Stamp Duty, Legal Fees & Hidden Costs Explained

The purchase price is only the headline number. Budget for these line items before you compare projects on price alone — rates and scales are set by law and are revised periodically, so confirm current figures with your lawyer.

Memorandum of Transfer (MOT) stamp duty

Malaysia applies tiered stamp duty rates on the transfer instrument based on the property value, with the rate rising at higher price bands. The exact tiers and percentages have been revised in recent budgets — ask your lawyer for the schedule that applies to your purchase date.

Legal fees

Solicitors’ fees for the Sale & Purchase Agreement and, if applicable, the loan agreement follow a regulated scale that also rises with property value, plus disbursements for searches and administrative filings.

Loan-related costs

If you finance the purchase, expect loan-agreement stamping, a bank processing fee, and mortgage reducing term assurance (MRTA) or similar insurance, which is optional but commonly offered.

Valuation and disbursements

Banks typically require an independent valuation, billed to the buyer. Add smaller disbursements for title searches, bankruptcy searches and administrative charges.

Day-one holding costs

On handover, expect a maintenance fee deposit (commonly a few months in advance) plus a sinking fund contribution, quit rent, assessment (cukai taksiran) and fire insurance if not bundled with your loan.

NOTE: Not to scale. Exterior areas may vary to suit site conditions. Unit numbers, plans, layouts and other information are intended to give a general indication of the proposed design only and are subject to change and/or amendments as may be required or as directed by the Relevant Authorities / Engineer(s) / Architect. Kindly refer to the Sale & Purchase Agreement for actual specification and building layout. Artist impressions may be work-in-progress.