Check-list:

1) Neighbourhood: Evaluate the location according to the atmosphere, the proximity to nearby facilities/amenities

(e.g. shops, eateries, schools, clinics, petrol stations, etc.)

2) Noise: Look for factors that may disturb your sleep, e.g. sound of traffic from nearby highway or train/commuter tracks.
 

3) Smells: Odours from manufacturing, waste processing facilities, oxidation pond, etc.
 

4) Animals: The sound of constantly barking dogs could be very annoying, especially if they belong to your new next-door neighbours. Also, check if the neighbourhood has any pest-control problems in general.
 

5) Crime: Gated and guarded neighbourhoods are the norm these days. However, you may also want to check with the Residents' Association and/or the police if the local area has a problem with home break-ins, burglary or car theft.
 

6) Commute time: What is the cost and how long will it take to get to work by car or public transport? What are the alternative routes or short-cuts available?
 

7) Schools: For families with your children, you would want to find find out how accessible schooling is and the reputation of schools in the local area.
 

8) Hospitals: Make sure that there is a medical facility not too far away.
 

9) Home Garden: Sure, it is nice to have a garden, but it won't look after itself. Do you have a personal gardener or is there one in the neighbourhood that you can hire on regular/occasional basis?
 

10) Property condition: It is essential to determine the necessary work that needs to be done and how much it will cost, particularly if you are prepared to do work on an old property. Be sure to check the structural soundness, which should be evaluated by a property surveyor and/or other qualified experts.
 

11) Interior features: Is there ample living space for the whole family? Is there an additional room for a visiting relative/friend to stay over or might a grandparent move in? Will there be enough rooms for a growing family? Are there enough wardrobes and how much clutter must be accommodated? Do you need a small office area or working space? How important is the balcony and its view to you? For those who do a lot of cooking, is the kitchen big enough? And for those who like to eat in the kitchen, is there space for a table? How many stairs are there and how steep are they? Determine the property layout and consult your feng shui expert if necessary.
 

12) Car Parking: Check if the front porch can accommodate the number of cars your family has, or if there is an additional garage. For those who expect frequent visitors, take note if there is ample space or a proper parking lot nearby your property.


* Also read: 
- What You Need to Know About Homebuyer's Tribunal

- Loanstreet: Best Housing Loans Malaysia 

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