National Housing Policy 2026 to 2035: what it means for property

The National Housing Policy 2026 to 2035 (Dasar Perumahan Negara) sets the direction for housing in Malaysia for the next ten years. It promises four new or amended laws and new ways to help people buy or rent. Here is what it says and what it means for your work.

The policy at a glance

• Launched on 10 August 2026.
• 6 focus areas, 17 strategies and 59 action plans.
• It is a direction, not a law. Nothing changes in law until Parliament passes the new acts.
• As of October 2026, none of the four laws had been tabled in Parliament.

The four laws

Today there is no residential tenancy law. Tenancies rely on the contract plus general laws such as the Contracts Act 1950.

Affordable housing by location

The policy defines affordable housing by locality, not one national figure. The reported limits are about RM500,000 in the Klang Valley and about RM300,000 in Kelantan.

Help for buyers without payslips

The SJKP housing credit guarantee helps people without a fixed income get a home loan, such as gig workers and others without payslips. Under Budget 2026 it expands to 80,000 applicants.

New ways to own a home

• Rent-to-own: guidelines for schemes where rent goes toward buying the home.
• Shared ownership: the buyer owns part of the home at first.
• Long-term fixed-rate loans: so monthly payments stay predictable.

More rental, better data

• A shift toward rental housing, so renting becomes a proper long-term option, not only a step before buying.
• KPKT plans a big data system on housing by district, starting next year.

What it means for agents, developers and property managers

Agents and agencies: buyers without payslips now have a route through SJKP, so do not turn away gig workers too early. For rentals, the Residential Tenancy Act is likely to bring tenancy registration and a set process for rent increases and taking a unit back, so keep every tenancy, rent change and notice on record.

Developers: the Property Development Act would bring shop lots and commercial projects under one developer law, so projects such as SoHos and serviced apartments may face the same kind of rules as housing. Affordable price limits set by locality and new schemes like rent-to-own and shared ownership may shape what sells.

Property managers: the Building Managers Act and the Strata Management Act amendments both push for more accountability in high-rise management. Expect closer checks on how JMBs, MCs and their managers handle money, complaints and records.

This is a summary of a policy and news reports, not legal advice. The details of each law will only be known when the bills are tabled. Check the final text before you change how you work.