Short-term rentals: say what exactly you’re looking for

Short-term rentals in Malaysia: prices, fees and what to ask

Updated 4 November 2026

Short-term rentals in Malaysia are not outlawed, but they now work within local rules and fees. A studio is listed at about RM 1,500 a month and a master bedroom at about RM 1,000 a month, while nightly or weekly prices need a separate request. For current prices in your city, post a request on BlaBlaPrice and get offers from local hosts.

Local rules and fees

In Penang, the fees published with the by-laws in August 2026 charge RM 400 a year for a single-room unit, RM 600 for two rooms and RM 800 for three rooms. In apartment and condominium buildings, the management corporation can collect an annual fee of RM 250 to RM 500 per unit, with registration fees of up to RM 250. Outside these examples, check the rules for the district where the unit is, because the snippets do not show one national fee.

Season and demand

The climate is hot all year, with a wet and a dry season instead of winter and summer, so a short stay does not follow a cold-weather pattern. A 2026 report describes tourism and short-term rental demand growing as travellers and digital nomads look for flexible stays. Ask hosts for their availability calendar before you agree to a date.

How stays are priced here

Listings in the results quote RM per month, for studios and master bedrooms, and some units are fully furnished for flexible terms. Ask for the nightly or weekly rate as well, and whether the price includes the council and strata fees. Prices also differ by district, so name the district in Kuala Lumpur, George Town, Johor Bahru, Ipoh or Shah Alam.

What to write in the request

State the number of nights, weeks or months, the district or city, the number of guests, whether you need a studio, a room or a whole house, and your budget in RM. Ask the host to confirm the licence or registration of the unit, since the rules vary by place.

Post the request on BlaBlaPrice: it is free for buyers. The AI reads it, asks for missing details, looks through sellers' websites and price lists in Malaysia and shows the prices and businesses it found. Sellers reply in the chat with their own offer, and your contacts stay hidden until you decide to share them. For other options, see Houses for daily or hourly rent, Apartments for daily or hourly rent or Hotels & holiday resorts.