Serviced Apartments: The Best Rental Investment in Malaysia?
Serviced apartments in Malaysia promise rental yields of 6-9%, significantly higher than the 4-5% of standard condominiums. Located in premium areas like KLCC, Mont Kiara or Bangsar, fully furnished and benefiting from constant demand from expatriates and business travelers, these properties seem to be the ideal investment to maximize rental income.
But this profitability hides realities every investor must know: high commercial charges multiplied by six for electricity, operating costs RM 2,000 higher per year, absence of HDA protection on certain projects, and limited long-term capital appreciation. The difference between a successful investment and a financial sinkhole lies in fine understanding of these mechanisms.
This comprehensive guide objectively analyzes serviced apartments: real advantages, hidden costs, detailed profitability calculations, case studies with numbers, emerging areas, and rigorous selection criteria. Discover whether serviced apartments truly constitute the best rental investment in Malaysia, for which investor profile, and how to maximize your chances of success.