This week's biggest housing story is still Budget 2027: the first-home stamp duty relief proposed on 9 October would cover homes up to RM750,000, but it is a proposal until the law is passed. Also this week: a Court of Appeal ruling and a ministry statement saying condo managements cannot lock owners out over unpaid fees, short-term rental rules moving towards Cabinet, and a fatal landslide in Penang that halted a hillside condo site.

Budget 2027: first-home stamp duty relief, still a proposal

Budget 2027 was tabled on 9 October 2026, and its housing measures are still what buyers are asking about. As reported by The Star, first-time buyers would pay no stamp duty on the transfer (MOT) or the loan agreement for homes up to RM500,000. For homes between RM500,001 and RM750,000, the first RM500,000 would be fully exempt and the rest would get a 50% exemption. The relief would apply to sale and purchase agreements signed from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2030. A separate full exemption is proposed for rescue contractors and original buyers in abandoned projects over the same period.

EdgeProp reported nearly RM1 billion for housing programmes, including Rumah Mesra Rakyat and Program Residensi Rakyat, plus up to RM20 billion in SJKP financing guarantees aimed at about 80,000 first-time buyers, many of them self-employed.

Why it matters: if you are buying a first home priced RM500,000–RM750,000, the signing date of your SPA may change your stamp duty bill. The current exemption (homes up to RM500,000) runs to the end of 2027. Check the final Finance Act wording with your lawyer before you rely on it. Our full cost of buying a home guide works through the numbers.

Condo managements cannot fully lock out owners in arrears

In a written reply in the Dewan Rakyat on 29 October, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said JMBs and MCs can restrict owners who owe maintenance charges, but cannot stop them reaching their own units. The reply followed a Court of Appeal decision on 26 October in a case involving the JMB of Sentral Bazar Nilai. Management bodies can still deactivate access cards and suspend facility use 14 days after a notice of arrears. They must, however, offer another way in, such as signing in at the guardhouse and using a service lift or stairs. The ministry said the Strata Management Act 2013 is being reviewed.

Why it matters: for buyers, this is a reminder to check a building's arrears level and how its JMB/MC collects fees. High arrears usually mean a weaker sinking fund. Use our condo checklist before you sign.

Short-term rental guidelines heading to Cabinet

On 26 October, Deputy Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu told Parliament that national guidelines for short-term rental accommodation (Airbnb-style stays) are being finalised. They are waiting on input from the tourism ministry before going back to Cabinet, then to the National Council for Local Government, and then to states for adoption. Only registered premises that meet local authority conditions would be allowed to operate. In strata buildings, the JMB or MC by-laws would still apply. A proposed 180-night annual cap is still being assessed and has not been decided.

Why it matters: if you are buying a condo to rent out short-term, the building's by-laws and your local council's licensing rules come first. Do not assume short-stay income will be allowed.

Penang landslide halts hillside condo works

A landslide in Taman Seri Rambai, Paya Terubong, killed a 73-year-old resident on 25 October. The Penang Island City Council stopped work on a nearby hillside condominium site and the roadworks next to it, and five families were told to evacuate as a precaution. Early findings mentioned water building up from a leaking pipe and blocked drains. The cause had not been confirmed when this was reported.

Why it matters: buyers of homes near hill slopes, or near active hillside sites, should ask the council about slope approvals and any monitoring. Our Penang area pages list ranked projects by neighbourhood.

More apartments coming to Desa ParkCity

EdgeProp reported on 26 October that contractor GDB won a RM1.02 billion job from Perdana ParkCity to build 433 apartments in Desa ParkCity. Construction is scheduled to run from November 2026 to August 2031. It adds to the supply in one of Kuala Lumpur's most sought-after townships. See how existing projects rank on our Desa ParkCity page.

Next week: Bank Negara's last rate decision of 2026

Bank Negara's Monetary Policy Committee holds its final 2026 meeting on 5 November. The OPR has been 2.75% since a cut in July 2025 and was held again on 3 September. A change would move floating-rate home loan instalments, so we will cover the decision in next week's round-up.