Housing & Property in Penang
Renting, Buying, Tenancy Laws & Real Estate Guide
Editorial estimate, not an official figure. Price ranges on this page (rents, fees, typical costs) are indicative estimates. They are not drawn from an official dataset and have not been individually re-verified, so confirm current prices with the provider. Official rules and tariffs are marked with their source and the date we last checked it.
Rental Housing Types
Apartment/Condo
Furnished, secure, maintenance included, good for expats
Common areas: George Town, Gurney, Tanjung Bungah, Bayan Lepas
House (Landed)
More space, yard, privacy, more authentic feel
Common areas: Residential neighborhoods, further from center
Studio/Room Rental
Budget option, furnished, no long-term commitment
Common areas: George Town (popular for budget travelers)
Serviced Apartment
All-inclusive (utilities, WiFi), housekeeping, flexible
Common areas: George Town, Gurney (short & long-term)
Finding Rental Housing
Facebook Groups
Very PopularPenang rental and neighbourhood groups — check a group shows recent posts before trusting it
AirBnB
Popular for short-termMonthly stays available, verify landlord
Airbnb Long-term
GrowingMonthly discount stays (20-30% off), negotiate directly with hosts
Property portals
Good selectionPropertyGuru, iProperty, Mudah.my, EdgeProp
Direct from Landlord
Often best dealsAsk at community, post in groups
Pro tip: Join Facebook groups BEFORE arriving. Post "Looking for rental RM X in [neighborhood]". Expats and landlords respond with options. Direct landlord deals often better terms than agencies.
Rental Process & Costs
Typical Rental Terms
- • Lease length: 1-12 months typical
- • Deposit: 2-3 months rent (refundable)
- • First month's rent: Due before move-in
- • Agency fee: 0.5-1 month rent (if using agent)
- • Utilities: Usually tenant's responsibility
- • Maintenance: Landlord fixes major, tenant minor
Example: RM 2,000/month Apartment
Important: Get Everything in Writing
Always have a written lease agreement, even informal ones. Specify rent amount, lease period, deposit terms, maintenance responsibilities, and move-out conditions. Protects both you and landlord.
Property Ownership for Foreigners
Minimum purchase prices for foreign buyers in Penang
Under section 433B of the National Land Code, a non-citizen or foreign company can acquire property only with the consent of the State Authority; the application is made through a lawyer at the Penang Land and Mines Office.
| Area | Type | Minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Penang Island | Landed | RM 3,000,000 |
| Penang Island | Strata | RM 1,000,000 |
| Seberang Perai (mainland) | Landed | RM 1,000,000 |
| Seberang Perai (mainland) | Strata | RM 500,000 |
- • Foreign companies buying mainland strata: RM 1,000,000 minimum.
- • Permanent residents: RM 250,000 minimum.
- • Not available to foreigners: low-cost, low-medium-cost and medium-cost homes; bumiputera-quota units; properties sold at land-office or bank auction (nlc s.256/260 orders).
- • Agricultural land is not allowed, except by State approval for specified commercial or high-tech projects of at least 5 acres.
- • State approval levy: 3% of the purchase price (1.5% for island strata between RM 1m and RM 1.5m). Application fee: RM 10,000 per title (residential) or RM 20,000 (commercial).
- • Foreign buyers may resell only 3 years after the date of the sale and purchase agreement.
- • Commercial property also needs State consent; low-cost shops, stalls and service workshops are off-limits.
Source: Pejabat Tanah dan Galian Pulau Pinang (Penang Land and Mines Office) — Garis Panduan Permohonan Perolehan dan Pajakan Hartanah oleh Bukan Warganegara atau Syarikat Asing bagi Negeri Pulau Pinang (Dikemaskini pada 01 Ogos 2024) · last checked 2026-10-06
How a foreign purchase works
- 1. Find a property above the Penang minimum for its area and type
- 2. Appoint a Malaysian lawyer — the State consent application can only be made through one
- 3. Sign the sale and purchase agreement (SPA)
- 4. Lawyer applies to the Penang Land and Mines Office for State consent; pay the application fee and, on approval, the levy
- 5. Stamp duty and legal fees are paid separately — ask your lawyer for the current schedule
Critical: Always engage a Malaysian lawyer before purchasing property. These are Penang's rules — every state sets its own floors — and the Land Office can revise them, so have your lawyer confirm the current guideline before you sign.
Housing by Neighborhood
George Town
Gurney Drive
Tanjung Bungah
Bayan Lepas
Tenancy Laws & Protections
Tenant Rights
- ✓ Right to quiet enjoyment of property
- ✓ Landlord must not illegally enter
- ✓ Deposit return terms as set in your tenancy agreement
Landlord Rights
- ✓ Collect rent on time
- ✓ Inspect property with notice
- ✓ Keep property in good condition
- ✓ Evict for non-payment or breach (with notice)
Dispute Resolution
Most tenancy terms in Malaysia are governed by your written agreement, so that is your main protection in a dispute. Avoid informal arrangements and take legal advice if a dispute escalates.
Find Your Home in Penang
Start with rental to explore neighborhoods. Once you find your perfect area, consider long-term lease or property purchase.