Renting Out or Renting a Property in Johor Bahru

← All Johor projects · Landlord & tenant guide · Updated October 2026

Johor Bahru has steady rental demand from people who work in Singapore, staff of the industrial parks, students and families relocating to the city. A good tenancy starts with the right rent, a clear agreement and proper deposits. This guide covers how renting works in Johor, the 2026 stamp duty rules, and what landlords and tenants should check.

Steps for landlords

1. Price it right. Jason compares rents for similar units in the same building, so the unit lets quickly without underpricing it.
2. Prepare the unit. Fix defects, clean, and decide what furniture and appliances to include. A short inventory list with photos avoids disputes later.
3. Screen the tenant. Check identity, employment or income, and the number of occupants. Foreign tenants should hold a valid pass.
4. Sign the tenancy agreement and collect deposits. Commonly two months’ rent as security deposit, half to one month as utility deposit, and the first month’s rent in advance.
5. Stamp the agreement. The agreement must be stamped with LHDN within 30 days of signing; see the rates below.
6. Hand over. Hand over the keys, access cards and the inventory, and record the meter readings.

Tenancy stamp duty from 2026

Example: a two-year tenancy at RM2,000 a month has an annual rent of RM24,000. That is 96 units of RM250, so the stamp duty is 96 × RM3 = RM288. Who pays is agreed in the tenancy agreement; it is usually the tenant.

What tenants should check

• The landlord is the registered owner, or has the owner’s written authority to rent the unit out.
• The agreement states the rent, deposits, length of tenancy, renewal option, notice period and who pays for repairs.
• An inventory of furniture and appliances, with photos, is attached to the agreement.
• Access cards, parking bays and visitor rules are confirmed with the management office.
• How and when the security deposit is refunded at the end of the tenancy.

Tax on rental income

Rental income is taxable. Malaysian residents add it to their other income and are taxed at their personal rates; non-residents are generally taxed at a flat 30%. Expenses such as quit rent, assessment, maintenance fees, loan interest and repairs can usually be deducted, so keep the receipts.

Renting in Johor Bahru: quick answers

How much deposit do landlords in Johor Bahru usually ask for?

The common arrangement is two months’ rent as security deposit, half to one month’s rent as utility deposit, and the first month’s rent in advance. Everything is negotiable and should be written into the tenancy agreement.

How much is stamp duty on a tenancy agreement in 2026?

RM1 per RM250 of annual rent for a tenancy of up to one year, RM3 for over one and up to three years, RM5 for over three and up to five years, and RM7 for longer tenancies. The RM2,400 exemption no longer applies from 2026.

Should I sell or rent out my property?

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 options for your unit, see selling your property in Johor.

Berapa deposit sewa rumah di Johor Bahru?

Kebiasaannya deposit keselamatan dua bulan sewa, deposit utiliti setengah hingga sebulan sewa, dan sewa bulan pertama dibayar terlebih dahulu. Perjanjian sewa perlu dicop dengan LHDN dalam tempoh 30 hari.

在新山出租房子要注意什么？

先根据同楼盘租金定价，审核租客身份与收入，签订租约并收取一般为两个月租金的押金加水电押金，租约需在30天内到LHDN盖印花。欢迎WhatsApp Jason免费估算租金或代为出租。

Useful tools: buying costs calculator · can a foreigner buy it? · projects for foreign buyers · all Johor projects

Sources: Stamp Act 1949 tenancy rates as amended from 1 January 2026, and Income Tax Act 1967 treatment of rental income. Deposit levels are common market practice in Johor Bahru, not a legal requirement. General information by a registered agent, not legal or tax advice. Rates are as published for 2026 and can change; your lawyer and LHDN have the final figure. By Jason Lim (REN 84424, IQI Realty Sdn. Bhd. E (1) 1584/6).