Nationwide short-term rental guidelines enter final review
The proposed framework would limit legal operations to registered premises that meet local licensing requirements, with platforms urged to verify licences before listing properties.
Malaysia’s proposed planning guidelines for short-term rental accommodation (STRA) are undergoing a final review with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) before Cabinet consideration, Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu told the Dewan Rakyat.
The Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) is developing the guidelines through PLANMalaysia alongside Motac, state governments and local authorities. Aiman Athirah said the government wants legal STRA operations restricted to registered properties that satisfy all local authority licensing conditions.
The guidelines will also go before the National Council for Local Government (MNKT) to obtain agreement ahead of adoption by state governments and local authorities. Strata properties would still have to observe rules set by their Joint Management Bodies (JMB) or Management Corporations (MC) under the Strata Management Act 2013, she said.
The government is encouraging cooperation with digital platforms on automated checks of licence status before properties are listed. Aiman Athirah said providers must remove listings for unlicensed premises and those breaching local authority conditions or existing laws. Enforcement agencies have legal powers to take action against operators, she added.
She was answering Syerleena Abdul Rashid (PH-Bukit Bendera), who asked about platform obligations to check licences, remove unlicensed listings and regulate operations.
Addressing a proposed 180-night rental cap, Aiman Athirah said a regulatory impact assessment had been completed while the initial framework was being prepared. Any limit must balance income opportunities and tourism needs with public safety, order and residents’ wellbeing, she said.
