Seller guide · Sarawak
Selling your property in Sarawak
What you receive depends on the agent fee, legal fee, Real Property Gains Tax and what is still owed to the bank. This guide sets out each cost, the usual timeline and the recorded prices in Sarawak, so you can price with evidence.
Seller costs
What comes off the sale price
| Cost | Typical amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Agent fee | Up to 3% plus 8% SST | Maximum allowed by the Board of Valuers, Appraisers, Estate Agents and Property Managers; agreed in writing. |
| Your lawyer’s fee | 1.25% of the first RM500,000, 1% of the next RM7 million, plus SST | Solicitors’ Remuneration Order 2023; minimum RM500. |
| RPGT | 0% to 30% of the gain | Depends on how long you have owned it; see below. |
| Loan redemption | Outstanding loan plus any early settlement fee | Check your loan’s lock-in period. |
| Outstanding bills | Maintenance, sinking fund, quit rent, assessment | Settled or apportioned to completion. |
Tax
RPGT: how long you have owned it matters
| Year of disposal | Citizen or PR | Malaysian company | Foreigner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Within 3 years | 30% | 30% | 30% |
| 4th year | 20% | 20% | 30% |
| 5th year | 15% | 15% | 30% |
| 6th year onwards | 0% | 10% | 10% |
Real Property Gains Tax on the chargeable gain. Individuals also get an exemption of RM10,000 or 10% of the gain, whichever is higher.
At the SPA the buyer’s lawyer holds back 3% of the price (7% if the seller is not a Malaysian citizen or PR) and pays it to LHDN towards your RPGT. You file the RPGT return within 60 days of the SPA; any balance is refunded.
Sarawak rules
What applies to foreign buyers and sellers in Sarawak
State rules as summarised on the Sarawak property page; confirm the current position with your lawyer before you sign.
Sarawak Land Code (Cap. 81), not the National Land Code
Sarawak has its own land law. Section 13A bars foreigners from holding land unless an exception applies. Source: Mondaq / Low & Partners; S.K. Ling & Tan Advocates.
Strata units: allowed, no Sarawak minimum price
Section 13E(2)(b) lets foreigners buy individual parcels in a building subdivided under the Strata Titles Ordinance 1995. Law firms citing the 2019 Direction say commercial and residential strata units carry no minimum market value. Some secondary guides quote RM600,000 for strata too, so confirm with your lawyer. Source: Lo & Partners; S.K. Ling & Tan; IQI Global.
Landed homes: RM600,000 in Kuching Division, RM500,000 elsewhere
Set by the Land (Market Value of Property for Foreign Acquisition) (Amendment) Direction 2019. The same figures apply to house purchases under the S-MM2H programme. Source: Mondaq; S-MM2H programme page.
State approval before you buy
Approval comes through the Land and Survey Department, Sarawak, under ministerial direction; lawyers advise getting it before signing. No published state levy was found. Source: IQI Global; S.K. Ling & Tan.
Native land is off limits
Section 8(a) bars non-natives, including Malaysians from outside Sarawak, from Native Area Land, Native Customary Land and Interior Area Land. Source: Mondaq / Low & Partners.
Excluded property types
Low-cost and low-cost-plus homes, Bumiputera-reserved units, vacant land and landed commercial property cannot be bought by foreigners. Source: S.K. Ling & Tan; IQI Global.
Price evidence
What units sell for in Sarawak
Recorded transactions for projects on this site, as cited on each project page. A price set on evidence sells faster than one set on portal asking prices.
| Project | Figure | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Riverine Diamond | RM350,000 – RM620,000 · about RM650–730 psf by layout recorded sales | irumah.co transaction records, viewed Oct 2026 |
| Rivervale Condominium | RM574 psf · typical RM528–633 psf median, last 48 months | EdgeProp, viewed Oct 2026 |
| Sapphire On The Park | RM572 psf · typical RM440–645 psf median, last 48 months | EdgeProp, viewed Oct 2026 |
| TriBeCa Condominium & Suites | RM526 psf (Nov 2021, 1,432 sq ft) last recorded high | EdgeProp, viewed Oct 2026 |
Transacted figures from EdgeProp, Brickz or NAPIC as cited on each project page.
Timeline
Steps to sell
- Valuation and pricing (1–3 days): recorded prices, an asking price and the agent fee agreed in writing.
- Marketing and viewings (typically 1–3 months, depending on price and condition).
- Offer and earnest deposit (2–3%) from a buyer whose loan eligibility has been checked.
- SPA signed within about 14 days; the buyer pays the balance of the 10% deposit and the RPGT retention is held.
- Completion usually 3 months from the SPA or state consent, plus a 1-month extension if needed; your loan is redeemed and the balance released.
Straight answers
Frequently asked questions
How much RPGT do I pay if I sell in Sarawak?
RPGT is a federal tax and the same in every state: 30% of the gain within three years, then 20%, 15% and 0% for Malaysian individuals from the sixth year. Foreigners pay 30% within five years and 10% after.
How long does it take to sell a property in Sarawak?
Marketing usually takes one to three months for a well-priced unit, then about three months from the SPA to completion, longer if the buyer needs state consent.
Can a foreign owner sell to another foreigner?
Yes, if the buyer meets the Sarawak rules for foreign buyers (Sarawak Land Code (Cap. 81), not the National Land Code) and obtains state consent; check any minimum holding period in the state rules above.
Should I sell or rent out?
It depends on your loan, the rent the unit can achieve, how long you have owned it (RPGT) and whether you need the cash. Jason can compare both for your unit.
General information by a registered agent, not legal or tax advice. Rates as published for 2026; your lawyer and LHDN have the final figure. Checked October 2026.
What is your Sarawak property worth?
Send the project and unit size. I reply with recorded prices for similar units, a realistic asking price and what you would receive after costs.