Landlord checklist, step by step
- Prepare the unit: repair leaks and faulty fittings, clean it thoroughly, test appliances and decide exactly which furniture and items stay.
- Set a realistic asking rent: compare homes with a similar area, property type, size, furnishing and condition. An advertised rent is not necessarily the final agreed rent.
- Prepare accurate marketing: use clear current photos and state the rent, furnishing, parking, availability date, tenancy length, rules and what is excluded.
- Arrange safe viewings: confirm the visitor, keep valuables away and record any offer in writing instead of relying on a verbal promise.
- Screen the tenant consistently: confirm identity, employment or income evidence, intended occupants, move-in date, pets and the reason for moving. Handle personal documents securely.
- Put everything in the tenancy agreement: rent and due date, deposits, utilities, repairs, access, renewal, early termination, inventory and the condition for returning deposits. Have the agreement properly prepared and stamped where required.
- Document the handover: take dated photos, sign the inventory, record meter readings, keys and access cards, and give the tenant a clear contact for repairs.
- Manage the tenancy: issue payment records, respond to repair reports, keep management and property charges current, and discuss renewal before the tenancy ends.
Frequently asked questions
How should I set the rent for my Johor Bahru property?
Compare current listings with the same area, type, size, furnishing, parking and condition. The overall median asking rent on this site today is RM 2,700, but a close like-for-like comparison is more useful than the citywide figure.
What documents should I ask from a tenant?
Common checks include identity and evidence of employment or income. Ask only for what you need, explain why, keep it secure and do not share it unnecessarily.
Should I use a written tenancy agreement?
Yes. A written agreement records the rent, deposits, responsibilities, inventory and what happens at renewal or early termination. Have it properly prepared and stamped where required.
Sources and method
Figures come from the property listings published on benfooproperty.com on 7 November 2026, refreshed daily. They are asking prices and asking rents set by owners, not sale prices, and medians are used so a few very high or low prices do not distort the result. Loan examples use the stated assumptions and are not a bank offer. Written and reviewed by Ben Foo, registered estate negotiator (REN 33376), PropNex Realty Sdn. Bhd.; text last reviewed 28 October 2026.