Malaysia: gross rental yields have moderated, and are now 2.3% to 5.4%
| Last Updated: Nov. 30, 2017 | |||
| KUALA LUMPUR - Apartments and Condos
Ampang |
COST (US$) | YIELD (p.a.) | |
| TO BUY | MONTHLY RENT | ||
| 1-BR sq.m. | 169,297 | 598 | 4.24% |
| 2-BR sq.m. | 272,718 | 878 | 3.86% |
| 3-BR sq.m. | 296,470 | 1,047 | 4.24% |
| 4-BR sq.m. | 494,750 | 1,940 | 4.70% |
| 5-BR sq.m. | 852,862 | 3,545 | 4.99% |
| Ampang Hilir | |||
| 1-BR sq.m. | 190,290 | 616 | 3.89% |
| 2-BR sq.m. | 377,927 | 834 | 2.65% |
| 3-BR sq.m. | 893,636 | 1,697 | 2.28% |
| 4-BR sq.m. | 925,213 | 2,552 | 3.31% |
| 5-BR sq.m. | 1,201,569 | 2,921 | 2.92% |
| Bangsar | |||
| 1-BR sq.m. | 197,650 | 741 | 4.50% |
| 2-BR sq.m. | 254,157 | 950 | 4.49% |
| 3-BR sq.m. | 526,310 | 1,557 | 3.55% |
| 4-BR sq.m. | 1,011,922 | 2,598 | 3.08% |
| 5-BR sq.m. | 1,390,457 | 3,471 | 3.00% |
| Damansara Heights | |||
| 1-BR sq.m. | 307,578 | 743 | 2.90% |
| 2-BR sq.m. | 356,220 | 1,078 | 3.63% |
| 3-BR sq.m. | 376,178 | 1,231 | 3.93% |
| 4-BR sq.m. | 518,695 | 1,757 | 4.06% |
| 5-BR sq.m. | 649,040 | 2,167 | 4.01% |
| Kenny Hills | |||
| 2-BR sq.m. | 215,757 | 634 | 3.53% |
| 3-BR sq.m. | 440,868 | 1,411 | 3.84% |
| 4-BR sq.m. | 572,650 | 2,426 | 5.08% |
| 5-BR sq.m. | 1,025,149 | 2,452 | 2.87% |
| KLCC | |||
| 1-BR sq.m. | 287,052 | 878 | 3.67% |
| 2-BR sq.m. | 412,966 | 1,281 | 3.72% |
| 3-BR sq.m. | 677,135 | 2,025 | 3.59% |
| 4-BR sq.m. | 903,249 | 2,567 | 3.41% |
| 5-BR sq.m. | 1,247,546 | 3,425 | 3.29% |
| Mont Kiara | |||
| 1-BR sq.m. | 165,921 | 711 | 5.14% |
| 2-BR sq.m. | 236,637 | 895 | 4.54% |
| 3-BR sq.m. | 328,270 | 1,218 | 4.45% |
| 4-BR sq.m. | 526,604 | 2,096 | 4.78% |
| 5-BR sq.m. | 698,709 | 2,579 | 4.43% |
| Sri Hartamas | |||
| 1-BR sq.m. | 121,826 | 519 | 5.11% |
| 2-BR sq.m. | 166,683 | 753 | 5.42% |
| 3-BR sq.m. | 236,782 | 927 | 4.70% |
| 4-BR sq.m. | 548,004 | 1,680 | 3.68% |
| Taman Tun Dr. Ismail | |||
| 1-BR sq.m. | 165,920 | 726 | 5.25% |
| 2-BR sq.m. | 268,835 | 763 | 3.40% |
| 3-BR sq.m. | 285,457 | 788 | 3.31% |
| 4-BR sq.m. | 428,107 | 1,216 | 3.41% |
| 5-BR sq.m. | 561,603 | 1,602 | 3.42% |
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All yields are gross - i.e., before taxes, repair costs, ground rents, estate agents fees, and any other costs. Net yields (what you'll really earn) are typically around 1.5% to 2% lower. Source: EdgeProp Definitions: Data FAQ See also: Update Schedule |
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Condominium prices in Kuala Lumpur are reasonable at between US$1,800 to US$2,000 per square metre (sq. m.)
A stable country, a stable market. The extraordinary stability of residential property prices in Malaysia - rising in some years by 2% or 3%, falling in other years by a few per cent - means that the observer is never shocked by a sudden boom or price-collapse. In inflation-adjusted terms, prices have been rather stable for the past 15 years.
Limits to capital appreciation. Given that Malaysia is a large place and relatively thinly populated, there are limits to capital appreciation prospects (arguably, except in 'dormitory town' areas neighbouring Singapore). Therefore, the prime attraction of property ownership in Kuala Lumpur is income.
Gross rental yields have however fallen significantly:
- Condominiums of 120 sq. m. have gross returns of 4.5%, but two years ago, our researchers found that rental yields averaged over 8% for this size.
- Bungalows have really low gross rental yields at around 2.5%, and again, have fallen significantly.
Conclusion: Malaysian property is less attractive as an investment than it has been for many years, given the falling rental yields.
Round trip transaction costs are very low in Malaysia. See our Malaysia transaction costs analysis Dubai transaction costs analysis and our Malaysian home buying costs compared with other countries in Asia.