Are you an owner or operator of short-term lodging in Malaysia? If you are, you better continue reading this!
That’s because it was recently reported that residential property owners and operators who are renting out their properties for short-term stays here, such as Airbnb, are now required to register with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) by year-end. This is to allow local authorities to determine the exact number that’s currently in existence.
According to the Malay Mail Online, DBKL will be taking proactive measures of registering and studying the feasibility of the activity in different parts of Kuala Lumpur so that it will be legal for owners and operators to rent out their space.
Source: Booking.com
DBKL’s licensing and petty traders management department director Anwar Mohd Zain said there is currently no law governing such businesses despite the market growing by day. Hence, the plan to regulate such businesses will start next year.
Anwar added that information on such properties, such as their location, are sometimes not provided by the websites that advertise them, which makes it look unreliable and thus will affect the business.
“So, now as a start, we need to get them to register so that we know the size of the industry,” he told the daily.
Source: Booking.com
Another reason to implement laws on this business is due to the numerous complaints from the public. The complaints received are mainly from those residing in apartments and condominiums, as people are annoyed by the issues that come with renting some units out on a short-term basis.
“The complaints lodged are mostly on cleanliness, parking, and facilities usage of common facilities which has been a disturbance to permanent residents in the building. If they are registered, we can locate the property owners and take necessary action,” Anwar explained.
Source: New Straits Times
As such, property owners and operators that offer short-term stays via Airbnb, HomeAway, iBilik and other similar platforms can now register at the DBKL official website here. Registration will be open throughout the year.
DBKL also stated that registration is mandatory, and action will be taken against those that fail to register before the deadline, according to The Star.
Registration is free and opened to any owners, agents or companies that conduct the short-term stays without any citizenship restrictions.
For those in this business, better pay heed to this advice and register as soon as possible!
Also read: M’sians Won’t Be Able to Party Until 5am at TREC as DBKL Reviews Opening Hours
